Main Festival
The grounds of Bishamonten Zenkokuji Temple will be the center of Kagurazaka, storytelling performances going back to the Edo period; at the same time, you can enjoy all kinds of events, live music performances, traditional parlor games with geisha ladies in “Kenban”, a stamp-collection taking you on a sentimental journey back in time, and classical performing arts in Akagi Shrine’s Kagura performance hall. In essence, the “Kagurazaka Street Stage O-edo Tour 2015” will again transform the whole neighborhood to a stage and visitors can experience how in Kagurazaka tradition meets modern age and how the people are one with their land.
Kagurazaka Rakuza Story telling performance
In the old days, people would get much of their education from lectures within the grounds of temples and shrines. Building on this tradition, this year there will be in the Bishamonten Zenkokuji Temple a stage where young storytellers will recount stories about Kagurazaka’s history. The stories will be either accompanied by a biwa lute or told in the joruri ballad style (Gidayu-bushi, Shinnai-bushi) and they will all paint a vivid-color image of the vibrant life of Kagurazaka through the ages.
When
November 15 (Sun), 2015, 11:00-12:40/13:00-14:40/15:30-16:30
Where
Special stage in the precincts of Bishamonten Zenkokuji Temple
Admission
Free, reservation not required
Performer and program
Storyteller (Sanryoku Kanda, Kirari Kanda),Satsuma biwa lute (Biwa Duo), Gidayu-bushi (Takemoto Kyounosuke × Tsuruzawa Kazu),Shinnai-bushi (Tsuruga Isekichi × Tsuruga Iseyuki)
Performing Arts Tour and Street Live Performances in Kagurazaka
Three places are set up on the streets in Kagurazaka where you can enjoy a variety of traditional performing arts while strolling in the district. Performances by a fusion unit of tradition and modern, a performer recreating the spirit of Edo, and others will entertain every visitor, regardless of age or gender.
When
November 15 (Sun), 2015, 12:30-16:30
Where
3 places: in front of Shimakin, Yamashita Shikki Shop, and Park Luxe Kagurazakamae
Admission
Free, reservation not required
Performer and program
Maruichi Senoh Troupe (Edo-Daikagura music), McQueen-Tokita Miyama & Yoshimine YujiroKoto & Bass, Seshami Street Boys (Tsugaru shamisen performance), Onsen Tamago (Japanese flute, Shakuhachi Japanese flute & Shamisen), Oyama Yutaka × Otawa Masaki(Tsugaru shamisen & Japanese drum), Gagaku Zanmai Nakamura’s Family (Japanese Ancient Music), Shen kyomei × Tashima Michiwo × Kuriyama Toyoji(Shakuhachi Japanese flute, Guitar & Percussion), Kamijo Mitsuru (The Edo Marionette Group (Puppet play)), Kiba Daisuke × Yoshiba Miho (Kokyu & Koto Japanese harp), Biwa Duo（Goto Yukihiro × Mizushima Yuiko）
Shinnai Nagashi Performance on the Streets in Kagurazaka
Performers of Shinnai Nagashi, usually consisting of two shamisen players perform while walking on the streets and alleys in Kagurazaka. They perform and go around alleys, unique to Kagurazaka.
Date
November 15 (Sun), 2015, 11:30-12:40/13:30-14:40
Place
On the streets in Kagurazaka
Performer
Troupe of Wakasanojo Tsuruga, a Living National Treasure living in Kagurazaka
Johana Folk Performance Ioriuta Music on the Streets in Kagurazaka
In Johana of Toyama’s Nanto City (Toyama prefecture), a traditional festival (designated as Important Intangible Cultural Property) called “Hikiyama Matsuri” is being held for 300 years. In the floats featured in this festival are groups playing flutes and shamisen; their music called “iori-uta” comes from the Edo period and is specific to the Johana area.
When
November 15 (Sun), 2015, 13:00-14:00/14:30-15:30
Where
On the streets in Kagurazaka
Performer
Troupe of Johana Ioriuta Music Houtetsu Kai
Experiencing Ozashiki Asobi (Traditional Japanese Parlor Games)
Ozashiki-asobi is the name of the traditional parlor games with geisha ladies in Japan. This entertainment offers a good opportunity for foreign visitors to enjoy and experience Japanese traditional performing arts in a casual manner. The Kenban (the administration office and training place for geisha) is the gateway to karyukai and usually closed to the public, except for this special occasion.
When
November 15 (Sun), 2015, two performances at 13:00-14:00 and 14:30-15:30 *The same program for both performances
Where
Kenban (the administration office and training place for geisha)
Admission
2,500 yen -Reservation necessary
(Up to 40 persons per performance for two performances = 80 persons in total)
-Brochures in English and consecutive interpretation are available on the day.
-For tickets, contact “Confetti.”
http://confetti-web.com/
Tel.0120-240-540 *Tall-free number
*Operators are available 10:00-18:00 on weekdays (Japanese Only) Tickets sold out
Performer
Geisha in Kagurazaka
Evening Live Music Performance at Akagi Shrine Kagura Hall
In the performance hall of the Akagi Shrine, a spot that has become synonymous with Kagurazaka’s refined charm, there will be a musical performance of a genre tinted by elements of classic Japanese music (gagaku, nagauta etc.). For the finale, the performers who have appeared in other events of the “Kagurazaka Street Stage O-edo Tour 2015” will join the musicians on stage and all together—artists, staff and audience—will bring the two-day festival to a close.
When
November 15 (Sun), 2015, 15:50 – around 17:30
Where
Kagura Hall in Akagi Shrine
Admission
Free, reservation not required
Performer
Yoshimura Isojiro (Nagauta music), Gagaku Zanmai Nakamura’s Family (Japanese ancient music),Kiba Daisuke (Kokyu), Yoshiba Miho (Koto Japanese harp), Maruichi Senoh Troupe
Kagurazaka Stamp Rally “Time Warp”
You can enjoy and learn about Kagurazaka while touring seven points in the district. You will encounter old day daidogei street performers around the points. If you are in a photo with them, you will experience being back on a traditional scene. Also, historical guides are available at seven or eight particular places in the course. They will help fulfill your various interests. If you collect enough stamps, you will get original goods of this event at the exchange place.
When
November 15 (Sun), 2015, 11:00-16:30
Where
Throughout Kagurazaka, 7 stamp spots
Admission
Free, reservation not required
Performer and program
Japan’s Street Performers, Street Performance Association (Picture Telling Jigoku-Gokuraku , Nankin tamasudare, Waiwai Tennoh and others)
