"Otoko-no-Hanamichi" is the story of friendship and obligations between two men!

 
A star actor from the old Osaka, who plays female roles, is on his way to old Tokyo with his companions. The troupe believes in their success with the star actor, Utaemon. He was, however, told by doctor that he would become blind in three months. Desperately trying to hide the news from his companions, desperation and sadness are all that are in his mind. One day, he met Genseki at an inn, a man who studied medicine in Nagasaki. Dr Genseki found out that Utaemon was almost blind and offered to cure his eyes. Although the doctor was successful, he refused to take any money from Utaemon.
"Become the best actor in Edo (old Tokyo)! I'll do my best to be a great doctor. When I need you, then you can return the favor!"
Some years later, Dr Genseki was visiting the lord Kashiwabara at Ryotei (excellent restaurant) Ebisu-Ya in Edo, traveling with the herb doctor, Doh-An. They had been enjoying Japanese rice wine together, and Doh-An showed his dancing abilities. The lord Kashiwabara asked Dr Genseki to dance for him as well. But he humbly refused, saying only "I can cure people but, dancing is something completely different." Those who have power hardly want to negociate with those lower than them, you know? 
 

The lord gives him an order, "Call the best actor in Edo, Utaemon instead, or I will kill you!" Meanwhile, Utaemon was playing a tragic love story "Yaoya-Oshichi" on a stage which is well-known for Bunraku. -Look at him! He is just like a puppet being manipulated by a puppeteer!
Between scenes, he received a letter from Dr Genseki and learned of his crisis. The audience is waiting for him. So, what do you think Utaemon will do?
 

 

Kids play brilliantly on the float! Also, it was so adorable to see their conversations backstage!

 
Before the play started, I went to the back of the float to see the kids. They were beautifully made-up and waiting for their performance on the chairs. I heard about a photo competition for next year’s poster. No wonder why lots of older people with fancy cameras couldn’t stop shooting pictures of the photogenic objects. To my surprise, the little Kabuki performers were all girls! It's actually a Girls' Kabuki! Wow! I got a copy of the Kyo-Machi's brochure and read the comments in it after the play. They talk so adorably, but also think like a professional actresses! I could understand that they learned how to perform and express each role’s feeling, even thoug they are all under 12, some are just 9-years-old. They are geniuses!
Only two of the eight districts show their performances every year, which means each district plays once four years. Kids also know it and understand their responsibilities. But they trust grownups who support them, and seemed not to be nervous at all.