Kagurazaka Rakuza – Storytellers′ Theater
We present traditional storytelling performances such as historical kodan tales by young professional storytellers, biwa-gatari accompanied by Japanese lute, joruri ballad style (gidayu-bushi) and rokyoku narrative. Even people new to traditional performing arts will enjoy these accessible performances.
*For details of the Eve please click here.
We present traditional storytelling performances such as historical kodan tales by young professional storytellers, biwa-gatari accompanied by Japanese lute, joruri ballad style (gidayu-bushi) and rokyoku narrative. Even people new to traditional performing arts will enjoy these accessible performances.
Date / Time
Sunday, May 12, 12:00-16:40
*Approximate performance times
Venue
Special stage at Bishamonten Zenkoku-ji Temple
Admission
Free
Performers
Takemoto Kyonosuke with Tsuruzawa Kazu (gidayu-bushi)
Fujitaka Rieko (chikuzen-biwa)
Tamagawa Nanafuku with Sawamura Toyoko (rokyoku)
Tanabe Ginya (kodan storytelling)
Host
Ishii Yokichi (owner of Sukeroku store)
Two live music spots will be set up along Kagurazaka’s main street Kagurazaka-dori, where you can encounter a variety of traditional performing arts. From musical units that fuse the traditional and modern to seasoned performers keeping the spirit of Edo alive, these live performances in a variety of genres will wow visitors of all ages with their breathtaking techniques and captivating virtuoso performances.
Date / Time
Sunday, May 12, 12:00 – 17:10
*Approximate performance times
Venue
Kagurazaka area (Kagurazaka-ue crossing and Park Luxe Kagurazaka “pocket park”)
Admission
Free
Performers
GMQ (shakuhachi bamboo flute)
Kyu-ren-ja (kokyu Japanese fiddle)
Yurara (gagaku ancient court music)
Wada Natsuki (tezuma traditional Japanese magic)
Seshami Street Boys (Tsugaru shamisen)
Koto (fue bamboo flute) with Tada Ayako (nijugogen koto)
Oyama Yutaka (Tsugaru shamisen), Kominato Akihisa (shakuhachi) and Otawa Masaki (taiko Japanese drum)
Maruichi Senoh Troupe (Edo-daikagura Japanese traditional performing arts)
Kagurazaka is renowned for its atmospheric back alleys and side streets, with their cobblestones and black wooden walls and fences. If you take a wander around them, as if by chance you will come across a roving musical performance. The stylish-looking strolling performers will be performing their traditional shinnai-nagashi shamisen music around the streets of Kagurazaka again this year.
Likewise, the immensely-popular iori-uta music of the Hikiyama Matsuri festival from the Johana area of Nanto City in Toyama Prefecture will be performed again this year by a young troupe parading through Kagurazaka’s streets. As the musicians become one with the old-world look of the streets, the atmosphere of old Edo is brought back to life for a short time.
【Shinnai-nagashi performance】
Date / Time
Sunday, May 12, 12:30-13:00 / 14:00-14:30 / 15:30-16:00
*Approximate performance times
Venue
The streets of Kagurazaka (Starting from Jinai Park)
Admission
Free
Performers
Tsuruga Wakasanojo shamisen troupe (Tsuruga Isekichi and others)
【Johana folk performance of iori-uta music】
Date / Time
Sunday, May 12, 12:00-12:40 / 13:10-13:50 / 14:20-15:00
*Approximate performance times
Venue
Streets of Kagurazaka (Starting from Bishamonten Zenkoku-ji Temple)
Admission
Free
Performers
Houtetsu Kai (Johana iori-uta music troupe)
Kami-asobi performance
Kami-asobi, music and dance performed as an offering to the gods, is new to the festival this year. While Bishamonten plays host to traditional narrative and storytelling arts, Akagi-jinja Shrine will be the venue for musical performances.
On the steps in front of the main Akagi-jinja Shrine building, visitors can relax and enjoy Edo-daikagura, shakuhachi, koto, kokyu, guitar and more in a performance sufficient to get the gods up and on their feet.
Date/time
Sunday, May 12, 12:00 – 15:40
*Approximate performance times
Venue
The grounds of Akagi-jinja Shrine
Admission
Free
Performers
Maruichi Senoh Troupe (Edo-daikagura)
Tone (shakuhachi, koto and guitar)
KODACHI (kokyu, keyboard synthesizer)
Ozashiki-asobi refers to the uniquely Japanese entertainment form of traditional parlor games played with geisha. After enjoying songs, shamisen and dancing by Kagurazaka’s geisha, visitors can experience playing “ozashiki games” together at the “Kenban.”This gateway to the world of the geisha is the geisha’s administrative office and training place, and usually closed to the public. English interpreting is provided so that everyone including non-Japanese will find this event accessible and easy to understand.
Date / Time
Sunday, May 12
1st Performance: 13:00-14:00
2nd Performance: 14:30-15:30
*Program is the same for both performances.
Venue
Kenban (The Tokyo Kagurazaka Association)
Performers
Geisha of Kagurazaka
Dancers: Eiko, Fukuko, Shiho
Musicians: Mayumi (songs), Natsue and Sakurako (shamisen) and Yumie (drum)
Admission
2,500 yen
*Prior reservation is required (Capacity: up to 40 participants per performance)
*English brochures and consecutive interpretation are available on the day
*For tickets, contact Confetti
https://www.confetti-web.com/ or TEL: 0120-240-540 (weekdays 10:00 – 18:00)
Since the Edo period, Akagi-jinja Shrine has been renowned as a place to watch the sunset. Its fine modern Kagura hall will host a performance that gets off to a lively start with tezuma traditional Japanese magic, followed by performance on the okraulo, a shakuhachi/flute hybrid (with the cooperation of Okura Bunka Zaidan / Okura Shukokan), and glamorous, charming and highly spirited performances of nagauta shamisen and hogaku-bayashi music by female musicians.
For the diverse finale, performers and everyone involved in the festival will join the audience in bringing the event to a close.
Date / Time
Sunday, May 12 from 17:30
Venue
Akagi-jinja Shrine Kagura Hall
Admission
Free
Performers
Wada Natsuki (Tezuma traditional Japanese magic)
Kominato Akihisa with Matsushita Naoki and Motonaga Hiromu (Okraulo)
Tobaya Riseki ensemble (nagauta shamisen) with Mochizuki Harumi ensemble (hogaku-bayashi music)
Host
Cyril Coppini (rakugo performer)
Kagurazaka Time Slip (Stamp rally / historical tour/ Kids’ Square)
We will be holding a stamp rally taking you around seven historical places in Kagurazaka. The course includes eight historical spots with expert guides to tell you about Kagurazaka’s past. In Shirogane Park, there will be demonstrations of old-fashioned street performance like kami-shibai paper theater and Edo marionettes, as well as an area for traditional children’s games like spinning top and cup-and-ball. Not just children but adults too will enjoy this trip down memory lane. An original, limited-edition commemorative Japanese hand towel will be given to participants who collect all seven stamps.
Date / Time
Sunday, May 12, 11:30-16:00 (stamps can be exchanged for towel gifts until 16:30. Quantities are limited)
Venue
[Stamp rally checkpoints]
Bishamonten Zenkoku-ji Temple / Kosho-ji Temple /Enpuku-ji Temple / Shirogane Park / Jinai Park / Karuko-zaka slope / Wakamiya Park
[Historical spots with guides]
Checkpoints above (apart from Akagi-jinja Shrine) plus Geisha-shinmichi alley [Kids’ Square]
Shirogane Park / Jinai Park (street performance only)
Admission
Free (rally maps with stamp sheets to be given out at each point)
Performers
Shibuya gagekidan troupe (kami-shibai paper theater show), Kamijo Mitsuru (Edo marionette show)
*Programs are subject to change.
Kagurazaka Street Stage / O-edo Tour 2018 Office (inside Koten Kukan Office)
TEL: 03-5478-8265
Sunday, May 12 2019, 11:30-18:30
*This event will be carried out rain or shine but will be cancelled in the case of a stormy weather.
