Ponto-chō (先斗町) is a hanamachi district in Kyoto, Japan, known for its geisha and maiko, and is home to many of the city's okiya and traditional tea houses. Like Gion, Ponto-chō is famous for the preservation of forms of traditional architecture and entertainment.
The name "Ponto-chō" is said to be a portmanteau of the Portuguese word "ponte" (bridge) and the Japanese word "-chō", meaning town, block or street.[1]
District
Ponto-chō as a district is for the most part constructed around a long, narrow alleyway, running from Shijō-dōri to Sanjō-dōri, one block west of the Kamo River. This location is also known as the traditional location for the beginning of kabuki as an art form, and a statue of kabuki's founder, Izumo no Okuni, stands on the opposite side of the river. The district's crest is a stylized water plover, or chidori.
Cultural features
Geisha (known locally as geiko) and maiko have existed in Ponto-chō since at least the 16th century, as have prostitution and other forms of entertainment. Today, the area, lit by traditional lanterns at night, contains a mix of exclusive restaurants — often featuring outdoor riverside dining on wooden patios — geisha houses and tea houses, brothels, bars, and cheap eateries.
The area is also home to the Ponto-chō Kaburenjō Theatre at the Sanjō-dōri end of the street. This theatre functions as a practice hall for geisha and maiko, and has functioned as the location for the annual Kamogawa Odori — a combination performance of traditional dance, kabuki-like theatre, singing and the playing of traditional instruments — since the 1870s.
In the 1970s, American anthropologist Liza Dalby visited Kyoto for a year as part of her doctoral studies into the institution of geisha in modern Japanese society, eventually unofficially becoming a geisha as part of her research. Dalby later wrote a well-received book, Geisha, about the experience.[2]
ponto, chō, 先斗町, hanamachi, district, kyoto, japan, known, geisha, maiko, home, many, city, okiya, traditional, houses, like, gion, famous, preservation, forms, traditional, architecture, entertainment, morning, night, night, contents, etymology, district, cul. Ponto chō 先斗町 is a hanamachi district in Kyoto Japan known for its geisha and maiko and is home to many of the city s okiya and traditional tea houses Like Gion Ponto chō is famous for the preservation of forms of traditional architecture and entertainment Ponto chō in the morning Ponto chō at night Ponto chō at night Contents 1 Etymology 2 District 3 Cultural features 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksEtymology EditThe name Ponto chō is said to be a portmanteau of the Portuguese word ponte bridge and the Japanese word chō meaning town block or street 1 District EditPonto chō as a district is for the most part constructed around a long narrow alleyway running from Shijō dōri to Sanjō dōri one block west of the Kamo River This location is also known as the traditional location for the beginning of kabuki as an art form and a statue of kabuki s founder Izumo no Okuni stands on the opposite side of the river The district s crest is a stylized water plover or chidori Cultural features EditGeisha known locally as geiko and maiko have existed in Ponto chō since at least the 16th century as have prostitution and other forms of entertainment Today the area lit by traditional lanterns at night contains a mix of exclusive restaurants often featuring outdoor riverside dining on wooden patios geisha houses and tea houses brothels bars and cheap eateries The area is also home to the Ponto chō Kaburenjō Theatre at the Sanjō dōri end of the street This theatre functions as a practice hall for geisha and maiko and has functioned as the location for the annual Kamogawa Odori a combination performance of traditional dance kabuki like theatre singing and the playing of traditional instruments since the 1870s In the 1970s American anthropologist Liza Dalby visited Kyoto for a year as part of her doctoral studies into the institution of geisha in modern Japanese society eventually unofficially becoming a geisha as part of her research Dalby later wrote a well received book Geisha about the experience 2 See also EditGion Kamishichiken Miyagawacho ShimabaraReferences Edit Dalby L 2000 Geisha 3rd ed Vintage Random House London Dalby Liza 1983 Geikoa Berkeley University Of California Press ISBN 0 9658812 6 1 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pontocho Ponto cho Noren kai in Japanese Kamogawa Odori Pontochō Kaburenjō Theater 35 00 29 N 135 46 16 E 35 007969 N 135 771111 E 35 007969 135 771111 Coordinates 35 00 29 N 135 46 16 E 35 007969 N 135 771111 E 35 007969 135 771111 Pontochō Kaburenjō Theater This Kyoto Prefecture location article is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Ponto chō amp oldid 1016565779, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
