Changes

Beginning in the early decades of the Edo period, there developed a small ''yûkaku'' (red light district), consisting of six teahouses, which grew larger and more prominent over the course of the Edo period. By the [[Hoei|Hôei]] era (1704-1711), there were 162 courtesans and 60 teahouses. Growing to 70 prominent teahouses and 1000 courtesans, and three or four ''[[joruri|jôruri]]'' playhouses, by the [[Kansei]] era (1789-1801), Furuichi came to be known as the third red-light district in the country. The most prominent teahouses in the district were the Sugimoto-ya, [[Aburaya]], and Bizen-ya, with the latter being the most prominent multi-storied building in the area.  

Beginning in the early decades of the Edo period, there developed a small ''yûkaku'' (red light district), consisting of six teahouses, which grew larger and more prominent over the course of the Edo period. By the [[Hoei|Hôei]] era (1704-1711), there were 162 courtesans and 60 teahouses. Growing to 70 prominent teahouses and 1000 courtesans, and three or four ''[[joruri|jôruri]]'' playhouses, by the [[Kansei]] era (1789-1801), Furuichi came to be known as the third red-light district in the country. The most prominent teahouses in the district were the Sugimoto-ya, [[Aburaya]], and Bizen-ya, with the latter being the most prominent multi-storied building in the area.  

The district was also famous for its Ise Ondo dances, held in the summer, and for its ''[[jishibai]]'' (local) kabuki performances. Ise Kabuki was a gateway for many Edo period actors to success in the professional licensed theatres of the big cities, and the Ise Kabuki was very popular among pilgrims and other travelers. It was even said "if you can't make it in Ise, you'll never tread on the cypress stages of Kyoto and Osaka." Many plays were also debuted and tested out in Ise before opening in the big cities. One of the most successful and popular of these was the kabuki version of ''[[Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura]]'', which premiered as a ''[[bunraku]]'' play in Osaka in [[1747]]/11, and was then performed for the first time as a kabuki two months later, in [[1748]]/1, in Furuichi.

The district was also famous for its [[Ise Ondo]] dances, held in the summer, and for its ''[[jishibai]]'' (local) kabuki performances. Ise Kabuki was a gateway for many Edo period actors to success in the professional licensed theatres of the big cities, and the Ise Kabuki was very popular among pilgrims and other travelers. It was even said "if you can't make it in Ise, you'll never tread on the cypress stages of Kyoto and Osaka." Many plays were also debuted and tested out in Ise before opening in the big cities. One of the most successful and popular of these was the kabuki version of ''[[Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura]]'', which premiered as a ''[[bunraku]]'' play in Osaka in [[1747]]/11, and was then performed for the first time as a kabuki two months later, in [[1748]]/1, in Furuichi.

A marker can still be seen today identifying the site of the "Osugi to Otama" ("Osugi and Otama") theatre.

A marker can still be seen today identifying the site of the "Osugi to Otama" ("Osugi and Otama") entertainment hall, which seems to have been known chiefly for its [[shamisen]] performances. The three kabuki theatres in the town, known simply as the ''Furuichi San-za'' (lit. "Furuichi Three Theatres"), saw performances every day.<ref name=furuichikabuki>"[http://www.hyakugo.co.jp/mie/01/12/k04.htm Ise Furuichi Kabuki]." Subarashiki Mie ("Wonderful/Magnificent Mie Prefecture"). Accessed 28 January 2011.</ref>

A fire broke out in [[Dairinji]], a temple closely associated with the ''yûkaku'', on [[1852]]/6/27, and spread, ultimately destroying 280 buildings. At this time, there were only 40 prominent teahouses, and 780 girls.

A fire broke out in [[Dairinji]], a temple closely associated with the ''yûkaku'', on [[1852]]/6/27, and spread, ultimately destroying 280 buildings. At this time, there were only 40 prominent teahouses, and 780 girls.

Today, little remains of the teahouses, inns, playhouses, and other lively centers of activity of Edo period Furuichi, except for stones and other markers identifying historical sites, and the roughly 200-year-old Makichi Ryokan, which provides something of a sense of what the remainder of the neighborhood once looked like.

Today, little remains of the teahouses, inns, playhouses, and other lively centers of activity of Edo period Furuichi, except for stones and other markers identifying historical sites, and the roughly 200-year-old Makichi Ryokan, which provides something of a sense of what the remainder of the neighborhood once looked like. Regular kabuki performances ended in 1955, but in 1995, a "Furuichi Kabuki Preservation Society" (''Furuichi Kabuki Hozonkai'') was founded, which has since then organized ''jishibai'' performances every autumn (usually in October). Most often, the play performed is ''[[Ise Ondo Koi no Netaba]]'', which was based on a real event that happened at the Aburaya Teahouse in 1796.<ref name=furuichikabuki/>

==References==

==References==

*[http://www.dairinji.com/ Dairinji Homepage]. 2008. Accessed 22 November 2010.

*[http://www.dairinji.com/ Dairinji Homepage]. 2008. Accessed 22 November 2010.

[[Category:Cities and Towns]]

[[Category:Cities and Towns]]