Changes

==History==

==History==

Kabuki-za first opened on 21 November 1889, in a rather Western-style building. This was replaced in [[1911]] by the second Kabuki-za, constructed in the now-iconic hybrid style, incorporating elements of Azuchi-Momoyama or Edo period castle architecture.<ref>Gallery labels, History of Kabuki-za displays, Kabuki-za, summer 2013.[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/9339763818/in/photostream/][https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/9336978045/in/photostream/]</ref>

Kabuki-za first opened on 21 November 1889, in a rather Western-style building. This was replaced in [[1911]] by the second Kabuki-za, constructed in the now-iconic hybrid style, incorporating elements of [[Azuchi-Momoyama period|Azuchi-Momoyama]] or [[Edo period]] [[castles|castle]] architecture.<ref>Gallery labels, History of Kabuki-za displays, Kabuki-za, summer 2013.[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/9339763818/in/photostream/][https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/9336978045/in/photostream/]</ref>

The theatre was destroyed in an electrical fire in 1921, in the 1923 Great Kantô Earthquake, and again in the 1945 Allied bombing of Tokyo, but was rebuilt each time, the latter time in concrete, reopening in January 1951. The theatre was torn down intentionally for the first time in 2010, after closing that April, and was built anew, re-opening in April 2013. The newly reconstructed Kabuki-za retains much of its former appearance, especially in terms of the main facade, but is more modernized in terms of its earthquake protection, and accessibility for the handicapped. A modern steel-and-glass skyscraper structure was built directly behind, and attached to, the newly rebuilt Meiji-style theatre, to house the offices of the Shôchiku corporation.

The theatre was destroyed in an electrical fire in 1921, in the 1923 Great Kantô Earthquake, and again in the 1945 Allied bombing of Tokyo, but was rebuilt each time, the latter time in concrete, reopening in January 1951. The theatre was torn down intentionally for the first time in 2010, after closing that April, and was built anew, re-opening in April 2013. The newly reconstructed Kabuki-za retains much of its former appearance, especially in terms of the main facade, but is more modernized in terms of its earthquake protection, and accessibility for the handicapped. A modern steel-and-glass skyscraper structure was built directly behind, and attached to, the newly rebuilt Meiji-style theatre, to house the offices of the Shôchiku corporation.

==Structure==

==Structure==

The structure itself is, in its unique way, very typical of [[Meiji period architecture]], incorporating many elements of Western architectural styles, while drawing upon traditional Japanese motifs. The architectural style draws not upon kabuki theatres of the [[Edo period]], built chiefly in wood, but rather upon [[castle]] architecture of the [[Azuchi-Momoyama Period|Azuchi-Momoyama]] or Edo periods. The southwest-facing facade resembles two towers, flanking the entrance, which is topped with a wide ''[[kara-hafu]]'' gable.

The structure itself is, in its unique way, very typical of [[Meiji period architecture]], incorporating many elements of Western architectural styles, while drawing upon traditional Japanese motifs. The architectural style draws not upon kabuki theatres of the [[Edo period]], built chiefly in wood, but rather upon castle architecture of the Azuchi-Momoyama or Edo periods. The southwest-facing facade resembles two towers, flanking the entrance, which is topped with a wide ''[[kara-hafu]]'' gable.

Since its reopening in 2013, the new Kabuki-za connects more directly into Higashi-Ginza subway station, with an underground basement lobby filled with souvenir stands, coffee shops, and a convenience store. The floor directly above the theatre includes an art gallery space, café, and other shops, as well as a rooftop [[Japanese garden]] allowing close-up views of the traditional-style rooftiles. The office tower soars many stories above these areas which are open to the public.

Since its reopening in 2013, the new Kabuki-za connects more directly into Higashi-Ginza subway station, with an underground basement lobby filled with souvenir stands, coffee shops, and a convenience store. The floor directly above the theatre includes an art gallery space, café, and other shops, as well as a rooftop [[Japanese garden]] allowing close-up views of the traditional-style rooftiles. The office tower soars many stories above these areas which are open to the public.