Hidemi Takechi, head of the puppet theater Ebisuza and editor-in-chief of the local information paper “Tomomo,” has passed away.
[Obituary] Notice of the passing of Hidemi Takechi
This is Matsuda, who worked under Takechi at Tomomo Co., Ltd. and Ningyo Shibai Ebisuza.
Hidemi Takechi (real name: Hidemi Ogasawara), who had been undergoing medical treatment for some time, passed away at home on the morning of May 3, surrounded by family. We are deeply grateful for the kindness shown to him during his lifetime and respectfully inform you of his passing. The wake and funeral will be held as follows. We know everyone is busy, but we hope you will come to see Takechi off.
A wake and funeral service will be held.
Funeral Service for the Late Hidemi Ogasawara (Hidemi Takechi)
Wake:From 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 5, Reiwa 6
Funeral service:From 12:00 p.m. on Monday, May 6, Reiwa 6
Location:Shukugawa Heian Saiten
Here it is on the map↓
The address is 3-17 Gomencho, Nishinomiya City.
“Ebisu-kaki,” a traditional performing art that began around Hamawaki in the Muromachi period and disappeared in the Meiji period, was revived by Takechi in the Heisei and Reiwa eras.
Ebisu-kaki was performed at Nishinomiya Shrine on the 10th of every month. Many of you may remember the line, “Ebessan has come to share happiness.” The puppet performance from Nishinomiya that spread Ebisu worship across Japan is “Ebisu-kaki.”
Takechi was also the editor-in-chief of the local information paper “Tomomo,” which launched in 2001.
There had been an announcement that publication would be suspended as of March 31.
When Nishinomiya Tsushin was first launched, I went to speak with him directly, and Takechi, as a writer and editor-in-chief, kindly and carefully taught me how to conduct interviews, all while seeming to enjoy it so much.
I still remember sitting in the Tomomo office, drinking coffee, as Takechi stood and passionately explained things with gestures. I keep asking myself whether I have really been putting those lessons into practice. I wish I could have visited him once more while he was still with us.
Thank you for bringing good fortune to so many people over the years. Please accept our heartfelt condolences.
