Gekijō

The Gekijō of Yugawa are well known for the art of theater. Like their counterparts in Thespians, they are a vital, albeit generally undervalued, part of preserving the history and culture of their people. Especially in the era where Repenian culture has started to overtake the nobility and overwrite entire swaths of people's heritage, the preservation of the arts by the Gekijō and Thespians is more important than ever.
There is also their role as the peoples' historians. Many accounts of history, while not overt lies, have been tainted by the narrative of the ruling class and their documentarians. Gekijō, on the other hand, have a long-standing history of preserving key points in history with their drama, presenting it in a more truthful light. This is equally as important, if not more, than their place as bastions of culture, as it ensures that history will not be solely written by the powerful.
That said, their most easily recognizable place in society is as entertainers. With a large part of the populace unable to afford other forms of entertainment like literature, the often publicly held performances of the Gekijō serve a vital purpose to the common folk as a way to destress. With the often arduous lives the majority of common folk lead, working as farmers, merchants, or other grueling professions, having a way to forget their worries for a few hours can be quite important for overall health.

Career

Qualifications

There are no inherent qualifications to be a Gekijō, but there is the obvious assumption that you are talented in the performing arts.
The Gekijō are known for a number of performance types from the solo acts of rakugo to the lavish shows of kabuki, there is a plethora of talents needed in order to properly do the work of a Gekijō.

Payment & Reimbursement

While there are certainly cases of Gekijō being hired on as retainers, not unlike Ambassadors of the Arts in other countries, the majority are wandering performers, living off of the donations of those that attend their shows. Some do charge for attendance, but most lack the proper resources to obtain a venue, and therefore must allow the public to watch their shows, as their only choice is the town square. That said, there is a certain generosity that often follows the Gekijō, allowing them to make a modest living off of the donations.

Perception

Purpose

A Gekijō's purpose is, first and foremost, to entertain. The majority don't get into the profession because they believe they will be rich - most know that they are going to make a meager living. They get into it because they love their art and want to entertain others.

Type

Entertainment

Demand

High demand, low value

Other Associated professions

• Ambassador of the Arts
• Thespian

Related Locations

• Yugawa