The costume fitting and program photo shoot for the dance performance "Kamogawa Odori" in Kyoto's red-light district, Pontocho, took place on March 28, 2024 at the Pontocho Kaburenjo in Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City. This year, the theme was ''The Tale of Genji,'' and geisha and maiko appeared in colorful costumes for filming.
The first part of the dance drama, ''Swift to the Purple Clouds,'' is a new work that condenses the world of The Tale of Genji. The works are elaborately drawn with exotic music and well-toned lines that match the time signature.
The second part of the pure dance ''Ushiromizuki'' has a total of 7 scenes including the finale. The mysterious love affair between Murasaki Shikibu and Fujiwara no Michinaga, and the feelings of Rokujo Miyasudokoro for Hikaru Genji are expressed through charming dance.
Twenty geisha and maiko participated in the filming for the program, wearing costumes for each scene. In the fourth scene, ''Pale Moon Shadow,'' Hikaru Genji and Murasaki Ue struck a pose while changing the direction of their dancing fans and bodies in front of a background depicting a sky with pale clouds.
Ichikoto (20 years old), a maiko who debuted in 2020, will change her collar in late May. She expressed her enthusiasm, saying, ''This is the last Kamogawa dance that I will be allowed to perform as a maiko.I will do my best to show off my charm.''
A donation box will be set up at the performance venue to collect donations for the Noto Peninsula earthquake. At the Pontocho Kabukai, she is collecting donations from teahouses and geishas, and will soon donate 1 million yen to the Japanese Red Cross Society.
Kamogawa Odori will be held at the Pontocho Kaburenjo from May 1st to May 24th. There will be three performances every day at 12:30 p.m., 2:20 p.m., and 4:10 p.m. Tickets range from 7,000 to 4,000 yen. Telephone reservations can be made from April 1st to 075 (221) 2025.
