戸倉上山田温泉の大勝館という大衆演劇屋さんからお中元（？）でこのホウズキを頂きました。沢山の劇団は東京の浅草から来るせいか、このホウズキは浅草からだそうです。（ホウズキは浅草の名物でしょうか？良く分かりません。）

まあ、せっかく頂いたので亀清の浦の歩道に植えました。（アシスタント：若若女将の美咲ちゃん。）そして、若女将に怒られちゃった。「何で外に植える会？酔っ払いにやられちゃうだけ。中で飾ろうよ」と。と言うことで、中で飾れるようにまたホウズキを買わんとあかん。浅草に買いに行こうかな。

The Taishokan Theater here in Togura Kamiyamada Onsen stopped by to give us a chugen (seasonal gift -- kind of like a secondary Christmas present in summer). They gave us this Chinese Lantern plant. Apparently most of the theater groups that perform at Taishokan hail from Asakusa in Tokyo, and these Chinese Lanterns supposedly came from Asakusa. Is this plant a specialty of Asakusa? I have no idea.

Anyways, I planted the flower along the sidewalk behind our inn (assisted by little Misaki). But my wife complained. She had been hoping to display the flowers inside, and was worried a drunk would ruin them if left outside. So that means I have to go and buy some more Chinese Lanterns. I think I'll head out to Asakusa to do so...

大衆演劇のショーは毎日２回。亀清から歩いて５分。（歩けば、このホウズキを通ります。）
大勝館のHPはこちら Click here for the website of Taishokan.　They offer 2 shows daily of a sort-of kabuki for the masses. As I mentioned elsewhere, it's beautiful dancing, beautiful kimonos, but its just the hairy legs that can get to you. Very entertaining!