October, 2021

PRESS RELEASE #01
Japan Council of Performers Rights & Performing Arts Organizations [GEIDANKYO]

Online Video streaming distribution

A cross talk “Tracing the life of Minamoto no Yoshitsune
with three traditional performing arts
(English subtitles will be added in December 2021)

Geidankyo has been developing the "NOBODY KNOWS" project, which rediscovers thecharms of "Japan Heritage" * and local culture throughout Japan from the perspectiveof traditional performing arts, and connects them to tourism since 2019. NOBODYKNOWS project is proud to announce a release of the first video (archived online) thisyear. The theme is “Minamoto no Yoshitsune”, one of the greatest and the mostpopular samurai warriors of Kamakura era (1185 to 1333) and of Japan history. A crosstalk is now available: “Tracing the life of Minamoto no Yoshitsune with traditional
performing arts - Nambu Kagura, Nogaku, Kabuki, Nihonbuyo” at Chusonji Temple,designated as both Japan Heritage Site and World Heritage Site.
* Japan Heritage: An initiative by Agency for Cultural Affairs that certifies stories that tell Japaneseculture and traditions as "Japan Heritage" through history and charms across the nation. The purpose
is to revitalize regions and promote tourism by packaging tangible and intangible cultural properties ineach region related to the story. As of June 2020, 104 locations have been certified.

NOBODY KNOWS2021 1st program at Hiwaizumi, Iwate Pref.

“Tracing the life of Minamoto no Yoshitsune with performing arts - Nambu
Kagura, Nogaku, Nihonbuyo” (English subtitles will be added in December 2021)
Date ： 1st October,2021 ～ 31st March,2022 YouTube streaming distribution
U R L： https://nobodyknows.tours/en/event2021-03.html
Guest：Yoshida Seiki, Abe Hiroki（Magiswa Kagura）,Sasaki Tamon（Noh）,Hanayagi Genkuro（Nihonbuyo）
MC ： Asano Sho（Tsugaru Shamisen）
Yoshitsune deserved credit for success in the battle against the Taira clan by Minamoto
no Yoritomo, his older brother, after he was under protection of the Oshu-Fujiwara
clan. But he came into conflict with his brother, and he was expelled to Hiraizumi. It issaid that he commited suicide there.
Yoshitsune, with a lot of ups and downs, has not only been performed in "Azumakudari(Descending East of Japan, Hiraizumi from Kyoto)" at the "Spring Fujiwara Festival"*
held every year in Hiraizumi Town during Golden Week (early May), but also in Noh,Kabuki, and Nihonbuyo.
*”Spring Fujiwara Festival” in both 2020 and 2021 was cancelled to prevent the spread of Covid-19

Minamoto no Yoshitsune also is an essential theme in the Southern Kagura around
Hiraizumi. This crosstalk features some experts:•Yoshida Seiki and Abe Hiroki, performers of "Magisawa Kagura", one style of theNambu Kagura.

•Sasaki Tamon, a Kita style Noh performer, who is closely related to ChusonjiTemple.

•Hanayagi Genkuro, a Japanese Classical dancer.

They talk about Yoshitsune while they give demonstrations of their areas.
The discussion is led by Mr. Sho Asano, a Tsugaru shamisen player, who has a strong
interest in local performing arts including folk songs. Through performing arts, thevideo unravels Yoshitsune’s history to Hiraizumi and the richness of expression of him.

Azumakudari、 Nihonbuyo (Nagauta) “Gojobashi”, Noh ”Funabenkei”

Magisawa Kagura
Has been handed down to Mashiba District in Ichinoseki, Iwate Prefecture. Inherits some characteristic
programs from Nambu Kagura, sacred Shinto dance, and is performed at the local events or festivals.
They started teaching Tori-mai, a special dance for prayer, at Mataki Junior High School in 1963, andthen taught at the Children Association of Magisawa District. They also have instructed Takizawa
Elementary School since 2002. Mataki Junior High School was combined into Ichinoseki East JuniorHigh School in 2008, but their instruction still has been continuing. They focus on regular practices
and successor trainings. Overseas performance in Bhutan and the exchange performances are played
actively.
Sasaki TamonBecame a Noh actor of the Kita school from his father’s generations. His father was from Sakura Motobo, Enjoin Temple, where actors performed for the stage of Chusonji Temple. In addition to hisactivity at Kita Noh Theater in Tokyo, Tamon focuses on promotion of Noh in Tohoku area, such asChusonji Takigi Noh, Sendai Aoba Noh, and Hekisuien Noh in Shiraishi City, and performs both inJapan and overseas. He enlightens children in school, has lectures to promote Noh in various places.
He has performed some large-scale pieces such as “Shojoran”, “Dojoji”, and “Okina” at Chusonji
Hakusan Shrine Noh Theater, which has long connections with him.
Hanayagi Genkuro
Born in Nara. Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts in 2003. Is known for his colorful andpowerful performance style which fascinates people, and is active in many public performances basedon traditional dance. Won the Incentive Award of the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Scienceand Technology in 2017. Received the new face award from Association of Dance Critics in 2013. Has
participated in Hieizan Takigi Kabuki, Ninagawa Yukio’s work, and Takarazuka Live as an assistantchoreographer. In “NOBODY KNOWS” he composes and directs the stages using the story of Japan
Heritage Site.

Asano Sho
Born in Miyagi prefecture, 1990. Graduated from Keio University. At the age of 14, he was theyoungest to win the highest rank A level of the All-Japan Tsugaru Shamisen Contest and won for threeconsecutive years up to 2006, recognized in its Hall of Fame. With his astounding performance skills
and natural charm, he conveys the fascination of Shamisen music. He collaborates with “MIKAGE
PROJECT” which composes and arranges folk song and classic music by oral tradition from various
parts of Japan in contemporary style, also with “ART Kabuki-dan,” a band which consists of Japanesetraditional musicians. He opens up the new music scene.

A project to develop a new form of regional tourism in local areas
with “Japan Heritage”【 NOBODY KNOWS 】

NOBODY KNOWS Concept Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StNXlbQcpC4

NOBODY KNOWS is a project to develop a new form of regional tourism in local areas
with “Japan Heritage”, rediscovering culture of each region, such as the unknown
history, lifestyle, craftsmanship and cuisine, from the perspective of traditional
performing arts derived from its expressions and form of prayer. Sponsored by theAgency for Cultural Affairs, Geidankyo has been implemented as a “Japan CulturalExpo” project* since 2019.
In 2020, the spread of COVID-19 cancelled the majority of local festivals and events.
Under the continuing tough situation which didn’t allow people to get together,
NOBODY KNOWS carried out a project to explore a new form of tourism by covering
local performing arts and historical culture in three areas. "Prayer", for the extinction ofplague and a good harvest, has been a part of daily life of Japanese people. It was aroot of many of the folk performance that have been passed down for generations invarious areas of Japan.
* “Japan Cultural Expo” project: Projects, deployed throughout Japan, to promote Japanese culturalarts and spread its diverse and universal appeal in anticipation of fostering momentum for the 2020
Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics and increasing foreign tourists.

【FY2021 New（３areas）】
Disseminate unknown charms of each region through video
Hiraizumi, Iwate Pref.：October 1 (Fri) YouTube streaming distribution
A cross talk “Tracing the life of Minamoto no Yoshitsune with performing arts -Nambu
Kagura, Nohgaku, Nihonbuyo”
Komatsu, Ishikawa Pref. ：November 13 (Sat) 14 (Sun) Screened at the Japan Heritage
Summit／YouTube streaming distribution
Tokushima & Ishii, Tokushima Pref.： YouTube streaming distribution【Continuation（２areas）】
Tours and Events
Satsumasedai, Kagoshima Pref.： November 6 (Sat)
Isehara, Kanagawa Pref.：December 18(Sat) 19(Sun)

Characteristics of the 2021 ”NOBODY KNOWS” project▶︎Experience the scenery, history and culture of the area, the state of the festival,etc. with beautiful images and discover new attractions of the area.
▶︎ Deep comprehension of the story with fun about “Japan Heritage” through folk
performance handed down in each area and traditional performing arts byprofessionals.
▶︎ Guides and performer to give you clear understanding on charms of “JapanHeritage” that might be missed by visiting without them.

NOBODY KNOWS
Organizer: Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, Japan Arts Council, Japan
Council of Performers Rights & Performing Arts Organizations Co-organizer：The local
governments of the Japan Heritage Recognition, etc Support: Ministry of theEnvironment

https://nobodyknows.tours/

Japan Council of Performers Rights & Performing Arts Organizations [GEIDANKYO][Mail] info@nobodyknows.tours