03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Mainichi
Entertainer Ken Matsudaira samba dances to celebrate Showa era at Tokyo-area amusement park
TOKOROZAWA, Saitama -- A glittering samba event recently kicked off the Golden Week holiday season at the Seibuen Amusement Park in this city just northwest of Tokyo in a tribute to Japan's Showa era, which lasted from 1926 to 1989.
The "Golden Matsuken Matsuri (Samba)" was held April 26 as part of the "Showa 100-nen Daisaiten" grand festival, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the Showa era, at the theme park's Yuhino-oka Shopping Street -- immersed in the "Showa retro" aesthetic. The dance event featured 71-year-old actor and musician Ken Matsudaira, known by the nickname Matsuken, in a luminous golden outfit.
As gold-colored confetti fluttered through the air, Matsudaira and the performers danced to the rhythm of his 2004 hit "Matsuken Samba II," filling the shopping street with excitement and cheers from the crowd.
After the event, Matsudaira commented, "It was my first performance at an amusement park. I was moved by how enthusiastic the visitors were. If I stay healthy, I want to continue singing until I am 80."
Various Showa-themed events will be held at the theme park in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, during the Golden Week holidays through May 6, including the "Showa-priced grand sale" which allows shopping at 1960s prices, the "Showa 100-year grand fireworks" and the participatory show "Golden Boogie-Woogie festival."
(Japanese original by Koichiro Tezuka, Photo Group)
