Category:Kōjō (Kabuki announcement)

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A kōjō 口上 is a formal address to the audience at a kabuki theater. Actors dressed formally in kamishimo 上下 face the the audience; kneel; bow; and make a formal address to the audience. These would mostly take place in the 11th month when the actors would start work under their annual contracts and is called a kaomise 顔見世 (face showing). Actors might thank the audience for their patronage and request future patronage; announce changes to the cast; and announce actor change of names.