Practical experience course
November 10, 24, December 8, 22, 2024 at 17 classrooms in Tokyo, Free selection
Practical experience course (ensemble)
January 12, 2025 at Tsukiji Social Education Center, Chuo City, Tokyo
Rehearsal for performance
February 1, 2025 at Akasaka Civic Center Hall, Minato City, Tokyo
Performance
February 2, 2025 at Akasaka Civic Center Hall, Minato City, Tokyo

Hands-on experience event
Koto, Shamisen

Number of practical skill sessions per participant (including presentation/rehearsals for presentation)
7 sessions

Principal instructor
Mayumi Ono, along with 13 other instructors

Event features
Participants will be divided into several groups based on their skill levels. This allows everyone, from young children to adults, to enjoy the experience at their own pace. The final session includes a stage performance.
For the stage performance, the composition “Sakura Ranman,” which participants will practice in workshop sessions, will be performed on stage with professional musicians.

Participants can also learn traditional Japanese room etiquette and the proper way to sit in a formal manner (seiza).

Publicity methods for the recruitment of participants (collaboration, cooperation, networking, etc.)
To recruit participants, we plan to create flyers, post/distribute them around communities and to concert halls, and publicize the program on social media. With the cooperation of elementary schools near the places where the program is being held, flyers for concurrent activities under the National Institution for Youth Education’s Kodomo Yume Fund will be distributed to all students at the schools in question. These flyers will encourage parents and children to participate in the program together.
With the support of program host areas (Minato City, Bunkyo City, Koto City, Shinagawa City, Meguro City, Ota City, Setagaya City, Shibuya City, and Machida City ), the Association also plans to distribute program flyers to public facilities such as libraries and civic centers.　

Ways to enable participants to continue with practical skills experience (other than programs covered by this grant) after the end of the event
After the workshop ends, participants can continue to take lessons.
While outlining the appeal of technical aspects that have not been fully mastered within the workshop period, we will present the next specific theme (song). “Sakura Ranman” used in the practical skills sessions features parts of the same song, which can be developed step by step according to progress, in a strategy designed to excite interest. In addition, by competing in the workshop category of the Hanamizuki National Junior Competition for Japanese Music and Dance – an event organized by the Association – and also by providing ongoing information on events in different genres sponsored by the Association, we strive to strengthen understanding and interest in the various genres of Japanese traditional performing arts – not just the Koto and Shamisen – so that program participants can become effective performance-goers and supporters of these arts.