Reigakusha "Celebration Gagaku, Bugaku and Modern Gagaku" Two-city tour in the United States
*Information at the time of adoption.
- Name of the organization or individual
- Reigakusha
- subsidy category
- Creation Grant
- Grant Type
- single year
FY31 (2019) 1st term Creation Grant [Single-year grant program]
Business Overview
The New York-based cultural exchange organization Japan Society held performances of gagaku (traditional Japanese court music) and bugaku (traditional Japanese court music) in two cities in the United States as part of its series of cultural events to celebrate the enthronement of the new emperor in the United States. The main performers are Takeshi Sasamoto (Ryuteki flute), Tamami Higashino (Sho flute), Hitomi Nakamura (Hichiriki instrument), Naoko Miyamaru (Kakko drum) and Shinichi Taniuchi (Dance/Shoko drum), a total of 17 people. The first part, titled "Gagaku of Celebration," will feature performances such as "Aikyoshio," which is performed at the ceremony of the enthronement, "Katatsu," a recitation that has been sung especially often on fine occasions, and "Manzairaku," which is an essential dance for the enthronement of the emperor. In the second part, in order to convey to American audiences the deep appeal of gagaku that still exists today, we performed "Shuteiuta," which was composed by Toru Takemitsu, one of Japan's leading contemporary composers, who was fascinated by gagaku, and "Shoutorashien," which was composed by the late Sukeyasu Shiba, the founder of Reigakusha. Educational activities such as gagaku workshops were held in each city.
- Period of Activity / Project
- Wednesday, September 18, 2019 - 22nd (Sun)
- Venues
- 1) Lafayette University Williams Center for the Arts (Easton, PA/USA) 2) Japan Society Lila Acheson-Wallace Auditorium (New York, NY/USA)
*Information such as project outlines is provided by organizations and individuals providing subsidies.
Profile
Reigakusha
A gagaku performance group founded by Sukeyasu Shiba (1935-2019 He became a member of the Japan Art Academy and received the Order of Culture.) in 1985 for the purpose of studying the ensemble of gagaku. Since its establishment, it has been actively engaged in not only the current classical pieces of Gagaku, but also the reproduction of abolished pieces, the restoration of Shosoin instruments, and the performance of modern pieces, and has been developing a wide range of activities both in Japan and abroad. In the independently planned performances, he often premieres new commissioned works of modern gagaku and classical gagaku styles. They hold concerts that are friendly to others and strive to promote understanding of gagaku and the spread of gagaku. Many educational programs such as workshops and lecture concerts are held for elementary, junior high and high school students. His performances of 'Shuteiga Ichigu' (Autumn Garden Poetry) won him the Kenzo Nakajima Music Award Special Prize in 2002, the Arts Festival Record Division Excellence Prize in 2002, and the 16 Keizo SAJI Prize in 2016.