十一月の京都
京都の年末の風物詩のひとつに南座「顔見世興行」のまねき上げがあります。大入りになりますようにと願いを込めて、出演する役者の名を一人ずつ独特の書体で檜板（約縦1.8M ）に書いた看板を12月の興行中、南座の正面に飾るのです。
役者さんの宣伝のために使われたのが始まりだそうです。隙間がないくらいお客さんが入るよう、檜板いっぱいに太く書かれる「まねき文字」は、丸みをおびた勘亭流という書体で独特です。「まねき書き」は100年受け継がれ、今年5代目（川端耕司さん）が誕生しました。妙傳寺で約50枚のまねき看板を11月25日までに書き上げるそうです。（ニュースで見ました）
12月1日からの興行では市川團十郎の襲名披露公演が予定されています。チケットは少し高めで庶民には高嶺の花ですので、四条通り南座前でちょっと見上げて「まねき看板」で師走を味わいたいと思います。
November in Kyoto 2023
One of Kyoto's year-end traditions is the "maneki-age" (inviting sign-raising) at the Minami-za Theater. During the December performance, with the hope of achieving full houses, unique wooden boards (approximately 1.8 meters tall) are adorned with the names of the participating actors, each written in a distinctive script. Originally it's used as a means of promoting the actors.
The rounded shapes "maneki characters," boldly inscribed on the wooden boards without any gaps, feature a peculiar calligraphic style known as Kantei-ryu.
The tradition of "maneki-gaki" (inviting sign-writing) has been passed down for over a century, and this year marks the fifth generation, with Mr. Koji Kawabata. TV news said that around 50 maneki signs will be completed by November 25 at Myoden-ji Temple.
The December performances, starting from December 1, include a special appearance by Ichikawa Danjuro. Although tickets are relatively expensive, making them somewhat of an unattainable luxury for the common people, one can still savor the December atmosphere by pausing on Shijo Street in front of Minami-za, looking up, and enjoying the "maneki" sign.