A wooden model of a Kabuki theatre scene, gifted to the University of Hawaiʻi in 1939 by Japan’s Shochiku Company, is now on permanent display at UH Mānoa’s Hamilton Library. The intricate model, depicting a scene from Kanadehon Chushingura, was celebrated at a reception on August 18, following its restoration.
The gift was originally secured by Gregg Sinclair, founding director of UH’s Oriental Institute, to promote cultural awareness. Built by Kabuki-za Theatre master carpenter Genjiro Hasegawa under the direction of Shochiku founder Takejiro Otani, the model represents a long-standing bond between UH and Japan.
“This beautiful model was made and gifted to us, along with a Kabuki actor doll, with the promise of perpetual display on campus in summer 1939,” said Mitsutaka Nakamura, Japan studies librarian at Hamilton Library. “This combination of the Kabuki theater model, case and stand symbolizes our enduring bond between Shochiku and UH, and Japan and Hawaiʻi as well.”
The model has been displayed and stored in various places over the years, but time took its toll. With support from UH’s Department of Theatre and Dance, artist Meg Hanna-Tominaga restored the piece, which now sits on a handcrafted monkey pod stand and is protected by an acrylic case.
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Shochiku honorary chair Nobuyoshi Otani praised UH for keeping its promise of preservation: “We hope that you will continue to protect the display as a testament to the cultural exchange fostered by our predecessors.”
Kabuki master Ichikawa Monnosuke VIII also joined the celebration, praising UH students’ dedication during a Kabuki workshop and showcase.
“For the next 100, 200, 300 years, I hope that Kabuki here at the University of Hawaiʻi will continue,” he said. “Let’s keep doing this!”
