Japanese Traditional Performing Arts: Discovering with New Eyes

In its long history, Japan has created a rich variety of performing arts. Many continue to be performed today and the heirs to these traditions must constantly hone their aesthetic sense and the traditional techniques of their art forms. These traditional performing arts are not a dead part of the past; they work to clearly and vividly convey their message to move people of the present and constantly search for what in their art form will appeal today. Each part of this series will concentrate on a particular part of each genre to explore its unique world view and history and by examining notable contemporary performers, look at how the art form and the techniques for the use of the voice and body shape these living human beings and the art that they perform. It will then show how this is meaningful not only for Japan today, but for world culture.

Presented by: The Japan Foundation (JF) (https://www.jpf.go.jp/e/)

＜Program Credits＞
Performers: KATAYAMA Kurouemon, NOMURA Mansai, TAKEMOTO Oritayu VI, TSURUSAWA Seisuke, KIRITAKE Kanjuro III, NAKAMURA Shido II, SISYU
Production Assistance: Sankeien Garden, Kyoto Kanze Noh Theater, Kodaiji Temple, Mansaku-no-Kai Kyogen Company, Kita Noh Theatre, Japan Arts Council National Bunraku Theatre, BUNRAKU KYOKAI, The Bunraku-za Company, SHOCHIKU Co., Ltd.
Additional Materials: National Diet Library Japan, Kyoto National Museum, The Art Institute of Chicago, NTT-SHOCHIKU PARTNERS, SHOCHIKU Co., Ltd., DWANGO Co., Ltd.
Supervision: Akira Mark OSHIMA
Video Image Production: NHK ENTERPRISES, INC.
Video Image Producer: KISHIBE Kaori
Video Image Director: YOKOTA Hiroshi
Video Music: ANAZAWA Hironori

＜Subtitling Credits＞
English Translation: Akira Mark OSHIMA
Chinese Translation (Simplified): Hanqing ZUO
Chinese Translation (Traditional): Yunhsien LIANG
French Translation: Veronique BRINDEAU
Indonesian Translation: Dewi ANGGRAENI
Russian Translation: Tatiana SOKOLOVA DELUSINA
Spanish Translation: Mauricio MARTINEZ (https://www.japonartesescenicas.org)

© The Japan Foundation (JF) All Rights Reserved

End date of distribution: 2/12/2026