Kamishimo
Title
Kamishimo
Description
Combination of hakama pants and kataginu, a sleeveless jacket
Green and tan brocade with phoenix and dragon pattern
“My dad loved being on stage and hamming it up. He was
an actor at heart and enjoyed the community of actors he worked with. They were serious actors, but not really.
They all liked to entertain and didn't mind messing up their lines. I recall someone always sitting under the table or off stage cueing the actors if they missed their lines. Although
I was young, I remembered that they had a great time and used costume and make-up to help create the characters
they were portraying. Folks helped with props, stage setting – it was a big deal to put on these plays.”
–Nina Tomita-Kato, daughter of Ted Tomita, Sr., shibaiperformer
Although most shibai performers were not professionally trained, their passion for the stage was made clear with each performance. Ted Tomita, Sr., demonstrated this greatly, using his talents both in front and behind the curtain.
Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple Collection
Green and tan brocade with phoenix and dragon pattern
“My dad loved being on stage and hamming it up. He was
an actor at heart and enjoyed the community of actors he worked with. They were serious actors, but not really.
They all liked to entertain and didn't mind messing up their lines. I recall someone always sitting under the table or off stage cueing the actors if they missed their lines. Although
I was young, I remembered that they had a great time and used costume and make-up to help create the characters
they were portraying. Folks helped with props, stage setting – it was a big deal to put on these plays.”
–Nina Tomita-Kato, daughter of Ted Tomita, Sr., shibaiperformer
Although most shibai performers were not professionally trained, their passion for the stage was made clear with each performance. Ted Tomita, Sr., demonstrated this greatly, using his talents both in front and behind the curtain.
Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple Collection