### Asakusa Roku-gu and the Transition of Popular Culture (1890s-1950s)

### Asakusa Roku-gu and the Transition of Popular Culture (1890s-1950s)

Asakusa Roku-gu flourished as the center of Japanese entertainment culture from the late Meiji period (1868-1912) to the early Showa period (1926-1989). Theaters, movie theaters, and yose theaters were clustered in this area, and the area was a beloved temple of entertainment for the common people. Behind this development was the modernization and urbanization of Japan and the maturation of popular culture.

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#### **The Beginning of Development and the Late Meiji Period**
In the late Meiji Era, Asakusa's six wards were formed as the entertainment center for the citizens of Tokyo. 1893 saw the birth of the Roku-gu entertainment district, and a succession of playhouses and freak shows opened. In particular, such landmarks as the "Denkikan" and the "Nakaza" attracted audiences. At this time, Nakamura Utaemon (**Nakamura Utaemon I)** and **Ogami Kikugoro (Onoe Kikugoro VI)**, the proprietors of the Roku-gu entertainment district, became popular, attracting many people as a place where common people could enjoy easy entertainment.

Urbanization in modern Japan also supported the development of Asakusa Roku-ward. With the development of railroads and streetcars, the area attracted attention as a geographically convenient location that could be easily accessed from the countryside.

--- Asakusa Rokku

#### **Taisho Era: The heyday of Asakusa Opera and Movies**
During the Taisho era (1912-1926), a new type of entertainment called "Asakusa Opera" emerged. In particular, the "Teikoku-kan" and "Asakusa-za" theaters became the bases for such stars as **Yoshie Fujiwara** and **Takashi Iba**. Their Western-style operatic productions became very popular among the common people.

At the same time, the number of movie theaters began to increase, and Asakusa Roku-ward became known as the "Hollywood of Japan. Movie companies such as Shochiku and Nikkatsu operated movie theaters and led the development of Japanese cinema through the transition from motion pictures (silent films) to talkies (voiced films). **Movie stars such as Tsumasaburo Bando** and Ryunosuke Tsukigata** became the object of admiration among the general public, and Asakusa established itself as a center of popular culture.

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#### **Early Showa Period: Fusion of Modern and Retro**.
In the early Showa period, Asakusa's six wards produced an even more diverse culture. Entertainment developed in abundance, including the birth of reviews (musical-style shows) and comedians. The "Franceza," which became famous as the center of Asakusa reviews in the Showa period, produced stars such as **Kenichi Enomoto (Enoken) ** and **Roppa Furukawa**. Their humor and acting attracted many audiences.

On the other hand, the Great Kanto Earthquake (1923) and World War II (1940s) also affected the Asakusa Roku-gu area, causing it to temporarily lose its vitality. However, through reconstruction after the earthquake and after the war, the revival of popular entertainment was promoted. Especially in the postwar period, grassroots theaters and cinemas once again gained attention as places for people's spiritual healing, thanks to the efforts of theater owner **KOBAYASHI Ichizo**.

---KOBAYASHI ICHIZO

#### **Decline of Asakusa Roku-gu and its impact on the present day**.
With the start of the high-growth period, the center of entertainment shifted to areas such as Ginza, Shinjuku, and Shibuya. With the spread of television, movie theaters and theaters closed one after another, and the Asakusa Roku-ward lost its luster. However, the yose culture was kept alive by such masters as **Sanyutei Enso (VI) ** and **Katsura Bunraku (VIII) **, who supported the "Asakusa Engei Hall.

Today, attempts are being made to revive popular culture through yose and events such as the Asakusa Engei Hall and the Asakusa Public Hall. The history of Asakusa Roku-gu has been passed down through the generations as a symbolic example of the transition of Japanese entertainment culture.

--- Asakusa Roku-gu

Asakusa Roku-gu was an integral part of Japan's modern entertainment history as a stage for stars such as **Yoshie Fujiwara**, **Tsumasaburo Bando**, and **Kenichi Enomoto**. Unraveling its history reveals the underlying power of popular culture that sustains the laughter, joy, and vitality of the lives of ordinary people.