I received a
flyer some time ago advertising a Japanese Opera, and since it was
relatively cheap for students, Nicky, Erin and I all decided to go. It
was my first time making an account and paying for something completely
in Japanese, so I was pretty excited. The opera was held at the only
opera house in Japan that is university run, so naturally they favor
students in their pricing.
The opera was directly after our tea
ceremony class though, and on the opposite end of town, so we had to
rush home to change. It was a good excuse to dress fancy, so I wore my
best black dress and heels, and did my hair to the side over my
shoulder, with one of Nicky’s fancy hair ties. She also let me borrow a
black shawl. I think I looked pretty good, though we didn’t get any
pictures of me that night (something that is turning out to be pretty
common, as I am the photographer on this trip).... anyway, naturally,
the first thing we have to do once we’re dressed is get to the opera
house.... by bicycle.
I got so many looks! It was hilarious.
Biking as fast as we can in dresses and heels and done up hair down the
streets of Kyoto, on a orange, green and red bike. It’s actually not
hard to bike around in a dress or heels, just somewhat embarrassing.
We got to the opera house ten minutes
late, but it turned out to be a blessing since, as the show had already
started, we were allowed to take the closest seats available to the
door, which gave us a fantastic view of the opera from the second level.
I
thought the opera was interesting, if a little hard to follow. I liked
the story, and the singers, and the songs, but I thought the set could
have had a little more effort put in. It didn’t change at all.... I
think the prettiest moment was when the crane, as a woman, cried as snow
fell through the bamboo. It was a very Japanese story, with no happy
ending, but the man had misused his gift, so I felt it fitting he should
be left with nothing. Over all, a good story. I’m looking forward to
the next play we’re planning to see in November.