Experience it for yourself.
An undiscovered Japan looks forward to meeting you.

Experiencing someone’s culture enables understanding.
Becoming familiar with the history and interacting with people enables deeper understanding.
There are some things that can only be understood by being there, experiencing the moment.
NOBODY KNOWS is a performing arts project showcasing Japan’s traditional heritage.
The roots of Japan are expressed thorough its culture and art, with each region passing down its
performing art traditions from generation to generation.
Rather than viewing these arts like cut flower arrangements, we invite you to personally experience
their “roots”.
Delight in the discovery of the live entertainment merging professional music and dance with regional
folk performances.
Added to that, you are invited to meet and interact with the locals, enabling you to experience thelifestyle, the history, the culture and the traditional skills.
We are offering the rare opportunity of actually being an active part of the experience.
Come, discover the Japan that still remains a mystery to most of the world.

23rd September (Mon) 2019
Takayama Performance
Kusakabe Folk Museum
Takayama City, Gifu Pref.

Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture. A town surrounded by heavily wooded mountains. Knownfor their deep relationship with nature and the trees surrounding them, the townspeople
have been celebrated for their woodworking skills and their ability to bring out the beautyof the wood since the days of Asuka (538 – 710).
The technique called “Hida Takumi” has been used for 1300 years, and these woodworking
skills are part of the townscape, the hand-crafted works and the exhilarating festival thattakes place yearly.
When visiting Takayama, don’t be content with only walking the streets enjoying the sights
listed in the guidebook or to just be intoxicated by the gorgeous Takayama Festival.
Be sure to meet the people, observe their techniques, and feel their hearts.
Takayama, which is still unknown to many, is there for you to discover.

As you stroll through town, you will become aware of the presence of wood everywhere.

The orderly streets, the serenity, and the authenticity. Ah, the aesthetic sense of Takayama.

The beams of the Kusakabe home are amazing!
Tonight, there is a lecture performance explaining traditional entertainment and techniques.
Takayama “danna” (heads of households) are famous for generously supporting thearchitecture, the wood crafts and festivals here.
Which is why these craftsmanship skills continue to survive.

The Takayama Festival, ranked as one of Japan’s most beautiful festivals, is a UNESCO
Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Leading the festivities is the Shishimai, the lion dance. The crafted head worn by thedancers is indicative of the amazing skills of the Takayama artisans.
When a young drummer beats on his drum, the lion springs to life.

The Takayama Festival has been heavily influenced by the entertainment that the Takayama“danna” brought back after working in Kyoto and Edo during the Edo period.
In the live performance piece, Kabuki dances and Edo period music are also performed.
The authentic and exciting performances by the young professionals are magnificent.

These children practice with the professional and are inspired by the technique.
It is a special time that bonds the feelings of all for the festival music.

After the performance, both guests and the locals
gather to chat while enjoying a local sake.
Takayama cuisine is served on a lacquer tray. The
lacquering technique known as “Hida Shunkei” isone of the area’s celebrated traditional crafts.
Part of the fun of traveling is meeting people.
And as the festival music echoes through the air,and unforgettable evening draws to a close.

Takayama is also famous for its incredible
and awe-inspiring nature.
Chubu Mountain National Park is only a
45-minute bus ride away.
And to take you on a very unique trek area mountain guide and a local forester.
The source of “Hida Takumi” can be
discovered while experiencing thismagnificent nature.

A trip to experience the art and culture
that’s rooted in the land.
Live tourism enhances the pleasure of the sightseeing experience. The NOBODY KNOWS project
proposes “traditional live tourism” as a new approach for the tourist. We promote enjoying the
traditional performing arts while experiencing them in their local habitat surrounded by the traditional
Japanese heritage structures, historic sites and the majestic nature that are celebrated in various regionsof Japan. The program also arranges meetings with locals who can explain the traditions, in order toenable the tourist to learn and experience the history, culture and heart of the area. This journey enables
encountering as well as experiencing "living traditions".

An “intangible culture” that has been treasured for generations.

This project wants to convey history, skills, lifestyle, festivals, prayers, food, entertainment, and theother "intangibles". The Japanese heritage story has no tangible shape. It is a new form of travel centeredon an "intangible culture" that will be lost if it is not communicated, person to person.

“Live” person to person communication.

Intangible culture fascinates because it’s passed on from person to person. It’s important not only to
exhibit, make commentary and VR, but also to enable an atmosphere of live communication that takes
place, face to face. In this way, the dynamic expressions of tradition and culture can be experienced
through all five senses. Due to performances, tours, workshops, and social gatherings, it will be an
encounter where you can meet, learn and enjoy professional performers and local entertainers, guides,
craftsmen, priests, local people and children.

This “travel encounter” leads to the "support" of traditional culture

Intangible culture can be said to be the "root" of a locality and is part of being Japanese. And that is why
we go back to the source. It will most certainly be lost if there is no one to inherit it and develop it.
How empowered will the inheritor of culture feel by communicating with people from this “person toperson live” as they experience the honest excitement and joy of the visitors? The pleasure the travelers
derive from the live performances will contribute to cultivate the motivation and pride of the next
generation. It will lead to the creation of soil that is richly abundant in culture.
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Takayama City, Gifu Pref.

Nanto City, Toyama Pref.

Kusakabe Folk Museum
23rd September (Mon) 2019 - NOBODY KNOWS Performance
24th September (Tue) 2019 - Chubusangaku National Park Tour

Zuisenji Temple
6th October (Sun) 2019 - NOBODY KNOWS Performance / Inami Akari Art

Majestic nature and the skillful techniques of“Hida Takumi”.
The soft festival music echoes throughout
the mountain town.

Immerse yourself in an overwhelming presence.
An area known for wood carving,
construction and dance.

Achievements

Joint project: to develop sightseeing contents and to train the young
generation for Takayama Festival.
The first combined tour of Japan heritage and a national park.
Voice• This program showed me our local culture and I was moved so much. (visitor)• The performance of bamboo flute was fantastic! I felt a similar impact when I heard
Mr. Children (Japanese famous pop musician) for the first time! (festival music performer)• The performance by professional musicians at the rehearsal was splendid, and the children
were inspired by practicing together. (city officer)• Takayama has wonderful natural landscapes. I really enjoyed the Japanese traditional
performances and local cuisine. I also had a chance to trek in the wonderful naturallandscapes. This is a nice program to show tourists that Japan is not only about big cities.
(foreign tour participant)Achievements

Collaboration with existing local events and create valuable opportunities
to gather all regional folk performances from the view point of Japan
heritage.
Voice• It was nice to see different kinds of folk performances being performed together at
Zuisenji Temple. This was the first time for me though I’m living nearby. (visitor)• Please pass this on to younger generation and continue to do your best. (visitor)• I was able to find new possibilities for Zuisenji Temple, which many people have inherited,
and many folk performances that have been passed down in Nanto. (person in charge of
tourism association)• It is rare for the three major Toyama folk songs to perform together. We look forward to
future developments. (tourist business)

Purpose• Enhance the value of regional folk performance arts of Takayama Festival and train theyoung generation• Give impact to bring out the attraction of cultural properties• Promote the understanding of local cultural background and create its identity• Trial implementation of a sightseeing tour in the night• Provide the opportunities of guiding on the theme of Japan heritage (Japanese/English)• Make opportunities to appreciate high quality traditional performing arts

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Purpose• Combined effects by cooperation with existing local events• Rediscover the value of regional folk performance• Train the young generation of regional folk performance• Direction to bring out the attraction of cultural properties• New cooperation with various organizations• Make opportunities to appreciate high quality traditional performing arts

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Kurashiki City, Okayama Pref.

Isehara City, Kanagawa Pref.

Yata Otsuka Burial Mound
13rd October (Sun) 2019 - NOBODY KNOWS Perfromance /Bamboo Woods Music Festival in Mabi

Oyama-Afuri Shrine and Tougakubou
26th October (Sat) 2019 - NOBODY KNOWS Performance

Merged with nature, music and history.
Bamboo forests envelopedby light and burial mounds.

Pray powerfully and play lightly.
The travel culture practiced by the citizens of Edo.

Achievements
Achievements

Support for disaster recovery, planned by young people in the community.
Cooperation with existing local events and suggest a direction for a newspace design of cultural properties.

New cooperation between shrines, companies, and art organizations.
Trial implementation of a pilgrimage tour including visiting the shrine andthe live performance of Shojin-otosi, a ceremony which embodies Japan
heritage.
Voice

Voice

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• Collaboration of Gagaku and Jazz piano were perfect for this occasion. (visitor)• The event was very good. I was impressed so much! I want to come again next year.
(visitor)• It was very beneficial for Mabi-cho, which was struck by torrential rain, as many visitorsfrom other areas could see that Mabi-cho is recovering. (local youth chamber)• The illumination was so fantastic and wonderful that I wanted to use this technique forother occasions. (city officer)• The professional guide through earphones provided good explanation during the walk to
Mt.Oyama. Though I've been here several times, I could see Oyama in a new perspective.
(visitor)• The atmosphere and the performance, especially the experience of the formal worship at
Oyama-Afuri shrine was very good. (foreign visitors)• At first, the children preforming the Yamato -mai were a bit timid because the stage isdifferent from what they are used to, so they practiced a lot. It was a good opportunity forthe future generations of the region to gain confidence. (shrine priest)

Purpose

Purpose• Disaster recovery support• Regional activity cooperated with local young human resources• Direction to bring out the attraction of cultural properties• New cooperation with various organizations• Make opportunities to appreciate high quality traditional performing arts

• Cooperation between shrines, companies, and art organizations• Develop tours for foreigners on the theme of Japan heritage• Train the young generation of regional folk performances• Direction to bring out the attraction of cultural properties• Provide the opportunities of guiding on the theme of Japan heritage (Japanese / English)

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Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Pref.

Bungotakada City, Oita Pref.

Sanjin Gosaiden in Dewa Sanzan Shrine
2nd November (Sat) 2019 - NOBODY KNOWS Performance + Bus tour

Tennenji Temple
30th November (Sat) 2019 - NOBODY KNOWS Performance + Bus tour

Surrounded by nature, spiritualism and art
A new life experience that expands your sensitivity.

Bathe in the sparks of happiness.
A miracle peninsula where the demons live,“Kunisaki”

Achievements
Achievements

Develop a program to experience the essence of Japanese culture froma new viewpoint of Noh and Shugendo, Japanese mountain asceticism
incorporating Shinto and Buddhist concept in Dewa Sanzan

Special reproduction of an annual event “Fire Festival”
Created the good use of local resource and the opportunities to celebrate
the festival by cooperating with a preservation society, which is facing ahortage of successors
Voice

Voice

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• I was deeply moved by the performance of Noh. Through this event, I could experience
the essence of Japan so much that brought me to tears. (visitor)• It was a creative tour plan of cultural events at a historical place. (foreign visitors)• I was surprised to see that the worship hall was turned in to an atmosphere of fantasy.
I found many good ideas from the way the local religious culture of Dewa was newly
introduced. (shrine priest)• The main hall of Dewa Sanzan Shrine was filled with solemn atmosphere. It was a valuable
event which gave us the awareness beyond the mere appreciation of art, such as thegratitude for nature's grace and the importance of living in good physical and mental
conditions, which we tend to forget while living in the city. (performer)• It was wonderful to see the professional performance matched with the historical site!
(visitor)• The warm hospitality of the local people was great. (visitor)• I reaffirmed the culture which Japanese should cherish and I could take pride in thisculture. (visitor)• It was an amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience which I will never forget. (foreign visitors)• I never thought of decorating Oo-taimatsu (big torches) like this. That was cool! (traditional
event preservation society)• Seeing the performance, I was deeply moved. How wonderful the culture of Rokugo
Manzan, and the activities and the connection of the people who live there are.
(city officer)

Purpose

Purpose• Realize the value of local culture by a new approach• Direction to bring out the attraction of cultural property• New cooperation with various organizations• Trial implementation of a sightseeing tour in the night time
• Create new sightseeing contents and tours• Provide the opportunities of guiding on the theme of Japan heritage (Japanese / English)• Make opportunities to appreciate high quality traditional performing arts

• Promote the understanding of the local culture background and create its identity• Train the young generation of traditional events• Direction to bring out the attraction of cultural properties• New cooperation with various organizations• Create new sightseeing contents and tours• Provide opportunities of guiding on the theme of Japan heritage (Japanese / English)• Make opportunities to appreciate high quality traditional performing arts

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Project Structure2019 Performance Overview

The cooperation with many people in various parts of the country was realized through holding NOBODY KNOWS project.
It was a good opportunity to celebrate the traditional culture together and to share new attempts or know-how as well.

Organizer: Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan,

TAKAYAMAISEHARAJapan Arts Council,

Co-organizer: Takayama City, Kusakabe Folk Museum

Co-organizer: Oyama-Afuri Shrine

Japan Council of Performers Rights & Performing Arts Organizations

Cooperation: Hida-Takayama Tourism & Convention Bureau,

Cooperation: Isehara Tourist Association

Cooperation: Nagauta Association, Japanese Classical Dance Association,

Hida Takayama Ryokan Hotel Cooperative

Support: Isehara City

The Nohgaku Performers‘ Association, Rakugo Geijutsu Kyokai

Production Cooperation: Hida Takayama Jazz Festival Executive Committee

Tour organizer: Odakyu Electric Railway Co., Ltd., Odakyu Travel Co., Ltd.

Support: Ministry of the Environment,

Talk: Kusakabe Masaru, Ushimaru Takehiko, Genda Bokuzan

Talk: Meguro Kunihiko

Regional Revitalization and Inbound Tourism Council

Performers: Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine Shishi-renju, Hachiman

Performers: Yamato-mai Dance of Oyama Afuri Shrine

Hououtai-gumi, Hisada Kazusa (Guitar), Mori Makoto (Djembe)(Students of Oyama Elementary School)

Planning / Production: Japan Council of Performers Rights & Performing

Tour Guide: Goshikigahara-no-mori Information Center, Nakahata Taigo

Stage Direction: Nakamura Makoto (PARE TOTAL SOUND CREATOR)

Arts Organizations［Geidankyo］(maruhiromokuzai Limited Partnership)

Lighting: Take Hiroaki (Office BASE Co., Ltd.)

Production Cooperation: Okumura Yuko (koen kikaku)

Interpreter: Ishihara Hisa

Tour Guide: Shimura Isao (Isehara Tourist Association)

Sato Shinya (Analog Switch)

NANTO / Inami Akari Art

Stage Direction: Yamazoe Toshito (KANSAI BURAI Co.Ltd.),

Organizer: Akari Art Executive Committee,

TSURUOKA

Okada Naoya (Okadabutai Co.Ltd.)

Sanrokuhachi-dori promotion association

Co-organizer:

Lighting: Matsumoto Ei (eimatsumoto Co.Ltd.)

Co-organizer: Club Tourism International Inc.

Association for Promotion of “A Journey to Rebirth” of Dewa Sanzan,

Sound: Hashimoto Kiyoshi, Saito Akihi (S.C. ALLIANCE Inc.)

Cooperation: Inami Japan Heritage Promotion Committee, Nanto City

Tsuruoka City, Tsuruoka City Board of Education

Sound Advisor: Matsuki Tetsuyuki

Tourism Association

Talk / Workshop: Yoshizumi Toshiki, Nakano Yuichiro, Hasegawa ChikoSound Equipment Provision: ARTWIZ Inc.

Talk: Fujii Keiichi, Tsunemoto Tetsuo, Mitani Naoki, Maekawa Daichi

MC: Yamazaki Noriko

Photos / Movies: Project Company Inc & augment5 Inc

Performers: Inami Kiyari Group,Stage Direction: Ueno Masato (Stage Ensemble Tohoku Co., Ltd.)

Photographer:

Etchu Gokayama Kokiriko Preservation Society, Etchu Gokayama

Lighting: Kaiya Yoshinobu (Stage Ensemble Tohoku Co., Ltd.)P2~P15, P18 Minamoto Tadayuki (TADAYUKI MINAMOTO PHOTO OFFICE),

Mugiyabushi Preservation Society, Johana Ioriuta Preservation Society,Sound: Nagase Hirokazu (SOUND PLUS)

P16, P17, P20~P23, P25 Kudoh Hiroyuki (PHOTO MIO JAPAN),

Etchu Yatsuo Owara Preservation Society Fukujima BranchTour Guide: Haguro Tourist Association

P24 Hiroshi Sakai (Hirosui Photo Studio)

MC: Takagi Nana

Interpreter: Suzuki Takashi

Art Direction: Kosuke Niwano (Shinmura Design Office)Lighting: Matsuda Minoru (Matsuda Denki Co., Ltd.)

Copywriter: Nito Yasuhisa (Que Inc.)

Sound: Tsujimura Naozumi (MIX BOX Co., Ltd.)26

BUNGOTAKADA
Co-organizer: Bungotakada City

Web: augment5 Inc., Theo Inc.
KURASHIKI / Bamboo Woods Music Festival in Mabi

Cooperation: Nagaiwaya Shujo Onie Preservation Society

PERFORMERS (Professional)

Organizer: Bamboo Woods Music Festival Executive Committee

Talk: Danjo Tatsuo

Gagaku: Nakamura Kanako, Nakamura Hanako, Nakamura Hitomi

Co-organizer: Kurashiki City,

Performers: Nagaiwaya Shujo Onie Preservation Society

Guitar: Jozuka Yohei

Kurashiki City Japan Heritage Promotion Consortium

MC: Saito Mie

Shamisen: Kineya Katsujiro, Kineya Gosakichio, Kineya Hirotarou,

Cooperation: Mihara Teppei Lab. (Faculty of Design,Stage Direction: Yokoyama Kazumi (Fukuoka Shiminhall Service)

Kineya Rokushiro, Touon Minamidani Mai

Okayama Prefectural University)

Lighting: Awato Tomoki (garage one Co.,Ltd.)

Daikagura (traditional juggling): Kagami Michiyo, Maruichi Kosuke / Kotoki

Sponsor: 50 companies in Okayama PrefectureSound: Shioya Minoru (Staff Co.,Ltd.)

Tsugaru Shamisen: Yoshida Kenichi (Yoshida Brothers)

Talk: Fujiwara Noriyoshi

Tour Guide: Goto Hiroyuki

Japanese classical dance: Hanayagi Genkuro

Performers: Kibino Makibi Taiko, Kurashiki Tenryo DaikoInterpreter: Sato Tomoko

Nohgaku: Inoue Yoshiaki, Ubaura Risa, Okamoto Haruna,

MC: Hatanaka Yosuke

Sugiyama Toshihiro, Tsukuda Yoshikatsu, Nomura Manroku, Fujita Asataro,

Stage Direction: Nakata Hideaki (Stage Okayama Co.Ltd.)

Masaki Tetsuji, Murase Kei, Yamai Tsunao, Yamanaka Kazuma, Yoshizumi Ko

Lighting: Asahara Yuki (Stage Okayama Co.Ltd.)

Piano: Kihara Kentaro

Sound: Ieno Yuko (PROSOUND, inc.)

Classical percussions: Katada Shinjuro, Sumikawa Takeshi, Sumida Fukujuro,

Illumination: Takahashi Kyota (Artist)

Mochizuki Harumi, Mochizuki Hideyuki

Takayama City, Gifu Pref.

Nanto City, Toyama Pref.

Kurashiki City, Okayama Pref.

Isehara City, Kanagawa Pref.

Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Pref.

Bungotakada City, Oita Pref.

Story of Japan
Heritage

Hida Takayama’s Wood Artisans
1300 Year-Old Lineage of Skill
and Spirit

Inami Woodcarving Museum
Born from the Chisels of Master
Carpenters

Okayama, the Birthplace of the
Legend of Momotaro Ancient
Kibi Heritage Conveying Tales ofDemon Slaying

Isehara City and the Mt. Oyama
Pilgrimage Destination for
the Faith and Leisure of Edo’s
Commoners

A Journey to Rebirth Amid theSacred Nature of Dewa Sanzan

Kunisaki － Where Oni and
Buddhas Coexist as One

Venue

Kusakabe Folk Museum

Zuisenji Temple

Yata Otsuka Burial Mound

Oyama-Afuri Shrine andTougakubou

Sanjin Gosaiden in Dewa Sanzan
ShrineTennenji Temple

Talk

Master of the Kusakabe Family
Takayama City Officer
CarverInami Japan Heritage
Promotion Committee
Zuisenji Temple Priest
CarverKurashiki City Board of Education

Oyama-Afuri Shrine Priest
Isehara Tourist Association
Edokko Traveler(Actor)

Dewa Sanzan Shrine Priest
Yamabushi
Noh performer

Beppu University Professor

Folk Performance

Matsuri-Bayashi
Shishimai

Inami Kiyari Odori, Kokiriko,
Mugiyabushi, Johana Ioriuta,
Etchu Owara

Wadaiko

Yamato-mai Dance-

Shujo Onie

Professional
Performance

Japanese Classical Dance with
Nagauta Shamisen Music

Japanese Classical Dance with
Nagauta Shamisen Music

Gagaku + Jazz Piano
Tsugaru Shamisen

Daikagura (traditional juggling)
Japanese classical dance with
Shamisen

Bamboo Flute + GuitarNohTraditional Japanese Music(Bamboo Flute, Percussions,
Shamisen)
KyogenDate

23rd September (Mon) 201918:30-19:45

6th October (Sun) 2019① 17:00-18:30② 19:00-20:30

13rd October (Sun) 201917:00-19:10

26th October (Sat) 2019
① 8:45-14:50② 11:15-17:35

2nd November (Sat) 201916:30-18:30

30th November (Sat) 201917:30-19:45

Number of Audience(Capacity)

Approx. 120 (100)① Approx. 260 (200)② Approx. 240 (200)

Approx. 400 (400)① 17 (40)② 27 (40)

Approx. 70 (60)

Approx. 140 (100)Number of People
Involved

Approx. 100

Approx. 110

Approx. 120

Approx. 35

Approx. 55

Approx. 75

Related Events andTours• Ohayashi Workshop for children(8/21)• After Party (9/23)• Chubusangaku National Park
Tour (9/24)• Inami Akari Art• Tour organized by Club Tourism• Trial Package Tour,Shogawa
Pleasure Boat and Making Sake
Cup.

• Bamboo Woods Music Festival
in Mabi• Tour organized by Kurashiki
Convention & Visitors Bureau• Trial Tour in cooperation with
Odakyu Electric Railway Co.,
Ltd. and Odakyu Travel Co., Ltd.

• Trial Tour• Trial Tour• Outdoor Lounge

Utilization of Local
Resources

Crafts / Nature / Food /Folk Performance /Traditional Architecture /Festival

Crafts / Nature /Folk performance /Traditional Architecture /Festival

Nature / Food /Religious Festival /Folk Performance /Traditional Architecture

Nature / Food /Religious Festival /Traditional Architecture

Nature / Food /Religious Festival /Traditional ArchitectureInterpreter: Kanagawa SGG Club

Script & Direction: Murano Reiko (NICK-PRODUCE),

Fukuhara Hyakutaka, Fujita Kazuya, Mochizuki Satasuke, Mochizuki Daiki,

Location

https://nobodyknows.tours《 Disaster recovery support》

Historic Site / Nature / Food /Folk Performance /Contemporary Art

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