At six o’clock, the seats were filled to capacity, and we started the program.

First, I gave a speech as representative of Green Valley, thanking the owner, Mr. Sasaki, and the surrounding residents for their support. I did brag a bit about how wonderful the members of Green Valley are… (haha)

Finally the entertainment begins. First up was a traditional auspicious play by Ningyo Yoriiza. Three performances by three puppets were both solemn and humorous.

Next, was the act everyone had been looking forward to, a short skit by Minatoya no Sacchan, entitled “Tsuma Koi Dochu”. She performed to a song by Noriaki Shimizu. Apparently, Shimizu’s father performed with Sacchan on this very stage, fifty years ago.

Someone yelled, “Sacchan, you’re number one!”
An audience member, caught up in the excitement, even rushed the stage.

After the performance ended, the theater was enveloped in an unearthly excitement. It sounded as if the Yorii-za was roaring. Sacchan also seemed to be filled with emotion.

Here she is after receiving a gift…

It was in this fired-up atmosphere we started the feature film, Sanjuro. It may have been because of the light rain, but it wasn’t as hot as I had feared it would be.

“How about a drink, as a sign of our friendship…

After the film, the Yorii local Awa Odori group, Ouka-ren took the stage for the finale.

The whole program came together really well and three hours went by in a flash. Looking back, it was a night where Minatoya no Sacchan stole the stage from Toshiro Mifune.

The birth of a new star in Yorii. (It might be more appropriate to call it a comeback, along with the return of the Yorii-za theater)

The best part was being able to be a part of this comeback after a half-century break.

Big thanks to everyone who helped out with this event.

*There will be a piece about the Yorii-za project on TV Asahi on August 16 (2007) starting at 6:17pm on the program called “News You”. Check it out.