Iihenji is a theater company established by Waseda University alumni in 2017. Writer/director Nakajima Shiori is known for dialogue-driven dramas that carefully explore the everyday lives of people struggling to survey in modern society.
Yoshimura, the protagonist of Not Friends, lives a lonely life as her excessive concern for others’ feelings has rendered her unable to develop personal relationships, as if a thin curtain were drawn between her and others. She is sensitive, easily hurt, and socially awkward, longing to make friends but not knowing how to close the gap. Her one motivation is her devotion to an unsuccessful street singer-songwriter, whose performances she unfailingly attends. One day, she meets a woman named Makabe who is also a fan of the singer’s unpretentious style. Yoshimura and the friendly Makabe start hanging out together on their days off. However, the cheerful-seeming Makabe has a nervous disorder.
Is friendship a relationship that can only be built through verbal communication? How can one break free from the self-imposed shell of not wanting to hurt oneself or others? The singer’s music envelops the women as if celebrating their continued relationship despite their differences.

2024
Hokutopia

Presented by The Japan Foundation (JF) (https://www.jpf.go.jp/e/)
In cooperation with EPAD (https://epad.jp)

＜Performance Credits＞
Performed by NAKAJIMA Shiori（iihenji）,TANAKA Emi, Teppeimigikiki（Paman）
Written and Directed by NAKAJIMA Shiori（iihenji）
Associate Director: SAKAMOTO Saki
Understudy and Stage Assistant: NITTA Shuko
Stage Manager and Stage Photo: TSUKIDATE Shigeru（Tsuyutomakura baigaisugoroku）
Video Documentation and Editing: KITABAYASHI Yuki
Scenic Design by YUKI Mao（Amai Yoyo）
Lighting Design by NAKAMURA Masashi
Sound Design by OSAKI Issei
Music by NOGI Aoi
Costume Design by KAWAGUCHI KO
Promotional Art by TAKAHASHI Tomoya
Crew=MIYANO Kazane（Karugamo Danchi）
Production Coordinator: TANAKA Haruka, Ishimoto Shuichi

＜Subtitling Credits＞
Multilingual subtitling: Supported by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan

Chinese Translation (Simplified): LIN Shu
Chinese Translation (Traditional): nonunique solutions
English Translation: Gary Perlman
Korean Translation: Hong i LEE

＜Promotional Text＞
TAKASHIMA Megumi

＜Company Website＞
https://iihenji.com/