Toyooka City History Museum NEWSToyooka City Designated Cultural Property

Eirakukan Kabuki Costumes and Related Items

Apr.

No.

Nyou,Hidaka-tyo,Toyooka-shi,Hyogo

Eirakukan is a Kabuki theater that opened in 1901, and its owners were a family who started
a theater costume rental business around 1886. Costumes were purchased and brought to Osakaand Kyoto, and they were collected so in the event a theater went out of business, the costumes
would remain together.Eirakukan became the number one costume rental shop in the Tajima regionof Hyogo Prefecture, but around 1955, Kabuki performances became less frequent and by 1965,costumes were no longer rented out.
There are 5,127 Kabuki costumes and related items that are designated as cultural properties ofToyooka City. In addition to 1,533 costumes, obi (kimono sashes), props, wigs, scripts and tsukecho(books in which costumes and wigs are recorded for each performer) also call this collection home.The
Kabuki costumes range from luxurious robes donned by the leading performers to upcycled everyday
clothing.
Many of the costume’s designs and motifs are original to the area and not found in costumes fromother regions, making them an important historical source for Kabuki costumes from the Kansai
region (western Japan).Tsukecho and other papers provide information on how frequently costumes
were lent, popular performances, and other aspects of Kabuki theater culture.

Gorgeous Jidaimono Costumes
Kabuki performances are usually divided into two categories: jidaimono and sewamono . Jidaimono
refers to performances set in a time before the Edo period (1603-1867), while sewamono refers to plays
set within the Edo period.Sewamono performances are contemporary performances set in the Edo period
primarily focusing on everyday townspeople, resulting in the actors’ costumes resembling ordinary
kimono. However, jidaimono performances tend to feature characters such as military, nobles, andprincesses, resulting in fantastical, extravagant costumes.The costumes on display are from jidaimono
performances, worn by actors portraying warriors, bandits, princesses, and high-ranking oiran(courtesans).
The costumes are covered in embroidery with threads of gold and other hues, some so elaboratelythat the base cloth of the costume is obscured.Kabuki was historically performed on a stage or within
the grounds of a Shinto shrine without bright modern-day stage lights. The golden embroidery of thecostumes helped to provide more glimmer among the dim lights.
Many of the performances were jidaimono and were very popular. Through the beautiful costumes ofKabuki, it is very likely that everyday people flocked to performances in the hopes of experiencing anotherworld.

Ken ran

In Commemoration of the Designation as a Toyooka City Cultural Property

絢爛 Eirakukan Kabuki Costume Exhibition

Kabuki, a type of Japanese theater performance, was historically the epitome of entertainment
for Japan’s people. Kabuki flourished in Toyooka City, and it was performed on rural stages and inplayhouses until the 1960s.
Eirakukan, a Kabuki theater located in modern-day Toyooka City’s Izushi district, was both a playhouseand a costume rental shop, renting out Kabuki costumes and wigs to various locations.
In April 2023, these Kabuki costumes were designated as cultural properties of Toyooka City. As one of
the best collections of Kabuki costumes in Japan, Eirakukan’s collection is carefully protected and will behanded down to future generations. We hope that through this special exhibition, visitors will be able toappreciate these costumes for their cultural importance.
We welcome you to appreciate these wonderous, dazzling clothing designs with elaborate embroidery
unique to Kabuki costumes.
■ Session

Apr.28,2023 ～ Jun.27

jin ba ori

陣羽織
Worn overa warrior’ s armoro

mi goromo

小忌衣Come and see,the sparkling costumes!
kamishimo

Loungewear worn by
high-ranking men裃Carp climbing up
a waterfall

Worn by a highranking warrior

uchi kake

打掛

Lattice work

Worn by oiran (courtesans)and princesses, distinct by
its long, trailing hem.

Chinese phoenix and paulownia
Raindragon and wave
Peacock andpeonies
Winged dragon

Dragon designon latticework

Tsutenkyo Bridge at Tofukuji Temple
in Kyoto, famous for its fall foliage

DragonChinese lionand Peonies

meSa"Tatewaku"patterneemth

Chinese lionand Peonies

Decorated withcelebratory
patterns andmotifs

Horizontal
stripes withdragons andpine needles

Red long-sleeved kimono
are worn by princesses whoare passionately in love
Red demonha ori

羽織 ･ 着付Treasure ship,dragon-head
prow,crane and turtle

Heavily designed with luxurious embroidery

ki tukeWorn as a set by aleading male actor
Bamboo grovewith bamboo
shoot pattern

Chinese phoenix,turtle
and lobster

han ki tuke

ju ban

半着付 ・ 襦袢 A short kimono worn when putting on

Chinese phoenix and paulownia

yo tenhakama (a traditional Japanese pant-四天Dragon and tiger

Costumes worn bybandits and war
correspondents

like garment)
Crane and peonies

Crane and turtle"Sayagata"patternChinese phoenix

Haze and pine