Modern theater is also popular in Japan. Tokyo's theaters present many plays from the West including works by Shakespeare, Chekhov, Ibsen, Williams, and other famous foreign playwrights. Philharmonic orchestras perform a wide variety of music throughout Japan. Japan's film industry has a distinguished history. The first big stars of Japanese films were solitary, sword-fighting heroes.
Japan also has a thriving folk tradition.
Fold songs, instrumental music, and dance are all popular today. Seiji Ozawa, the world-famous Japanese conductor, here conducts the Saito Memorial Orchestra. Sadao Watanabe, the most popular saxophone player in Japan, solos at the Yokosuka Jazz Dreams '93 festival Kabuki has lots of action, and the costumes and sets are very elaborate. Fine Arts Woodblock printing is one of many styles of Japanese painting. Ukiyoe , a well-known wood block printing style, developed in the 17th century.