Cineme Area

Tucked away in the vibrant heart of Tokyo, Cineme Area pulsates with cinematic history. Cineme Area isn’t just a place; it’s a time capsule. It’s a journey back to the golden age of Japanese cinema, a world of silent films, flamboyant narrators, and the captivating art of the benshi. Cineme Area, specifically Asakusa, became the epicenter of film in Japan. In 1917, out of 64 cinemas in Japan, 21 were in Asakusa. Cinema arrived in Japan in 1896. Initially, films were short, just two or three minutes. Showings were elaborate events. They included introductions, live music, and enthusiastic narrators explaining the Western invention. Cineme Area thrived on these performances. The narrators, known as benshi, weren’t just storytellers. They embodied characters, giving each a unique voice and personality. One eccentric narrator in 1897, dressed in a tuxedo, simply repeated “Here is Napoleon. Napoleon is Napoleon” during a film about European royalty, amusing the audience. Another, Ueda Hoteiken, cleverly explained on-screen kisses as a Western greeting similar to bowing, avoiding censorship issues. Somei Saburo, a former actor at the Denkikan in Asakusa, elevated the benshi’s role. He didn’t just narrate; he became the characters, drawing the audience into the film. This era in Cineme Area was a unique blend of Western innovation and Japanese artistry. The benshi’s influence grew. They became stars, their names advertised outside cinemas. They even had input in filmmaking, demanding script rewrites if necessary. Tokugawa Musei became a legendary figure, the most celebrated benshi and performing artist of his time. Silent films, both Western and Japanese, were often accompanied by live orchestras, mixing Western and Japanese instruments. The arrival of talkies in 1927 marked a turning point. The transition was slower in Japan, with silent films remaining popular until around 1935. The benshi, stars of Cineme Area, eventually faded from the scene, their art replaced by new technology. But their legacy remains, a testament to a time when cinema was a vibrant, live performance, a captivating blend of image and voice. Cineme Area’s story is a reminder of the power of storytelling. It’s a testament to the ingenuity of the benshi who brought silent films to life, creating a unique cinematic experience that remains unparalleled in Japanese history.