TRADITIONAL PERFORMING ARTS
Tokyo Traditional Performing Arts Festival
A festival of traditional performing arts in Tokyo that everyone can enjoy
Synopsis
A variety of first-class traditional performing arts will be presented at the festival.
Schedule
Period: from Friday, August 28 to Saturday, November 21, 2009
(1) Traditional Japanese music concert “Autumn Concert under the Moon in Tokyo”
Thursday, October 1, 2009
(2) Introductory traditional Japanese music concerts “Experience Exciting Japanese Sounds Using Voice and Instruments”
Friday, August 28 - Sunday, August 30, 2009
(3) Traditional Japanese dance performance “Eight Poetic Scenes/Four Seasons in EDO”
Saturday, September 19, 2009
[Special Event - Traditional Japanese Dance for Children and Family]
Saturday, September 19, 2009
(4) Japanese folk performance “People’s Life and Festivals of EDO/TOKYO”
Saturday, November 21
(5) Japanese traditional story-telling “O-EDO Yose”
Tuesday (national holiday), September 22, 2009
(6) Japanese traditional story-telling “Shibai-Banashi with Stage Setting”
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Schedule
Period: from Friday, August 28 to Saturday, November 21, 2009
(1) Traditional Japanese music concert “Autumn Concert under the Moon in Tokyo”
Thursday, October 1, 2009
(2) Introductory traditional Japanese music concerts “Experience Exciting Japanese Sounds Using Voice and Instruments”
Friday, August 28 - Sunday, August 30, 2009
(3) Traditional Japanese dance performance “Eight Poetic Scenes/Four Seasons in EDO”
Saturday, September 19, 2009
[Special Event - Traditional Japanese Dance for Children and Family]
Saturday, September 19, 2009
(4) Japanese folk performance “People’s Life and Festivals of EDO/TOKYO”
Saturday, November 21
(5) Japanese traditional story-telling “O-EDO Yose”
Tuesday (national holiday), September 22, 2009
(6) Japanese traditional story-telling “Shibai-Banashi with Stage Setting”
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Venues
The Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space, the National Theatre of Japan, the Yurakucho Asahi Hall, the Edo-Tokyo Museum Hall
* Venues vary depending on event.
* Venues vary depending on event.
Organizers
Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Tokyo Culture Creation Project (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture), Tokyo Traditional Performing Arts Festival Executive Committee
Event Report
Traditional Japanese music concert “Autumn Concert under the Moon in Tokyo”
The Tokyo Traditional Performing Arts Festival, a festival of traditional performing arts that everyone can enjoy, was held in various parts of the Tokyo Metropolitan area including the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space and the National Theatre of Japan, from Friday, August 28 to Saturday, November 21, 2009.
Various performances were presented by artists active at the forefront of the art scene and offered the perfect chance for adults and children, who have not had the opportunity to experience traditional performing arts in the past. The flagship program was the traditional Japanese music concert “Autumn Concert under the Moon in Tokyo” where an orchestra led by SENJU Akira , who is Japan’s leading composer, played a new piece called “Gekko (moonlight)” with musicians who play traditional Japanese musical instruments. There were also introductory traditional Japanese music concerts for children and a special event on classical Japanese dance for children and families. Other performances included Japanese traditional storytelling and Japanese folk performances which have been performed for many generations, giving us a taste of ordinary people’s lives and entertainment in the past. Over 5,100 people enjoyed these special shows.
Various performances were presented by artists active at the forefront of the art scene and offered the perfect chance for adults and children, who have not had the opportunity to experience traditional performing arts in the past. The flagship program was the traditional Japanese music concert “Autumn Concert under the Moon in Tokyo” where an orchestra led by SENJU Akira , who is Japan’s leading composer, played a new piece called “Gekko (moonlight)” with musicians who play traditional Japanese musical instruments. There were also introductory traditional Japanese music concerts for children and a special event on classical Japanese dance for children and families. Other performances included Japanese traditional storytelling and Japanese folk performances which have been performed for many generations, giving us a taste of ordinary people’s lives and entertainment in the past. Over 5,100 people enjoyed these special shows.
Program
(1) Traditional Japanese music concert “Autumn Concert under the Moon in Tokyo”
Date: Thursday, October 1
Venue: Main Hall, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space
Cast (in order of appearance): HAGIOKA Shoin, KIYOMOTO Yoshijudayu, KIYOMOTO Yoshijiro, HONJOH Hidetaro, KINEYA Rokuzo, IMAFUJI Chojuro, TOSHA Rosen, SENJU Akira, the Tokyo City Philharmonic Orchestra, FUJIWARA Dozan and others
MC: KASAI Seiji
Date: Thursday, October 1
Venue: Main Hall, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space
Cast (in order of appearance): HAGIOKA Shoin, KIYOMOTO Yoshijudayu, KIYOMOTO Yoshijiro, HONJOH Hidetaro, KINEYA Rokuzo, IMAFUJI Chojuro, TOSHA Rosen, SENJU Akira, the Tokyo City Philharmonic Orchestra, FUJIWARA Dozan and others
MC: KASAI Seiji
(2) Introductory traditional Japanese music concerts “Experience Exciting Japanese Sounds Using Voice and Instruments”
Dates: From Friday, August 28 to Sunday, August 30
Venue: Small Hall 2, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space
Cast: IMAFUJI Chojuro, TOSHA Rosen, HAGIOKA Shoin, KIYOMOTO Enjudayu, HONJOH Hidetaro and others
MC: HAYASHIYA Kikuhime
Commentator: TAKEUCHI Michitaka
Dates: From Friday, August 28 to Sunday, August 30
Venue: Small Hall 2, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space
Cast: IMAFUJI Chojuro, TOSHA Rosen, HAGIOKA Shoin, KIYOMOTO Enjudayu, HONJOH Hidetaro and others
MC: HAYASHIYA Kikuhime
Commentator: TAKEUCHI Michitaka
(3) Traditional Japanese dance performance “Eight Poetic Scenes/Four Seasons in EDO”
Date: Saturday, September 19
Venue: National Theatre (Large Theatre)
Cast: NISHIKAWA Senzo (living national treasure), HANAYAGI Toshinami (living national treasure), ICHIYAMA Shosen, HANAYAGI Noriyuki, ONOE Seifu, HANAYAGI Juraku, HANAYAGI Sumi, FUJIMA Ranko, TACHIBANA Yoshie, HANAYAGI Kanichi, WAKAYAGI Satojiro, ONOE Yukari, ONOE Kikunojo, NISHIKAWA Minosuke, FUJIMA Hiroko and others
Host: KANDA Kurenai (professional storyteller)
Date: Saturday, September 19
Venue: National Theatre (Large Theatre)
Cast: NISHIKAWA Senzo (living national treasure), HANAYAGI Toshinami (living national treasure), ICHIYAMA Shosen, HANAYAGI Noriyuki, ONOE Seifu, HANAYAGI Juraku, HANAYAGI Sumi, FUJIMA Ranko, TACHIBANA Yoshie, HANAYAGI Kanichi, WAKAYAGI Satojiro, ONOE Yukari, ONOE Kikunojo, NISHIKAWA Minosuke, FUJIMA Hiroko and others
Host: KANDA Kurenai (professional storyteller)
[Special Event--Traditional Japanese Dance for Children and Family]
Date: Saturday, September 19
Venue: National Theatre (Large Theatre)
Cast: ICHIYAMA Shosen, HANAYAGI Noriyuki, ONOE Seifu
Explanation: Juraku Hanayagi and others
Date: Saturday, September 19
Venue: National Theatre (Large Theatre)
Cast: ICHIYAMA Shosen, HANAYAGI Noriyuki, ONOE Seifu
Explanation: Juraku Hanayagi and others
(4) Japanese folk performance “Life and Festivals of EDO/TOKYO”
Date: Saturday, November 21
Venue: National Theatre (Small Theatre)
Cast: The Yoyogi Rice-Pounding Song Conservation Society, the Kanda-bayashi Conservation Society, the Tsukuda-jima Bon-Dance Conservation Society and the Ekoda Lion Dance Conservation Society
The Hoo-no-mai Dance Conservation Society and the Ogouchi-kashima Dance Conservation Society
Date: Saturday, November 21
Venue: National Theatre (Small Theatre)
Cast:
(5) Japanese traditional storytelling “O-EDO Yose”
Date: Tuesday (holiday), September 22
Venue: Yurakucho Asahi Hall
Cast: KOKONTEI Shinsuke, YANAGIYA Kogiku, YANAGIYA Gontaro, IRIFUNETEI Senyu and others
Date: Tuesday (holiday), September 22
Venue: Yurakucho Asahi Hall
Cast: KOKONTEI Shinsuke, YANAGIYA Kogiku, YANAGIYA Gontaro, IRIFUNETEI Senyu and others
(6) Japanese traditional storytelling “Shibai-Banashi with Stage Setting”
Date: Sunday, October 11
Venue: Hall, Edo-Tokyo Museum
Cast: HAYASHIYA Shojaku, KATSURA Heiji, SANYUTEI Utamusashi, YANAGIYA Gontaro and others
Date: Sunday, October 11
Venue: Hall, Edo-Tokyo Museum
Cast: HAYASHIYA Shojaku, KATSURA Heiji, SANYUTEI Utamusashi, YANAGIYA Gontaro and others
Comments from the Audience (from Questionnaires)
・The collaboration between the orchestra and the Japanese instrument players was great in the traditional Japanese music concert.
・I enjoyed the magnificent music which had great harmony between the orchestra and the traditional Japanese instruments.
・The experimental performance of “Gekko (moonlight)” was exciting. I want to hear it again. The sound of the shakuhachi made a deep impression on me. SENJU Akira was superb!
・All I can say is “fantastic.”
・The sounds of the traditional Japanese instruments the koto and the shakuhachi perfectly melted into the beautiful sounds of the orchestra. It was brilliant.
・I highly recommend this concert to people from overseas, too.
・The traditional Japanese instruments harmonized with the modern tunes and resulted in excellent pieces. I enjoyed them very much.
・It was fantastic and impressive that many genres of traditional Japanese music (nagauta, kiyomoto, hauta and musical accompaniment) were incorporated into the performance.
・I often find the lyrics of nagauta difficult to understand. I understood it a little this time.
・Please create more opportunities to enjoy traditional performing arts.
・I felt a Japanese spirit and it was hair-raising.
・Young people should be given more chances to come and see these performances.
・I want to encourage children to experience traditional Japanese music.
・I enjoyed having a go at playing Japanese musical instruments.
・Please provide children with the opportunity to experience the traditional performing arts, for example, by visiting elementary schools and teaching it as part of the music lessons.
・The explanations by Ms. KANDA Kurenai were great.
・In the event for children and families, I was impressed by the fact that my two-year old child was concentrating on watching the performances.
・Japanese folk performances should be protected at the national level.
・I want young people and children to experience and enjoy genuine performances of Japanese traditional storytelling.
・I enjoyed the magnificent music which had great harmony between the orchestra and the traditional Japanese instruments.
・The experimental performance of “Gekko (moonlight)” was exciting. I want to hear it again. The sound of the shakuhachi made a deep impression on me. SENJU Akira was superb!
・All I can say is “fantastic.”
・The sounds of the traditional Japanese instruments the koto and the shakuhachi perfectly melted into the beautiful sounds of the orchestra. It was brilliant.
・I highly recommend this concert to people from overseas, too.
・The traditional Japanese instruments harmonized with the modern tunes and resulted in excellent pieces. I enjoyed them very much.
・It was fantastic and impressive that many genres of traditional Japanese music (nagauta, kiyomoto, hauta and musical accompaniment) were incorporated into the performance.
・I often find the lyrics of nagauta difficult to understand. I understood it a little this time.
・Please create more opportunities to enjoy traditional performing arts.
・I felt a Japanese spirit and it was hair-raising.
・Young people should be given more chances to come and see these performances.
・I want to encourage children to experience traditional Japanese music.
・I enjoyed having a go at playing Japanese musical instruments.
・Please provide children with the opportunity to experience the traditional performing arts, for example, by visiting elementary schools and teaching it as part of the music lessons.
・The explanations by Ms. KANDA Kurenai were great.
・In the event for children and families, I was impressed by the fact that my two-year old child was concentrating on watching the performances.
・Japanese folk performances should be protected at the national level.
・I want young people and children to experience and enjoy genuine performances of Japanese traditional storytelling.
Outline
The Festival offers the finest selection of performances, presented in an accessible format so that children and people who are unfamiliar with the traditional performing arts can enjoy the performances.
Why don’t you join us and enjoy this unique opportunity to experience the best of traditional performing arts?
Why don’t you join us and enjoy this unique opportunity to experience the best of traditional performing arts?
Contact
Secretariat of the Tokyo Traditional Performing Arts Festival Executive Committee
3F, Kamiyama-cho Ogawa Bldg., 5-20, Kamiyama-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-0047
Tel.:03-5478-8203
http://www.dento-wa.jp
3F, Kamiyama-cho Ogawa Bldg., 5-20, Kamiyama-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-0047
Tel.:03-5478-8203
http://www.dento-wa.jp
Program
The Tokyo Traditional Performing Arts Festival will include a special traditional Japanese music concert “Autumn Concert under the Moon in Tokyo,” the series of introductory traditional Japanese music concerts for children “Experience Exciting Japanese Sounds Using Voice and Instruments,” the traditional Japanese dance performance “Eight Poetic Scenes/Four Seasons in EDO,” etc. The “Autumn Concert under the Tokyo Moon” will feature an orchestra led by SENJU Akira, who is Japan’s leading composer, playing with musicians who play traditional Japanese musical instruments. The concert will symbolize the past, present and future of Japanese music.
(1) Traditional Japanese music concert “Autumn Concert under the Moon in Tokyo”
This concert is a collection of various types of traditional Japanese music which have been passed down from Edo to Tokyo, from the past to the present, that need to be handed on to future generations. The finest musicians of the present day will gather to present a glorious Japanese musical performance.
With the theme of the “moon”, leading musicians in the traditional Japanese music scene will gather together and present the essence of music born and evolved in Edo/Tokyo.
Part I includes famous classical music from nagauta, kiyomoto, Yamada style koto music and hauta. Part II includes songs written by AKIMOTO Yasushi and composed by a master of nagauta, IMAFUJI Chojuro. This will be followed by tunes composed by SENJU Akira, the most popular Japanese composer of today, as a collaborative performance between the orchestra conducted by Senju and musicians who play traditional Japanese musical instruments. The audience can enjoy the future possibilities of traditional Japanese music.
Cast (in order of appearance): HAGIOKA Shoin, KIYOMOTO Yoshijudayu, KIYOMOTO Yoshijiro, HONJO Hidetaro, KINEYA Rokuzo, IMAFUJI Chojuro, TOSHA Rosen, SENJU Akira, the Tokyo City Philharmonic Orchestra, FUJIWARA Dozan and others
MC: KASAI Seiji
Date: Thursday, October 1, 2009, Starting at 14:00
Venue: Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space, Main Hall
With the theme of the “moon”, leading musicians in the traditional Japanese music scene will gather together and present the essence of music born and evolved in Edo/Tokyo.
Part I includes famous classical music from nagauta, kiyomoto, Yamada style koto music and hauta. Part II includes songs written by AKIMOTO Yasushi and composed by a master of nagauta, IMAFUJI Chojuro. This will be followed by tunes composed by SENJU Akira, the most popular Japanese composer of today, as a collaborative performance between the orchestra conducted by Senju and musicians who play traditional Japanese musical instruments. The audience can enjoy the future possibilities of traditional Japanese music.
Cast (in order of appearance): HAGIOKA Shoin, KIYOMOTO Yoshijudayu, KIYOMOTO Yoshijiro, HONJO Hidetaro, KINEYA Rokuzo, IMAFUJI Chojuro, TOSHA Rosen, SENJU Akira, the Tokyo City Philharmonic Orchestra, FUJIWARA Dozan and others
MC: KASAI Seiji
Date: Thursday, October 1, 2009, Starting at 14:00
Venue: Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space, Main Hall
(2) Introductory traditional Japanese music concerts “Experience Exciting Japanese Sounds Using Voice and Instruments”
Singing, narration, shamisen, koto, hand drums… Traditional Japanese music is a new and exciting entertainment for young people who live in today’s world. Why don’t you join us to find the “musical treasures” of Tokyo?
This is a series of introductory concerts of traditional Japanese music which lasts for three days. The concerts are performed by leading musicians who are active in the traditional Japanese music scene. The event gives participants various types of opportunities to listen, relish and enjoy the experience, which includes high-quality performances, workshops and hands-on experiences in the lobby.
HAYASHIYA Kikuhime, a popular rakugo story-teller among the younger generation, will host the event and TAKEUCHI Michitaka, an expert in traditional Japanese music, is there to answer questions.
Cast: IMAFUJI Chojuro, TOSHA Rosen, HAGIOKA Shoin, KIYOMOTO Enjudayu, HONJO Hidetaro and others
MC: HAYASHIYA Kikuhime and others
Commentator: TAKEUCHI Michitaka
Period: Friday, August 28 - Sunday, August 30, 2009
This is a series of introductory concerts of traditional Japanese music which lasts for three days. The concerts are performed by leading musicians who are active in the traditional Japanese music scene. The event gives participants various types of opportunities to listen, relish and enjoy the experience, which includes high-quality performances, workshops and hands-on experiences in the lobby.
HAYASHIYA Kikuhime, a popular rakugo story-teller among the younger generation, will host the event and TAKEUCHI Michitaka, an expert in traditional Japanese music, is there to answer questions.
Cast: IMAFUJI Chojuro, TOSHA Rosen, HAGIOKA Shoin, KIYOMOTO Enjudayu, HONJO Hidetaro and others
MC: HAYASHIYA Kikuhime and others
Commentator: TAKEUCHI Michitaka
Period: Friday, August 28 - Sunday, August 30, 2009
(3) Traditional Japanese dance performance “Eight Poetic Scenes/Four Seasons in EDO”
Poetic scenes of the four seasons in Edo reappear on a modern stage ? audiences can relish elegant dancing of the finest quality by masters of traditional Japanese dance performance.
Traditional Japanese dance is an art form which integrates choreography, music, stage setting, props, costumes, etc. that have been developed since the Edo Period (1603-1867) mainly as part of Kabuki theatre. The performance shown in this event is a famous classic work which expresses poetic scenes of the four seasons that used to be seen at famous sites in Edo. The attraction of the traditional Japanese dance performances of today is enhanced by modern direction as well as the speedy change of scenes enabled by special stage structures, combined with explanations provided by a professional storyteller.
Cast: (In order of appearance)
NISHIKAWA Senzo (living national treasure), HANAYAGI Toshinami (living national treasure), ICHIYAMA Shosen, HANAYAGI Noriyuki, ONOE Seifu, HANAYAGI Juraku, HANAYAGI Sumi, FUJIMA Ranko, TACHIBANA Yoshie, HANAYAGI Kanichi, WAKAYAGI Satojiro, ONOE Yukari, ONOE Kikunojo, NISHIKAWA Minosuke, FUJIMA Hiroko and others
Host: KANDA Kurenai (professional storyteller)
Date: Saturday, September 19, 2009, Starting at 14:00
Venue: National Theatre of Japan, Large Theatre
Traditional Japanese dance is an art form which integrates choreography, music, stage setting, props, costumes, etc. that have been developed since the Edo Period (1603-1867) mainly as part of Kabuki theatre. The performance shown in this event is a famous classic work which expresses poetic scenes of the four seasons that used to be seen at famous sites in Edo. The attraction of the traditional Japanese dance performances of today is enhanced by modern direction as well as the speedy change of scenes enabled by special stage structures, combined with explanations provided by a professional storyteller.
Cast: (In order of appearance)
NISHIKAWA Senzo (living national treasure), HANAYAGI Toshinami (living national treasure), ICHIYAMA Shosen, HANAYAGI Noriyuki, ONOE Seifu, HANAYAGI Juraku, HANAYAGI Sumi, FUJIMA Ranko, TACHIBANA Yoshie, HANAYAGI Kanichi, WAKAYAGI Satojiro, ONOE Yukari, ONOE Kikunojo, NISHIKAWA Minosuke, FUJIMA Hiroko and others
Host: KANDA Kurenai (professional storyteller)
Date: Saturday, September 19, 2009, Starting at 14:00
Venue: National Theatre of Japan, Large Theatre
[Special Event -Traditional Japanese Dance for Children and Family]
This is a free special event where children can discover and enjoy the attractions of traditional Japanese dance performance. All the family members can enjoy and experience the flavor of this fascinating art.
This event is comprised of two pieces from “Eight Poetic Scenes/Four Seasons in EDO” which will be performed in the afternoon on the same day, and an explanation about the work with a demonstration, aiming to show the attractions of traditional Japanese dance performance in an easy-to-understand way for children.
This is the first free special event held in the Large Hall of the National Theatre of Japan which offers a chance for children, parents and grandparents to enjoy the fascinating world of traditional Japanese dance performance together.
Cast: ICHIYAMA Shosen, HANAYAGI Noriyuki and ONOE Seifu
Explanation: HANAYAGI Juraku and others
Date: Saturday, September 19, 2009, Starting at 11:00
Venue: National Theatre of Japan, Large Theatre
This is a free special event where children can discover and enjoy the attractions of traditional Japanese dance performance. All the family members can enjoy and experience the flavor of this fascinating art.
This event is comprised of two pieces from “Eight Poetic Scenes/Four Seasons in EDO” which will be performed in the afternoon on the same day, and an explanation about the work with a demonstration, aiming to show the attractions of traditional Japanese dance performance in an easy-to-understand way for children.
This is the first free special event held in the Large Hall of the National Theatre of Japan which offers a chance for children, parents and grandparents to enjoy the fascinating world of traditional Japanese dance performance together.
Cast: ICHIYAMA Shosen, HANAYAGI Noriyuki and ONOE Seifu
Explanation: HANAYAGI Juraku and others
Date: Saturday, September 19, 2009, Starting at 11:00
Venue: National Theatre of Japan, Large Theatre
(4) Japanese folk performance “Life and Festivals of EDO/TOKYO”
Various kinds of Edo/Tokyo folk performances have been nurtured and passed on to the present day by ordinary people. Enjoy the unique atmosphere and seasonal flavors of local communities.
This event presents folk performances which have been passed on by people in the towns of Edo/Tokyo.
Part I presents performances expressing seasonal events and festivals. Diverse activities are shown on the stage, including rice cake making, music accompaniment (“hayashi”), a Bon festival dance and a Lion dance, through which the audience can feel the seasonal atmosphere of local communities.
Part II presents the Hoo-no-mai dance with high-spirited voices and drums, and the Ogouchi-kashima dance which has the character of early Kabuki dance, both of which are government-designated Important Intangible Folk-Cultural Properties that have been passed on in the Okutama area.
Cast:
Part I: the Yoyogi Rice-Pounding Song Conservation Society, the Kanda-bayashi Conservation Society, the Tsukuda-jima Bon-Dance Conservation Society and the Ekoda Lion Dance Conservation Society
Part II: the Hoo-no-mai Dance Conservation Society and the Ogouchi-kashima Dance Conservation Society
Date: Saturday, November 21, 2009, Starting at 14:00
Venue: National Theatre of Japan, Small Theatre
This event presents folk performances which have been passed on by people in the towns of Edo/Tokyo.
Part I presents performances expressing seasonal events and festivals. Diverse activities are shown on the stage, including rice cake making, music accompaniment (“hayashi”), a Bon festival dance and a Lion dance, through which the audience can feel the seasonal atmosphere of local communities.
Part II presents the Hoo-no-mai dance with high-spirited voices and drums, and the Ogouchi-kashima dance which has the character of early Kabuki dance, both of which are government-designated Important Intangible Folk-Cultural Properties that have been passed on in the Okutama area.
Cast:
Part I: the Yoyogi Rice-Pounding Song Conservation Society, the Kanda-bayashi Conservation Society, the Tsukuda-jima Bon-Dance Conservation Society and the Ekoda Lion Dance Conservation Society
Part II: the Hoo-no-mai Dance Conservation Society and the Ogouchi-kashima Dance Conservation Society
Date: Saturday, November 21, 2009, Starting at 14:00
Venue: National Theatre of Japan, Small Theatre
(5) Japanese traditional storytelling “O-EDO Yose”(Only in Japanese. No subtitles.)
Come and see street scenes and the lifestyles of flourishing Edo through cool music and comic stories.
With the theme of “Edo,” KOKONTEI Shinsuke recites “Kogane-mochi (gold rice cake),” a story about Edo’s town folk, and YANAGIYA Kogiku sings a song entitled “Edo-no-shiki (four seasons in Edo)” with the shamisen. The last performer is Gontaro Yanagiya, who will tell a story called “Fudobo kaen (fire),” a story about love rivalry in a terraced house. The audience can enjoy a lively story about people living in a terraced house in a town of Edo.
Cast: KOKONTEI Shinsuke, YANAGIYA Kogiku, YANAGIYA Gontaro, IRIFUNETEI Senyu and others
Date: Tuesday (national holiday), September 22, 2009, Starting at 14:00
Venue: Yurakucho Asahi Hall
With the theme of “Edo,” KOKONTEI Shinsuke recites “Kogane-mochi (gold rice cake),” a story about Edo’s town folk, and YANAGIYA Kogiku sings a song entitled “Edo-no-shiki (four seasons in Edo)” with the shamisen. The last performer is Gontaro Yanagiya, who will tell a story called “Fudobo kaen (fire),” a story about love rivalry in a terraced house. The audience can enjoy a lively story about people living in a terraced house in a town of Edo.
Cast: KOKONTEI Shinsuke, YANAGIYA Kogiku, YANAGIYA Gontaro, IRIFUNETEI Senyu and others
Date: Tuesday (national holiday), September 22, 2009, Starting at 14:00
Venue: Yurakucho Asahi Hall
(6) Japanese traditional storytelling “Shibai-Banashi with Stage Setting”(Only in Japanese. No subtitles.)
This is a type of rakugo show called Shibai-banashi which accompanies music, started by SANYUTEI Encho at the end of the Edo Period (1603-1867). Enjoy one of the many time-honored classic Shibai-banashi shows which were first staged in Edo.
SANYUTEI Encho was a rakugo comic storyteller active during the transition period from the Edo Period (1603-1867) to the Meiji Period (1868-1912), who opened up new horizons for traditional storytelling. When he became a star performer, he started a new type of rakugo show called Shibai-banashi using musical instruments, flashy garments and props to add an atmosphere of Kabuki theatre, and this became a big hit. At this event, a winter story called “Kajika-zawa” will be performed to match the time of the year. HAYASHIYA Shojaku, who inherited performance skills and props from HAYASHIYA Shozo, performs a monodrama-like show about a somewhat chilling story about a woman and a man.
Cast: HAYASHIYA Shojaku, KATSURA Heiji, SANYUTEI Utamusashi, YANAGIYA Gontaro and others
Date: Sunday, October 11, 2009, Starting at 14:00 /Starting at 18:00
Venue: Edo Tokyo Museum
SANYUTEI Encho was a rakugo comic storyteller active during the transition period from the Edo Period (1603-1867) to the Meiji Period (1868-1912), who opened up new horizons for traditional storytelling. When he became a star performer, he started a new type of rakugo show called Shibai-banashi using musical instruments, flashy garments and props to add an atmosphere of Kabuki theatre, and this became a big hit. At this event, a winter story called “Kajika-zawa” will be performed to match the time of the year. HAYASHIYA Shojaku, who inherited performance skills and props from HAYASHIYA Shozo, performs a monodrama-like show about a somewhat chilling story about a woman and a man.
Cast: HAYASHIYA Shojaku, KATSURA Heiji, SANYUTEI Utamusashi, YANAGIYA Gontaro and others
Date: Sunday, October 11, 2009, Starting at 14:00 /Starting at 18:00
Venue: Edo Tokyo Museum
