TRADITIONAL PERFORMING ARTS
Traditional Performing Arts for Kids
A 7-month experience that you can feel though your body and that touches your heart
An experience program of authentic “Japanese performing art lessons”
A lesson in Noh (Kyogen) theater
Outline
Nagauta (shamisen) lesson
Classical Japanese dance lesson
To those children encountering the Japanese traditional performing arts for their first time ―
Because this is the children’s first experience of Japanese traditional performing arts, we want their experience to be authentic. This very popular program originated from this idea, and this year’s event will be the 3rd time we have offered this program. Through direct instruction by top-class artists in the genres of Noh play, classical Japanese dance, Koto music, and Nagauta, participants will aim to present their own performances on the “big stage.”
The children will make many discoveries through a series of lessons, in which they can feel the atmosphere of Japanese tradition and the aura of the professional performers. For future adults, we consider “now” to be an important time to experience this world.
Because this is the children’s first experience of Japanese traditional performing arts, we want their experience to be authentic. This very popular program originated from this idea, and this year’s event will be the 3rd time we have offered this program. Through direct instruction by top-class artists in the genres of Noh play, classical Japanese dance, Koto music, and Nagauta, participants will aim to present their own performances on the “big stage.”
The children will make many discoveries through a series of lessons, in which they can feel the atmosphere of Japanese tradition and the aura of the professional performers. For future adults, we consider “now” to be an important time to experience this world.
Course
4 genres covered in a total of 18 courses: Noh play (UTAI/SHIMAI - chant and dance, KYOGEN - comedy, HAYASHI - musical instruments) NIHONBUYO - classical Japanese dance, SOKYOKU (Koto music) and, NAGAUTA (SHAMISEN, HAYASHI - musical instruments)
Content
18 lessons, a rehearsal, and a recital (20 sessions in total)
Participants
10 to 24 students from elementary, junior and senior high schools in each course
Instructors
Instructors are the principal members of the Nohgaku Performers’ Association, the Japanese Classical Dance Association Inc., Nihon Sankyoku Kyokai, and Nagauta Association.
Participation fee
10,000 yen (for a total of 20 sessions, about 500 yen per session)
* In addition to the participation fee, fees for tools, materials, accessories, and costumes may be required, depending on the genre.
* In addition to the participation fee, fees for tools, materials, accessories, and costumes may be required, depending on the genre.
Synopsis
Performance (Noh play and Kyogen)
Performance (Koto music)
Interested, but feeling somewhat intimidated? Is this how you feel about traditional Japanese performing arts? Yet, even now, more and more parents want their children to explore the world of traditional performing arts. The problem is the almost complete lack of programs offering children an authentic, high quality, experimental opportunity over a fixed period of time. Most available workshops for children are given either for a short period of time or as one-time-only events.
“Traditional Performing Arts for Kids” is designed to meet such needs. The children will be trained directly by professional artists in various fields for 7 months, and then present the results of their efforts on the big stage.
As children receive lessons from professionals on a regular basis, they will naturally learn both stage techniques and etiquette, and gain an understanding of the intensity of the traditional performing arts. Performance on stage will give them an opportunity to feel a sense of purpose and accomplishment. They will study and learn different types of traditional performing arts and then perform on the same stage at the end of the program. This will give them the opportunity to experience the diversity and depth of traditional Japanese performing arts.
The main purpose of this program is to raise awareness of tradition among children, their families, schools, and communities to enable them to carry it on to the next generation. It also helps them rediscover and deepen their understanding of cultural aspects of Tokyo. The program attracted 277 participants in 2008, and 315 in 2009. We’ve heard the excited voices of those who participated in the previous programs, expressing that they had never expected the program to be as good as it was, that they were glad they had participated, and that they want to continue taking lessons.
“Traditional Performing Arts for Kids” is designed to meet such needs. The children will be trained directly by professional artists in various fields for 7 months, and then present the results of their efforts on the big stage.
As children receive lessons from professionals on a regular basis, they will naturally learn both stage techniques and etiquette, and gain an understanding of the intensity of the traditional performing arts. Performance on stage will give them an opportunity to feel a sense of purpose and accomplishment. They will study and learn different types of traditional performing arts and then perform on the same stage at the end of the program. This will give them the opportunity to experience the diversity and depth of traditional Japanese performing arts.
The main purpose of this program is to raise awareness of tradition among children, their families, schools, and communities to enable them to carry it on to the next generation. It also helps them rediscover and deepen their understanding of cultural aspects of Tokyo. The program attracted 277 participants in 2008, and 315 in 2009. We’ve heard the excited voices of those who participated in the previous programs, expressing that they had never expected the program to be as good as it was, that they were glad they had participated, and that they want to continue taking lessons.
Performance (Noh play, musical accompaniment of a Noh play)
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Performance (Noh play, Noh play dance)
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Performance (NIHONBUYO)
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<application period>
Thursday, July 1 to Saturday, July 31
* In the event that applications exceed quota, participants will be decided by lottery.
*For more information about participation and admission, please contact
“Traditional Performing Arts for Kids” Division Office for Performing Arts Promotion,
Japan Council of Performers’ Organizations
Phone: 03-5909-3060 Fax: 03-5909-3061
E-mail: wageiko@geidankyo.or.jp
Thursday, July 1 to Saturday, July 31
* In the event that applications exceed quota, participants will be decided by lottery.
*For more information about participation and admission, please contact
“Traditional Performing Arts for Kids” Division Office for Performing Arts Promotion,
Japan Council of Performers’ Organizations
Phone: 03-5909-3060 Fax: 03-5909-3061
E-mail: wageiko@geidankyo.or.jp
Japanese traditional performing arts “Trial Sessions”
The children will experience and observe a little of each of the available courses. They can try several different traditional performing arts to decide which course they want to take!
Participation fee: Free (Pre-registration is required)
Venue: Geino-Kadensha (Shinjuku)
Schedule:
1. Morning on Saturday, July 24: NOH - Kyogen (Okura school), HAYASHI, NIHONBUYO
2. Afternoon on Saturday, July 24: NOH-Utai/Shimai (Kanze school), NAGAUTA Shamisen and SOKYOKU-Koto music (Ikuta-school)
3. Morning on Sunday, July 25: NAGAUTA Hayashi, SOKYOKU-Koto-music (Yamada school) and NIHONBUYO
4. Afternoon on July 25: NAGAUTA Hayashi. NAGAUTA Shamisen, NOH-Utai/Shimai (Hosho school)
Application to : “Traditional Performing Arts for Kids” Division Office
TEL: 03-5909-3060
Participation fee: Free (Pre-registration is required)
Venue: Geino-Kadensha (Shinjuku)
Schedule:
1. Morning on Saturday, July 24: NOH - Kyogen (Okura school), HAYASHI, NIHONBUYO
2. Afternoon on Saturday, July 24: NOH-Utai/Shimai (Kanze school), NAGAUTA Shamisen and SOKYOKU-Koto music (Ikuta-school)
3. Morning on Sunday, July 25: NAGAUTA Hayashi, SOKYOKU-Koto-music (Yamada school) and NIHONBUYO
4. Afternoon on July 25: NAGAUTA Hayashi. NAGAUTA Shamisen, NOH-Utai/Shimai (Hosho school)
Application to : “Traditional Performing Arts for Kids” Division Office
TEL: 03-5909-3060
Contact
“Traditional Performing Arts for Kids” Division Office for Performing Arts Promotion,
Japan Council of Performers’ Organizations
Phone: 03-5909-3060 Fax: 03-5909-3061
E-mail: wageiko@geidankyo.or.jp
Japan Council of Performers’ Organizations
Phone: 03-5909-3060 Fax: 03-5909-3061
E-mail: wageiko@geidankyo.or.jp
