Come and experience a variety of traditional performing arts in Kagurazaka!
Concept
We are very happy to inform you that we will hold the event “Kagurazaka Street Stage/O-edo Tour 2014” again this year. This project aims to introduce a variety of traditional performing arts representing Japan, to many people regardless of generations, in an easy-to-understand and enjoyable way. It also showcases the charms of Kagurazaka, a traditional and cultural town resonant with a mixed atmosphere of Old and Modern Tokyo as well as a sense of sophisticated Paris.
Artists from a new face to a veteran, of a wide variety of field and active on the front lines of traditional performing arts, will get together and show you unique performances, with the support by the local people. Any visitor, who is unfamiliar with traditional performing arts, one in younger generation, or a guest from overseas, will surely enjoy those programs.
Last year we had thirty thousand guests enjoyed our program, this year we will have more. In the “Eve” event, the artists who have close tie with Kagurazaka will show you special performances, and in the “Main Festival” a performing art group from Toyama who inherits Edo culture will join us. Please come and enjoy the two days of festival and share a sense of Japanese traditional performing arts in Kagurazaka, where such tradition still exists in life today.
Charms of Kagurazaka
In the 17th century, Kagurazaka was developed as a residential district for “Samurai” soldiers, along the main street that connected the Edo castle and a noble soldier’s residence. Since then it also has been a district of performing arts with traditional music instruments, where a number of culturati loved and lived. The Karyukai * was born here at the end of the Edo period, and became so flourished in the following decades. Especially in the early Showa period (1925 -mid 1930s), the district had some department stores lined up and was so called “Ginza of Yamanote,” meaning another top commercial district on hillside.
*Karyukai: A society or physical district of Geisha Ladies – who have trained manners and skills of traditional music and dancing, and Ryotei - where Geisha Ladies show traditional performances over Japanese course dinner.
The district was completely destroyed by the air raids in the WW II, but rather quickly restored its prosperity in the 1960s. In recent years, the Karyukai has scaled down, yet we still find the steady sense in the district of Ryotei where stone-paved alleys and black-board walls are laid out, with the sounds of shamisen, a traditional music instrument, flowing over. At the same time Kagurazaka hosts many French residents and restaurants that creates atmosphere of somewhat like in back alleys in Paris, adding another charm. Such diversity, harmony of old and new, attracts many people.
Details
Eve
The “night scene in Kagurazaka” is one of the charms of Kagurazaka, and has contributed much to the attractive aspects of the cultural scenes. The places with stone-paved alleys and black-board walls are quite alluring in the evening. Attractions include evening alley strolling, traditional performing arts at fancy shops, “Night Tea Ceremony” with candle lights by the Enshu-ryu Sado members whose head family is in Kagurazaka, and more.
Shop Strolling / Live Performance of Classic Arts
Performers of classic arts related to Kagurazaka will show mini live performances at fancy shops in Kagurazaka.
| When | November 15 (Sat), 2014, around 15:30-21:30 *will be done in case of rain. |
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| Places | 5 restaurants in Kagurazaka (restaurant, pub, and others) |
| Performer and Program | Touonmiyata Yutaka and others (Nagauta music), Tobaya Riseki and others (Nagauta music), Tsuruga Wakasanojo Troupe (Shinnai music), Kasuga Toyotokuhana and others (Kouta music), Ryutei Ichiya (Rakugo comic story) |
| Admission | Free (Subject to pay for food and drink) As for reservations, please contact each restaurant. |
Shinnai Nagashi Performance on the Streets in Kagurazaka
Performers of Shinnai Nagashi, usually consisting of two singers and a shamisen player, perform while walking on the streets and alleys in Kagurazaka. They also play in the restaurants above-mentioned classic performing arts program.)
| Date | November 15 (Sat), 2014, around 17:30/19:00 |
|---|---|
| Place | On the streets, alleys and restaurants in Kagurazaka |
| Performer | Troupe of Tsuruga Wakasanojo, a Living National Treasure living in Kagurazaka |
Kirei-sabi Hikari no Chakai (“Kirei-sabi” Night Tea Ceremony)
Horiuchi Soucho of Kochu-an of Enshu-ryu Sado, whose head family is in Kagurazaka, will hold a tea ceremony. Enjoy a relaxed time of the elegant tea ceremony called “Kirei-sabi” in a fantastic atmosphere with candle decoration.
| When | November 15 (Sat), 2014, 17:00-19:00 |
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| Where | Front place of the Bishamonten (in the case of rain, to be in its Shoin Building) |
| Admission | Free, first come 120 persons *The place will be decorated with candles. |
Main Festival
Having the special “RAKUZA” stage at Bishamonten as the center, many events will be on throughout Kagurazaka, including street performances, dances and traditional parlor games by geishas at Kenban, and Stamp Rally where participants enjoy walking in/around the district. Enjoy the sense of Japanese culture in Kagurazaka, full in harmony of tradition, modern and humanity.
Kagurazaka RAKUZA
Traditional performing art groups related to the history of Kagurazaka, and Japanese traditional music players creating new and stylish images of Kagurazaka will play on the Rakuza stage at Bishamonten. Those new to traditional performing arts will surely enjoy the performances too.
| When | November 16 (Sun), 2014 First Part: 12:30-14:10, Second Part: 14:30-16:10 |
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| Where | Special Stage in the front field of Bishamonten |
| Performer and Program | Yushimatenjin Shiraumetaiko Hozonkai (Japanese drums), Curt & Bruce (Koto Japanese harp & Shakuhachi Japanese flute), AKI & KUNIKO (Guitar & Koto Japanese harp), Houtetsu Kai (Johana folk performing art of Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture), and Tosha Mai (Japanese flute) |
| Admission | Free, reservation not required |
Kagurazaka Stamp Rally "Time Warp"
You can enjoy and learn about Kagurazaka while touring seven points in the district. You may listen to historical guides, from the 17th to 20th centuries at eight particular places in the course. While walking you may encounter samurai soldiers and downtown girls of the Edo period, who will be in photos with you. In the historic town-scape and people you will be back on a traditional scene! If you collect enough stamps, you will get original goods of this event at the exchange place.
| When | November 16 (Sun), 2014, 11:00-16:00 |
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| Where | Throughout Kagurazaka, 7 stamp spots |
| Admission | Free, reservation not required |
Traditional Arts Fair on the Street Corner
Four places are set up on the streets in Kagurazaka where you can enjoy a variety of traditional performing arts while strolling in the district. Performances by a fusion unit of tradition and modern, a performer recreating the spirit of Edo, and others will entertain every visitor, regardless of age or gender.
| When | November 16 (Sun), 2014, 12:00-16:30 |
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| Where | 4 places in Kagurazaka: in front of “Shimakin,” “Yamashita Shikkiten,” “Park Luxe Kagurazakamae Pocket Park, and “Ongakuno Tomosha” |
| Performer and program | Squeeze☆Hajikies (Nagauta Shamisen), Kinohachi (Shakuhachi Japanese flute), Anmitsu (Tsugarushamisen), Yutaka Oyama & Masaki Otawa (Tsugarushamisen & Japanese drum), Seshami Street Boys (Tsugarushamisen performance), Biwa Duo (Satsumabiwa lute), Masaki Nakamura × Hiroyasu Nakajima (Shakuhachi Japanese flute × Koto Japanese harp), Edo-Dai Kagura; Maruichi Senoh Troupe (Edo Dai Kagura music), The Edo Marionette Group (Puppet play), HIDE & AUN with MIHO (Japanese Percussion, Japanese drums and Japanese flute), Gagaku Zanmai (Ancient Japanese Court Music) Nakamura's Family (Sho, Hichiriki, and Ryuteki flutes) |
| Admission | Free, reservation not required |
The Ozashiki Asobi (Experience - Geisha Entertainment)
Ozashiki-asobi is the name of the traditional parlor games with geisha ladies in Japan. This entertainment offers a good opportunity for foreign visitors to enjoy and experience Japanese traditional performing arts in a casual manner. The Kenban (the administration office and training place for Geisha) is the gateway to Karyukai and usually closed to the public. Open for this special occasion.
| When | November 16 (Sun), 2014, Two performances at 13:00-14:00 and 14:30-15:30 (The same program for both performances) |
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| Where | Kenban (the administration office and training place for Geisha Ladies) |
| Performer | Geisha Ladies in Kagurazaka |
| Admission | 2,500 yen *Reservation necessary (Up to 40 persons per performance for two performances = 80 persons in total) *There will be no tickets on the day of the event so please book in advance. *Brochures in English are available on the day. *For tickets, contact “Confetti.” http://confetti-web.com/ 0120-240-540 (Available 10:00-18:00 on weekdays, in Japanese only) Kagurazaka Street Stage/O-edo Tour 2014 Office (Koten Kukan Office) 03-5478-8265 (Available 10:00-18:00 on weekdays, in Japanese only) e-mail: contact@kaguramachi.jp (Available in Japanese, English and French) Ticket sales: from 10:00 on October 1 (Wed), 2014 |
Outline of the Event
| When | Eve: Around 15:30 to 21:30 on November 15 (Sat), 2014, *Rain or Shine. Main Festival: 11:00 to 16:30 on November 16 (Sun), 2014, *Rain or Shine |
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| Where | Kagurazaka and neighborhood – The Bishamonten Zenkokuji Temple (hereinafter “Bishamonten”, Tokyo Kagurazaka Association “Kenban” (the administration and accounting office for Geishas), Kagurazaka Street and other streets/alleys, historic and scenic sites and the others. |
| Admission | Free (The performances at “Kenban” will be subject to fees, reservation required) |
| Contact | Kagurazaka Street Stage/O-edo Tour 2014 Office (Koten Kukan Office), Onogi / Tamatsuka Tel: 03-5478-8265 (10:00-18:00 on Weekdays) / Fax: 03-5478-8267 Official website: http://www.kaguramachi.jp/ |
Arts Council Tokyo (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture)
In collaboration with Shinjuku-ku, Shinjuku Convention & Visitors Bureau, Tokyo Kagurazaka Association, Bishamonten, Ikimachi co., Kagurazaka-Tori Street Association, Kagurazaka Merchants Union, Edo-Tokyo-Guide Group, Enshu-ryu Sado Kochu-an, Tokyo Metropolitan Comprehensive Consumer Center,The Ikimachi Club,KPMG AZSA LLC, and Dai-ichi Kangyo Credit Cooperative(Kagurazaka Branch)
Links
『Ichigayaushigomeezu』 source:National Diet Library