Profile of “Chin-don Ya” (“Chin-don performers”)“Chin-don Ya” is a Japan’s unique, original form of advertising and publicity agency. Thisbusiness was born at the end of the Edo era, more than 100 years ago before the modernizationof Japan. Originally, only the voices of performers were used as a method for advertisement.
When requested by a shop owner or a theater to perform, the performers marched from street tostreet, calling out to residents, workers or passersby in the neighborhood using their voice toadvertise. It was the origin of the Chin-don Ya.
Over the years, the performers began to use various music instruments, such as “Chin-don daiko(dram),” and act as a famous play or movie character of the days to raise advertising effects, inother words, to attract more people. They have eventually established their unique,contemporary style. The “Chin-don Ya,” which was born as an ad agency, has turned to theordinary people’s culture and Japan’s unique feature.
After the stormy post-war era, Japan has achieved a dramatic economic growth. With thedevelopment of mass media as well as the expansion of public transportation system, theChin-don Ya as a street business began to decline. Few wanted to take over the business, saying
it was out of date.
However, as the material culture began to reach a point of saturation in the end of 20th century,
the trend to cherish a minimum bond or man-to-man communication has burgeoned. Many havethen shed a new light on the effectiveness of the Chin-don Ya as one of the best communication
methods. Now the Chin-don Ya perform not only in the streets, but also at various festivals orevents.

What is “Chin-don Tsushinsha”?

The “Chin-don Tsushinsya” was established in 1984 with Mr. Kojiro Hayashi as itsleader. The company is Japan’s No. 1 Chin-don Ya group with best skill and experience.
By maximizing its mobility, friendliness and flexibility, the company has provided abreath of fresh air in the industry. The “Chin-don Tsushinsha” has contributed to refine
the ad agency in the streets into a more sophisticated and eccentric performance,expanding the diversity of their work.
The “Chin-don Tsushinsha” has presented their unique performance not only in Japanbut also more than 20 cities around the world as an ad agency, performer and cultureambassador.
■CONTACT
Chin-don Tsushinsha(Tozai-Ya co.ltd)
2-6-21 Uehonmachi-nishi,Chuo-ku,Osaka,Japan 542-0062
TEL: +81-6-6764-1984 FAX: +81-6-6764-5776
E-mail: office@tozaiya.co.jp

[Selected Overseas Performance]
1988. 09. New York, USA for the opening of Yaohan Waterside Plaza
1990. 10. New York and New Jersey
for the 30th anniversary of Tokyo-New York Sister City
Relationship1992. 12. Beijing, China
for the opening of Yaohan Beijin Branch
1993. 05. Rome, Naples, etc., Italy
for the shooting of NHK-BS special program“Street Performers in Italy”
1993. 09. London, U.K.
for the opening of Yaohan London Branch
1994. 05. Paris, etc., France
for Japanese festival “En-Nichi”
1998. 09. Singapore
for “Hello Fair” at Palco, Singapore
1999. 09. San Diego, USA andfor Chin-don Tsushinsha US & Mexico Tour
Tijiana, Mexico
2000. 08. Nei Mongol, China
for “Japan Industrial Exhibit”
2001. 03. Arlington, etc., New Zealandfor “Asia Traditional Arts Festival”
2002. 08. Chongju, South Korea
for “Chongju Sori Festival”
2004. 05 New Orleans,USAfor “Japan Festival”
2006. 07. Saipan,USAfor “Independence Day Festival”
2008. 05. Paris, France
for “World Children's day Festival”
2010. 06. Beijing, China
for “the opening of Aeonshop Beijing”
2010. 09 Wellington, New Zealandfor “Japan Festival”
2016. 03 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
for “MATTA Fair 2016“2018. 02 Taiwan, Chinese Republic
for “Japan Festival at Hanshinarena”
2018. 06 Chicago,USA
for“the 30th anniversary of Chicago&Osaka Sister Cities”