What we do

Reigakusha Gagaku Project for next generation

  • Organization : Reigakusha
  • Section : None
  • Type of Grant Program : Long
  • Art Forms : Japanese Traditional Art

Outline of the project

Gagaku ancient court music has been handed down for over a thousand years since the Heian period. The objective of this project is to increase Gagaku’s audience base to include children, and boost overall audience numbers so that the tradition will continue to evolve and be passed down for hundreds or thousands of years to come. Organizer Reigakusha, a Gagaku ensemble and research group celebrating its 30th anniversary, is also looking to expand the scale of its activity with this project. It aims to create programs and pieces accessible and attractive for children, the guardians and leaders of culture for the next generation.

Project outline

(1) Gagaku for Children concert
This event features performances of Sukeyasu Shiba’s “Ponta and the Thunder God” and others, Bugaku (court dance), commentary on Gagaku, a chance to try Shōga (a unique method of learning instrumental parts through singing), an introduction to/performance with Gagaku instruments, and an introduction to/performance with instruments of Nara period reconstructed after thoseof the Shōsōin treasure house.
(2) The production of a CD of Gagaku pieces and a DVD introducing
Gagaku and targeting children (to be made commercially available and donated to libraries in metropolitan Tokyo).
(3) Commissioning and premiere of new Gagaku pieces for children such as
Sunao Isaji’s new work “Gagaku pieces for children” and others.


【First year】
(1) Reigakusha Gagaku for Children concert
Details:
Reigakusha wants children and people hearing Gagaku for the first time to know what Gagaku is like, which they hope will lead to an increased audience base for Gagaku going forward. In the first half there is a commentary on the instruments, Shōga etc., followed by a brief introduction to the classic Gagaku Kangen instrumental ensemble and Bugaku pieces. In the second half, a performance of Gagaku pieces will be accompanied by a narration designed to familiarize the child audience with the sound of Gagaku in a fun way. During the break, children can get up close to the instruments at an interactive corner at the venue.
Date: Thursday, August 20, 2015
Venue: Hokutopia Tsutsuji Hall, Kita City, Tokyo

Program:
Part 1
What is Gagaku?

What do Gagaku instruments sound like?
Sing Shōga for “Etenraku”
Listen to Gagaku music
Hyojo no Netori, Etenraku, Bairo
Warabe-uta “Antagatadokosa” (nursery rhyme for a children’s game)
Watch Bugaku “Genjoraku” dance
Break
Experience Gagaku instruments
(Kakko, Taiko, Shouko, Shō, Hichiriki, Ryuteki)
Part 2
Japanese fairy tales and Gagaku

“Ponta and the Thunder God”: composition and dramatization by Sukeyasu Shiba
(2) Recording of Gagaku pieces for children
Details:

In order to increase the audience base for Gagaku, organizers will record Gagaku pieces for a CD to be produced in 2016for children.
Recording date: Monday, December 7, 2015
Recording venue: YotsuyaKumin Hall, Shinjuku City, Tokyo
(3) Filming for DVD introducingGagaku
Details:

Organizers will make a video recording for a child-oriented DVD introducing Gagaku. The DVD will be produced in 2016 with the aim of popularizing Gagaku and increasing its audience base.
Recording date: Friday, March 4, 2016
Recording venue: Yotsuya Kumin Hall, Shinjuku City, Tokyo


【Second year】
(1) Production of a CD of Gagaku pieces for children
Details: We will produce a CD of Gagaku pieces for children in a bid to expand the audience base for Gagaku.
Title: “Gagaku for Children: Ponta and the Thunder God”
Recordings: “Ponta and the Thunder God” (Composition and script by Sukeyasu Shiba) / “Karabō Sails with the Wind” (Composition and script by Sukeyasu Shiba) / KangenHyojo no Netori, Etenraku, Bairo / from Bugaku Ryōō / EtenrakuImayō / Warabe-uta “Antagatadokosa”
Release date: May 11, 2016
Released by: Reigakusha
(2) Survey on Gagaku teaching in schools
Details:
Reigakusha will conduct a fact-finding survey on Gagaku education in 2,000 or so elementary and junior high schools in metropolitan Tokyo. The aim is to use the findings in the creation of future child-oriented Gagaku pieces and concert programs.
Survey school: 2318 schools including elementary, junior-high and special-needs schools in Tokyo.
(3) Workshops for composers and musicians for gagakupieces
Reigakusha will hold workshops with composers and musicians performers in order to prepare for new works to be premiered under this project in 2017.
Participating composers: Keiko Fujiie, Michio Kitazume, Akiko Yamane, Sunao Isaji, Tamami Tono
Date: October 22, 2015 — March 6, 2017 (8 workshops in total)
(4) Gagaku for Children concert 2016
Details: A continuance of the concert series held last year.
Date: Saturday, August 6, 2016
Venue: Dai-Ichi Seimei Hall, Chuo City, Tokyo
Program:
Part 1
What do Gagaku instruments sound like?

Sing Shōga for “Etenraku”
Listen to Kangen “Hyojo no Netori, Etenraku”
Listen to “EtenrakuImayō”
Warabe-uta “Antagatadokosa” (nursery rhyme for a children’s game)
Watch Bugaku “Ryōō” dance
Break
Experience Gagaku instruments

(Kakko, Taiko, Shouko, Shō, Hichiriki, Ryuteki)
Part 2
Japanese fairy tales and Gagaku

“Karabō Sails with the Wind”: composition and dramatization by Sukeyasu Shiba
(5)Production of DVD introducing Gagaku
Details: We will produce a DVD of Gagaku pieces for children in a bid to increase the audience base for Gagaku.
Title: “Gagaku Music for Children”
Recordings: Kangen: Hyojo no Netori, Etenraku / from Bugaku Ryōō / from “Ponta and the Thunder God” (Composition and script by Sukeyasu Shiba) / from “Music based on the Dunhuang lute manuscripts” (Composition by Sukeyasu Shiba) / from “In an Autumn Garden” (Composition by Toru Takemitsu)
Release date: June 8, 2016
Released by: Reigakusha


【Third year】
(1) Reigakusha Gagaku Concert no. 32
Details: The premiere of 5 new pieces commissioned under this project, aimed at children and people listening to Gagaku for the first time.
Date: Thursday, May 25, 2017
Venue: Yotsuya Kumin Hall, Shinjuku City, Tokyo
Program:
“TenTenTenStar” composed by Akiko Yamane (commissioned premiere)
“Hitomi no IrowaYoru no Sora” by Keiko Fujiie (commissioned premiere)
“Gagaku Emaki: Chōjū-giga for replicas of Nara period instruments from the Shōsōin treasure house” by Tamami Tono (commissioned premiere)
“Kisetsu no Ehon” by Michio Kitazume (commissioned premiere)
“Odore! Tsukumogami” by SunaoIsaji (commissioned premiere)
(2) Gagaku for Children concert 2017
Details: A continuance of the concert series.
Date: Monday, July 31, 2017
Venue: YotsuyaKumin Hall, Shinjuku City, Tokyo
Program:
Part 1
What do Gagaku instruments sound like?

Sing Shōga for “Etenraku”
Listen to Kangen “Hyojo no Netori, Etenraku”
Watch Bugaku “Konju”dance
Break
Experience Gagaku instruments

(Kakko, Taiko, Shouko, Shō, Hichiriki, Ryuteki)
Part 2
Gagaku for children “Kikimimizukin”: composition and dramatization by Tamami Tono

Profile

Reigakusha
Established in 1985, Reigakusha engages in Gagaku ensemble performance and research. Led by musical director Sukeyasu Shiba, the group engages in performing existing Gagaku repertoires as well as reviving obsolete numbers and millennia-old musical instruments preserved at the ancient Imperial storehouse, Shosoin. Their repertoires also include contemporary compositions. On the performance front, Reigakusha has been active both in Japan and abroad, partaking in major music events and festivals. Recent activities also include workshops and introductory lectures for school.

Contact

Naoko Miyamaru
Director
Reigakusha
Sen-nichidani-kaido, 19-2 Minamimotomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0012
Tel:+81-(0)3-5259-2011
Fax:+81-(0)3-5259-2011
E-mail:naoko@reigakusha.com