An All-New Host Experience That Celebrates Traditional Dance
“Koushoku Ichidai Otoko,” a group of hosts from Smappa!Group will perform Nihon Buyo (Japanese classical dance) inside Tokyu Kabukicho Tower in celebration of the launch of their official fan club.
The group has been intensely training since June 2024 under the guidance of Yamamura Wakashizuki, a Kyoto-born dance master of the Yamamura school of kamigata-mai theater from the Kansai region. Nihon Buyo is a form of traditional dance that originates from the 17th century during the Edo era. It is based on the techniques of kabuki, noh and folk dance, and is characterized by its graceful gestures and dramatic storytelling.
Smappa!Group is aiming to redefine the Kabukicho area not just as an entertainment district, but as a hub for cultural creation and the celebration of Japanese traditions.
The Koushoki Ichidai Otoko members have already successfully completed two maizarae performance recitals. In this special one-night-only performance, the group will perform classic pieces such as “Hakusen,” “Urashima” and “Nami no Ue,”as the members reflect on their dedicated training. This event offers a rare opportunity for audiences to experience the emotional depth and delicate physical expressions of Japanese traditional arts within the urban landscape of Shinjuku and the Kabukicho neighborhood. The host group’s name translates to, “The Life of an Amorous Man,” inspired by the 1682 novel Koushoku Ichidai Otoko.
Performing members include Maki Tezuka, Ami Osaki, Takeru, Aki, Jotaro Kujo, Mitsuki, Uta, Tenson, Ito, Ryuji and Tier One.
