History of the Shoko Shiranami Gonin Otoko

During the early years, the performance of the Shiranami Gonin Otoko was held at local food establishments. In 1961, the Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce constructed their headquarters facilities, to include a Cultural Hall, on their newly acquired property on Beretania Street. This Cultural Hall provided a venue for various performances, such as the Shiranami Gonin Otoko, and other activities. In 1992, the Cultural Hall and other Japanese Chamber facilities were demolished to prepare for the construction of the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii. During the interim in 1993 and 1994, the Shiranami Gonin Otoko performance was held at the Hawaii Okinawa Center in Waipio.

The performance has been held at the Japanese Cultural Center’s Ballroom since its construction in 1994.

In 2020, the performance was held at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel as part of the HJCC’s 120th Anniversary activities.

Although COVID-19 cancelled the performance in 2021, the Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce regrouped and resumed the performance virtually in 2022 from the Generations  Ballroom.

Selection and recruiting of the Gonin Otoko cast members from among the HJCC membership has been a challenging task for the President of the HJCC. The cast is usually selected by the Fall (through whatever recruiting means), to enable rehearsals starting in November.

During November -- December, you can hear the echoes of: “Ware Ware, Wa !! ” from the cast and, “Slow Down, Slow Down !!,” from the Senseis, throughout the rehearsal room. Rehearsals continue throughout the 8 ensuing weeks and the holidays, as the raw recruits are being “groomed” to become Kabuki Stars for their grand performance at the Japanese Chamber of Commerce’s Shinnen EnKai, New Year’s celebration.

The Senseis are also members of the HJCC who have performed in the Shiranami Gonin Otoko in the past, and in some cases multiple times. They prepare the script for each cast member; coach them on their delivery and movements; and “transform” these raw recruits to “seasoned Kabuki stars” in a condensed 60 day period.

During the 1970 – 1980’s, the Senseis—Coaches were led by Milton Yanagawa, followed by Eigo Kudo 1988 – 1990; Dan Takehara in the 1990 – early 2000’s; Walter Saito for the next 20 plus years; and Bob Nagao from 2016 to present. Currently, Rika Hirata (Japanese Input) and Ron Ushijima (Script and Production) assist Bob Nagao. Mr. Minoru Ueda and The Late Greg Mueller also assisted.

The success of the Shiranami Gonin Otoko performance would not be possible without the support of the Hanayagi Dancing Academy. Most of the props that the cast use belongs to the Hanayagi Dancing Academy.

Since the inception of the Shoko Shiranami Gonin Otoko performance, the Hanayagi Sensei's also have been dressing the cast members, transforming the cast members into Kabuki Actors with their near-authentic make-ups; and providing the background shamisen music and sound effects during the performance.

They also help coach the actors on different Kabuki movements that add to the effectiveness of the Kabuki performance.

The grueling 8 weeks of rehearsals finally come to fruition as the cast members gather at mid-afternoon on “performance day” at the designated dressing room to get dressed and made up by the Hanayagi Senseis. While idle in between being dressed, you could find some cast members pacing the room mumbling their lines under their breaths; and some with liquid libations in hand to boost their courage and to “enhance their performance.”

Past cast members also barge in to cheer them on and toast with them for a successful performance.

After the Hanayagi Sensei's complete dressing the Dorobo's, and meticulously apply their final facial make-up to depict their respective Samurai Dorobo characters, the Sensei's beam with joy and with a feeling of accomplishment as to how the cast members blossomed after 8 weeks of rehearsals.

Finally, after a KANPAI TOAST for a successful performance, “CLACK,” “CLACK,” “CLACK,” from their geta’s echo throughout the hallway as the Samurai Dorobo's CONFIDENTLY proceed to the Ballroom to await the MC to announce: “…….AND NOW, MAY I PRESENT THE HJCC SHOKO SHIRANAMI GONIN OTOKO !!!!”…and: “SHOWTIME !!!”

After the performance, the cast members look back and reminisce over their performance and experience, and look forward to “Welcoming and Cheering On” the next year’s cast of the “SHIRANAMI GONIN OTOKO DOROBOS.”