TOKYO >> Remarkably, Disney’s “The Lion King” resonates with kabukilike elements in its Japanese incarnation here. It sizzles with “seimei,” Japanese for “life.”
So I discovered when I took in the Tony Award-winning stage favorite at the Shiki Theatre Haru in Tokyo, bristling with cultural influences plus all the bells and whistles of the Broadway original. But in the Land of the Rising Sun, this all-Japanese cast instills hometown pride in relaying the Disney tale of life and strife in the savanna of Africa.
The Japanese elements — while universal — tap values of loyalty, family, pride, devotion, environmental stewardship and friendship. The show, of course, retains the production trademarks of visionary director-costumer-puppeteer Julie Taymor.
The songs, by Elton John and Tim Rice, are intact (think “Circle of Life,” “Can You Feel the Love Tonight”) except for being sung in Japanese. And guess what: While some might feel challenged by the language barrier, the actions and enactments are clear enough to sell the message without knowing Japanese. Or, to borrow from the score, “hakuna matata … no worries.”
And when Timon and Pumbaa (charmingly played for broad laughs by Toro Nakajima and Masahiro Fukami, respectively) break into the Top 40 yesteryear hit “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” a snippet of the popular bon dance song, “Tanko Bushi,” is inserted into the tune, eliciting chuckles from the hometown audience.
Yuji Honjo, who portrays Scar, is as imperious as a samurai warrior, with movements and mannerisms straight from kabuki. His makeup — broad black strokes on either side of his face — resembles a warrior from Japan’s past.
Running in Japan since 1998, “The Lion King” is largely attended by natives who applaud with restrained gusto. At the final curtain the audience went bonkers — I counted five curtain calls — but offered no standing ovation.
Disney merchandise is bountiful — more T-shirts here than on Broadway, and stylized minidolls of several characters including Young Simba. So: Simba will will find a place on my Christmas tree this year. …
OTHER JAPAN EXPERIENCES:
>> Kitty search: Miniature, exotic-flavored Japanese-produced Kit-Kat candy bars are no longer exported to Hawaii, but choices are plentiful here, including wasabi, cantaloupe, dark chocolate, green tea matcha, cranberry and purple sweet potato! Perfect omiyage.
>> Dollar deals: 100-yen shops like Daiso and Can-Do — versions of U.S. dollar stores — are the bomb. I stocked up on myriad Christmas stuff for holiday crafts; 3 Coins offers 300-yen items like wooden trees and four-car minitrains.
>> Cultural activities: In Kyoto I signed up for two workshops rooted in tradition with take-home items. One: a 17th-century art form called “yuzen” dyeing, involving stencils and paints with a range of motifs (I chose an iPhone holder project, incorporating sushi designs), with modern-day artisans walking you through the steps.
Another was edible: making “kyogashi,” Japanese sweets, from rolling and shaping marzipanlike dough into a persimmon or maple leaf — the perfect dessert with green tea.
>> Shop chops: For value and variety, seek out these merchants: Tokyu Hands, Loft, Muji, Itoya, Uniqlo. Google, then go! Oh, at Japan’s Costco, the hot dogs are 180 yen — about $1.60. …
And that’s “Show Biz.” …
