[Nagoya] Osu Engeijo: A place that fosters connections and enriches the soul, connecting with the future

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Osu Shopping Street, known as Japan's most vibrant shopping street, is a vibrant area with approximately 1,200 stores. With a wide variety of shops selling everything from electronics and secondhand clothing to gourmet food, it's always bustling with activity. Located just a few minutes by train from Nagoya Station, this shopping street stretches from Osu Station to Kamimaezu Station on the subway. Enjoy classic Nagoya cuisine, as well as popular B-grade gourmet food, international cuisine, long-established restaurants, set meal restaurants, and coffee shops. This area is popular with tourists, both domestic and international, for its foodie and shopping experiences. Osu Shopping Street, with its charming blend of old and new and its "hodgepodge culture" that incorporates various cultures, has cultivated Nagoya culture as a hub for its culture. Located in one corner of Osu Shopping Street, the Osu Engeijo Theater, which has continued to preserve its culture since the Edo period, is known as the only vaudeville theater in the Chukyo region. Manager Yazaki Michiya says he wants to pass on the Osu Engei Hall to future generations.

A culture that continues from the Edo period

The history of the Osu Engeijo dates back to the Edo period. In the early 18th century, Tokugawa Yoshimune implemented the Kyoho Reforms under the Edo Shogunate in order to rebuild its finances, leading to a widespread trend toward frugality. However, Tokugawa Muneharu, lord of the Owari domain, opposed this and promoted an open-door policy. His encouragement of the arts and performing arts led to the construction of many theaters in Osu, making it a thriving area known as "Nagoya, the Nagoya of the arts." In 1965, the Showa Engeijo opened. As a vaudeville venue showcasing rakugo, manzai, and comedy sketches, many entertainers honed their skills, and even famous stars took to the stage. While once bustling with activity every day, the changing times led to financial difficulties and the aging of the building, leading to its sad closure in 2014.

Human connections bring Osu Engei Hall back to life

The landlord's desire to revive the Osu Engei Hall reached his junior lawyer, Yazaki, through a fellow lawyer and classmate. From there, the person chosen was Yazaki's younger brother, the current manager. He received a request to "leave the management of the Osu Engei Hall to him." As a family man, Yazaki initially considered the offer difficult, but childhood memories stirred him. He recalled his days attending his father's company, located on the second floor of a Tokyo comedy hall, and becoming familiar with the unique atmosphere. Further encouraged by his brother's enthusiasm, Yazaki decided to take on the role of manager of the Osu Engei Hall. However, running the hall as a business was difficult, so they began running it on a volunteer basis as a general incorporated association. While searching for funding, Yazaki's brother reached out to his former colleagues from the Nagoya Junior Chamber of Commerce, and supporters began to emerge one after another. Witnessing this, Yazaki recalls, "I felt the strength of the connections between people in Nagoya that I never saw in Tokyo ." Currently, the lanterns hanging at Osu Engeijo Hall list the names of the sponsors who provided support. The revival was also aided by the cooperation of the Osu Shopping District. "The connections with so many people created a miracle," says Yazaki. This year, Osu Engeijo Hall celebrates its 10th anniversary. The power of mutual support keeps its lights burning to this day.

The same stage will never be repeated, so enjoy the laughter that is born in this moment.

The appeal of yose lies above all in the improvisational arts. The program is decided based on the mood of the audience that day, and each performer skillfully creates a flow leading up to the final "grand final act." This interplay between performers, audience, and art ensures that no two performances are ever the same. Furthermore, there are no recordings or archives of the performance, creating a special, one-off experience that can only be enjoyed by those present. Furthermore, the dark humor and free-flowing exchanges that emerge in a closed setting have become even more precious in today's social media society. While younger generations may have fewer opportunities to experience traditional performing arts, as they get older, the profound depth of these performances resonates with them more than flashy entertainment. "Right now is the time I'm enjoying yose more than ever," says Yazaki.

I want to pass on this place that cultivates spiritual richness to future generations.

Culture and the arts are said to enrich people's hearts. "It is known (and said) that visiting and experiencing these places even just once can have a positive impact on children's education," says Yazaki. Currently, Osu Engei Hall is also used as part of school education, and plays a role in passing on traditional performing arts to the next generation. Originally, yose were held every day, but in order to maintain operations, Osu Engei Hall now only holds performances from the 1st to the 7th of each month, and the remaining days are used as a rental venue.

"If we stop running the yose, it will just become a venue. Right now, we are only open seven days a month, but I hope that one day we can hold it every day," says Yazaki. Osu Engeijo exists thanks to the support of many people. Here, laughter is generated from the live interactions with the audience, and you can feel the depth of the art that has been accumulated over time. Yazaki hopes, "I hope that more local comedians will appear, and that more people will support them." Osu Engeijo continues to provide a stage for comedians today, connecting spiritual richness and laughter to the future.

Osu Engeijo

Address: 2-19-39 Osu , Naka Ward, Nagoya , Aichi Prefecture Nagoya City , 460-0011

HP: https://osuengei.nagoya/

*For details on opening hours and closing days, please check the link above.

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How was it?

In the Osu area, you can enjoy traditional performing arts such as rakugo, manzai, and storytelling, as well as other long-established restaurants and international cuisine. If you're visiting Nagoya, be sure to enjoy the culture and food.

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