Ground-breaking ceremony held for new Kabuki-za

A ground-breaking ceremony for a new Kabuki theater has been held at an open lot in downtown Tokyo on the site of the old building.

The Kabuki-za, a popular structure in the Ginza district famous for its gorgeous facade, was closed in April this year and torn down to make way for its replacement.

About 100 people, including Kabuki actors, attended Thursday's ceremony and prayed for trouble-free construction of the new theater building.

The planned 29-story complex will house a new Kabuki-za theater as well as business offices. The builder plans to reproduce as closely as possible the design of the old building, inside and out.

The builders will use custom-designed metal fittings from the old Kabuki-za, and high-quality Japanese cypress wood for the stage of the new theater.

Leading Kabuki actor Nakamura Kanzaburo said he is very excited about the new theater, which is scheduled to open in spring 2013.