June 3, 2016
Arts Council Tokyo
Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture

Arts Council Tokyo Announces FY 2016 Lineup
of Traditional Culture Programs
The Arts Council Tokyo under the wing of the Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History
and Culture will hold a variety of programs, including a large-scale outdoor festival topromote traditional Japanese culture and performing arts, and a series ofworkshops/shows intended for foreign visitors at tourist attractions in the Tokyo
metropolitan area.
The council holds a wide variety of innovative new projects and programs for easy access and enjoyment ofauthentic traditional culture and performing arts. These programs are intended for people who are unfamiliar
with traditional culture and performing arts, foreign visitors, and children who are responsible for the futureof traditional culture. The following program lineup will be implemented in fiscal 2016 through March 2017.
1. Festivals
We will hold a festival which conveys the appeal of traditional culture to both inside and outside of Japan.
The festival will make it easy for many people to experience traditional culture, while also pursuing theuniqueness and diversity of Tokyo. As a new initiative this year, we will hold events such as a festival which
is held in the Hachioji area while utilizing the cultural resources of the Tama region.
2. Programs for foreign visitors
At locations such as tourist attractions in the Tokyo metropolitan area, we will hold accessible shortprograms which allow foreign visitors to experience traditional Japanese culture and performing arts. We will
also hold authentic programs which combine hands-on experience with the viewing of performances.
3. Traditional performing arts concerts
In order to broadly convey the appeal of traditional Japanese culture and performing arts, we will hold easyto-understand performances of authentic traditional performing arts so that the young generation and foreign
visitors can become familiar with traditional culture and performing arts.
4. Programs for children
In order to give children the opportunity to come into contact with traditional Japanese culture andperforming arts, we will hold hands-on experience programs at schools in Tokyo, and programs which
combine several months of instruction at facilities such as Noh theaters in Tokyo with the presentation ofprogram results.
Please refer to the attached list for program details. (Total of 8 pages)<Inquiries Regarding this Release & Media Coverage>
Tokyo Tradition Office, Arts Council Tokyo(PR Representative: Uno)

TEL: 03-5369-4541 (10:00～18:00)

admi1@tokyo-tradition.jp

Official Website

E-mailhttp://www.tokyo-tradition.jp/

Program 1:
Program
Date
Venue
Content

Performers

Organized by

Supported by andin cooperation
withLegendary Tamatebako (Treasure Box) - Tama Traditional Culture Festival 2016
Saturday, November 26, and Sunday, November 27, 2016
Area around Hachioji Station (U-Road (Nishi Hoshasen U-Road)), Hachiman Yakumo
Shrine, etc.
Authentic performances at downtown venues, outdoor stages and shrine halls dedicatedin cooperation with municipalities and arts/cultural organizations of the Tama Region andprograms designed with local universities making the best of cultural resources of theregion will entertain the visitors.
Nishikawa Koryu Troupe, Hachioji Geisha Guild, Association for Preservation of Akigawa
Kabuki (Akiruno Za), Mitsume Hayashi Promotion Association, Tokyo Zokei University
Graduate School Hachioji Shadow Play Project, and others
Arts Council Tokyo (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture)
Hachioji College Community & Culture Fureai Foundation
Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Hachioji City

Program 2:
Program

Tokyo Grand Tea Ceremony 2016

Date

Saturday, September 24, and Sunday, September 25, 2016 (1)Saturday, October 15, and Sunday, October 16, 2016 (2)Venue(1) Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum, (2) Hama-rikyu Gardens
Tokyo Grand Tea Ceremony is a large-scale tea ceremony festival which is open toparticipation from the general public. Participants can attend tea ceremonies held inbuildings at the Hama-rikyu Gardens and Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum,and open-air ceremonies held under the autumn sky.
All tea ceremonies are held in cooperation with organizations which conduct activities inTokyo. A variety of tea ceremony schools, including the three major historical schools
Omote-senke, Ura-senke and Mushanokoji-senke; collectively known as the San-senke,
they will gather for the Grand Tea Ceremony.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Arts Council Tokyo (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for
History and Culture)

Content

Organized by
Co-organized by(scheduled)
Supported by(scheduled)
Cooperated by

Tokyo Metropolitan Park Association [in Hama-rikyu Gardens]
Chuo City [in Hama-rikyu Gardens]
Koganei City, Koganei City Chamber of Commerce and Industry [in Edo-Tokyo Open Air
Architectural Museum]
Tokyo Metropolitan Tea Ceremony/Flower Arrangement Federation [in Hama-rikyu
Gardens]
Tokyo Metropolitan Tea Ceremony Association, Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural
Museum (scheduled) [in Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum]Program 3:
ProgramKagurazaka Street Stage O-edo Tour 2016 (Japanese Traditional Culture Festival)

Date[Eve] Saturday, November 12 [Main Festival] Sunday, November 13, 2016

Venue

Kagurazaka Area

Content

We will hold a variety of sophisticated and stylish traditional performing arts events at
Bishamonten Zenkoku-ji Temple, Kagurazaka-dori street, and the stone-paved alleys of
the Kagurazaka district, where the traditional blends with the modern.
We also offer traditional Japanese parlor games (ozashiki-asobi) experience and a oneday stamp-collecting event (a program in which people visit a range of locations tocollect stamps in order to get traditional Japanese hand towels.) that facilitates contact
with Japan's traditional culture, performing arts and meeting the charm of this area foreveryone including non-Japanese and the young generation.

Organized byArts Council Tokyo (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture), NPO
Ikimachi Club

Supported by andin cooperation with

Tokyo Metropolitan Government

Program 4:
ProgramEngei Workshop

Date

Every Saturday from April 9, 2016, to March 25, 2017
(Excluding December 31, 2016)

Time

12:30~13:00, 14:00~14:30, 16:00~16:30
Edo-Tokyo Museum
Participants can experience techniques used in a variety of performances (traditional
acrobatics, “kamikiri” paper crafts, and Japanese magic tricks) which are still popular atvaudeville shows even today. The event also includes performances and examples byprofessional performers. Participants can experience the skillful techniques used in theauspicious art of umbrella rotating, kamikiri crafts in which simple shapes are createdusing only paper and scissors, and magic which has been performed since the Edo
period (1603-1867).
*Contents vary depending on the day.
Free (separate fee required for viewing a permanent exhibition)
Participation is on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Arts Council Tokyo (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture)

Venue
Content

Price
How to Participate
Organized by
Supported by andin cooperation with

Tokyo Metropolitan Government

Cooperated byRAKUGO GEIJYUTSU association

Program 5:
Program
Date

Time
Venue
Content

Price
How to Participate
Organized by
Co-organized by

Traditional Japanese Dance Workshop
Every Sunday from April 10, 2016, to March 26, 2017
(Excluding May 15, July 31, September 18, and December 11 in 2016, and January 1,
January 8, February 12, February 26, and March 12 in 2017)11:30~12:30, 13:30~14:30, 15:30~16:30
Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center
This program allows participants to experience simple movements of Nihon Buyo
(traditional Japanese dance) while wearing a “yukata” (informal cotton kimono).
Participants can also watch professional dancers perform a short section of Fuji Musume(Wisteria Maiden). There will also be an opportunity to take photos with instructors at the
end.
Free
Sign up on the 1st floor of the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center on the day ofthe program
Arts Council Tokyo (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture)
Taito City

Supported by andin cooperation with

Tokyo Metropolitan Government

Cooperated by

Japanese Classical Dance Association (Joto Block, Tokyo Branch)

Program 6:
Program
Date

Time
Venue
Content

Price
How to Participate
Organized by
Co-organized by

Shamisen of Nagauta Workshop
Saturday, December 10, and Sunday, December 11, 2016; Saturday, January 7, andSunday, January 8; Saturday, February 11, and Sunday, February 12; Saturday, March
11 and Sunday, March 12, 2017.
Scheduled to be held 4 times per day.
Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center“Nagauta,” which originated as the kabuki music and developed as shamisen (threestring instrument) music, is a type of traditional Japanese music played on shamisen.
You can try shamisen and professional Nagauta players will give a powerful performanceand explain Nagauta in a way that makes it easy even for first-timers to understand.
Free
Sign up on the 1st floor of the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center on the day ofthe program
Arts Council Tokyo (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture)
Taito City

Supported by andin cooperation with

Tokyo Metropolitan Government

Cooperation by

Nagauta Association

Program 7:
Program Name
Date
Venue
Content

Price
How to Participate
Organized by
Supported by andin cooperation with

Kado Workshop
Saturday, October 15, and Sunday, October 16, 2016
Hama-rikyu Gardens
A simple explanation of Kado (flower arrangement) will be provided and participants cantry Kado under the instruction of professional teachers. After the workshop, participants
can make flower arrangement at home.
To be confirmed (admission fee is charged for Hama-rikyu Gardens.)
To be confirmed
Arts Council Tokyo (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture)
Tokyo Metropolitan Government

Program 8:
Program
Date
Time
Venue
Content

Performers
Price
On SaleOrganized by

Let’s All Enjoy the World of Nihon Buyo - The Japan - (provisional name)Saturday, March 4, 2017
Doors open at 13:00. Performance starts at 14:00. (scheduled times)
Nihonbashi Public Hall (Nihonbashi Theater)
Foreign visitors can enjoy the performances of Nihon Buyo (traditional Japanese dance)and Hogaku (traditional Japanese music). In addition to hands-on experiences in playing
traditional Japanese instruments such as the Shamisen three-string guitar and Taikodrums, participants can also try on stage makeup and costumes. Participants can view
performances based on themes representing Japan, and the program will provide easyto-understand enjoyment of traditional performing arts.
Senyoichi Nishikawa, Etsuko Fujima, Yuka Mizuki, Jutaichiro Hanayagi, Satojiro
Wakayagi, and others
Adult: 1,000 yen, Student: 500 yen (scheduled)
Around October to November, 2016 (scheduled)
Arts Council Tokyo (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture)

Supported by andin cooperation with

Tokyo Metropolitan Government

Cooperated by

The Asahi Shimbun Company

Produced byAnother company

Program 9:
Program

Noh theater in the garden - Spreading Japanese elegance from Tokyo to the world -Date

Friday, March 24, and Saturday, March 25, 2017Time

To be confirmed
Gardens of Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum (outdoors)*In the event of rain, scheduled to be held at Kita Noh Theatre
For two days in early spring, outdoor Noh performances will be held in the gardens of
the Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum. Enjoy these performances and forget about
the hustle and bustle of the city. In addition to popular programs such as “Yashima” and“Kurama Tengu,” both of which portray the war hero Minamoto Yoshitsune. Hands-on
programs will also offer the opportunity to touch masks, costumes and instruments. The
programs will allow foreign visitors who are unfamiliar with traditional performing arts tofully enjoy Noh.
Friday, March 24:
Seiji Kagawa, Akio Shiotsu, Kinya Hosho, Mansai Nomura, and others (scheduled)
Saturday, March 25:
Akiyo Tomoeda, Takehito Tomoeda, Hiroshi Obinata, and others (scheduled)
Adult: 3,000 yen, Student: 1,500 yen (scheduled)
Around October to November, 2016 (scheduled)
Arts Council Tokyo (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture)
Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History andCulture)Venue
Content

Performers

Price
On SaleOrganized by
Co-organized by
Supported by andin cooperation with
Cooperated by
Produced by

Tokyo Metropolitan Government
The Asahi Shimbun Company
Roppeita XIV Commemorative Foundation

Program 10:
Program
Date
Time
Venue
Content

Performers
Price
On SaleOrganized by

Rakugo: Traditional Storytelling and Traditional Geisha Dances
Monday, September 19 (national holiday), 2016
Doors open at 14:30. Performance starts at 15:00. (scheduled times)
National Theatre
This entertaining performance of traditional arts features “rakugo” (traditional comic
storytelling), which developed in the merchant culture of Edo, as well as the traditional
dance and music by Geisha which shows the atmosphere of the historical entertainment
district of the city. This year, we plan to create an even more exciting performance byadding new features.
Geisha groups from Shinbashi, Akasaka, Asakusa, Kagurazaka, Yoshicho, Mukojima,and others
S Seat: 5,000 yen, A Seat: 4,000 yen, Student: 2,000 yen
Early July 2016 (scheduled)
Arts Council Tokyo (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture)

Supported by andin cooperation with

Tokyo Metropolitan Government

Cooperated by

The Asahi Shimbun Company

Program 11:
Program
Date
Time
Venue
Content

Performers
Price
Organized by
Supported by andin cooperation with

17th Tama River Basin Folk Performance Festival
Sunday, December 4, 2016
Doors open at 12:00. Performance starts at 12:30. (scheduled times)
Komae Ecorma Hall
In order to revitalize local performing arts and promote regional culture through theexchange of regional culture from the Tama River Basin, 9 groups will perform local arts
which were born in the Tama River Basin.
Local performing arts groups from 9 municipalities in the Tama River BasinFree
Tama River Basin Folk Performance Festival Executive Committee
Arts Council Tokyo (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture)
Tokyo Metropolitan Government

Program 12:
ProgramDate

J-CULTURE FEST (provisional name)<Collaborative Project>

Monday, January 2 and Tuesday, January 3, 2017Time
To be confirmed
Venue
Tokyo International Forum Hall B7
Content
By cooperating with the J-CULTURE FEST event which is held by the Tokyo
International Forum and conveys the appeal of Japanese culture from the traditional tothe modern, we will hold traditional performing arts which can be easily enjoyed byanyone.
Performers
Mansai Nomura and others
Price
3,000 yen (scheduled)
On SaleEnd of August, 2016 (scheduled)*This program is held in cooperation with the following event.
<J-CULTURE FEST>・Date
Sunday, January 1 (national holiday) to Tuesday, January 3, 2017
・Organized by Tokyo International Forum Co.LTD
・Co-organized by Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Arts Council Tokyo (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundationfor History and Culture)

Documentation 13:
Program
Date
Time
Venue
Content

Performers
Price
On SaleOrganized by
Supported by andin cooperation with
Cooperated by
Backing by

Celtic Noh “At the Hawk’s Well”
Thursday, February 16, 2017
Doors open at 18:00. Performance starts at 19:00. (scheduled times)
Bunkamura Orchard Hall
A new production of “At the Hawk’s Well,” originally composed by Irish poet and Nobel
Prize winner W.B. Yeats, has been created through collaboration between Noh players
including Gensho Umewaka (designated as a Living National Treasure) and the Irish
Celtic chorus ensemble Anuna. Through this production, we will re-examine the influenceof Japanese Noh on art throughout the world over a 100-year period, and broadly
advertise Noh’s impact both in Japan and overseas.
Gensho Umewaka (Noh player), Anuna (Celtic ensemble), etc.
S Seat: 6,000 yen, A Seat: 5,000 yen (3rd-floor seats), Student: 4,000 yen (3rd-floor
seats)
Thursday, October 20, 2016
Arts Council Tokyo (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture)
Tokyo Metropolitan Government
The Asahi Shimbun Company
Embassy of Ireland

Production
Support by

Dance West

Produced by

PlanktonDocumentation 14:
Program
Date
Venue
Content

Organized by
Supported by andin cooperation with

Traditional culture and performing arts experience program for children
All year round
Schools in Tokyo
Within the framework of school education, we will organize programs, combining handson experience with the viewing of performances in order to give children the opportunity
to come into contact with Japan’s traditional culture and performing arts, thereby
providing them with accurate, deeper understanding of the value of Japanese culture, as
well as instilling in them broader understanding of diverse forms of culture.
Arts Council Tokyo (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture)
Tokyo Metropolitan Government

Documentation 15:
Program
Date
Venue
Content

Organized by

Traditional Performing Arts for Kids
All year roundUmewaka Noh Theatre, National Theatre, etc.
This long-term program aims to deepen understanding and appreciation among theyounger generation toward traditional performing arts which are valued by Japan. In thisprogram, children will receive direct instruction from leading performers of Noh, Nihon
Buyo dance, Sankyoku music and Nagauta music over a period of several months. The
program culminates with children giving performances with professional stage sets.
There will also be classes specifically aimed for junior and senior high school students,
as well as Okeiko Summer Camp, a community-based short-term program in which
students can experience Okeiko (performance training) and give actual performances
during summer vacation.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Arts Council Tokyo (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for
History and Culture)
Japan Council of Performers Rights & Performing Arts Organizations [Geidankyo]