Category: Theater

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  • Nov.20

    The Art of ‘Rakugo’, Sit-Down Comedy by Pen

    Nov.20

    Inherited from tales by Buddhist preachers and now secularised, this solo performance involves a storyteller making the audience laugh. Rakugo, which literally translates as ‘art of fallen words’, is making a comeback on Japanese stages. Dating back to the 17th century and originating from Buddhist tradition, rakugo experienced its heyday in the Meiji era (1868-1912) and particularly…

    June.20

    ‘The Spirit of Noh 能’ – Oldest surviving form of theater in the world

    June.20

    A beautifully produced introduction to the mystery behind the world’s oldest theater form still practiced today. (Under 9 minutes)

    July.10

    The bawdy world of kabuki theatre by Apollo Magazine

    July.10

    From the February 2022 issue of Apollo. Preview and subscribe here. About 400 years ago, the first sparks of a new art-form could have been seen just five minutes’ walk from where I now sit writing in Kyoto. The date was almost certainly 1603, though it is not clearly recorded. It was probably a blazing…

    June.17

    The Art of ‘Rakugo’, Sit-Down Comedy by Pen

    June.17

    Rakugo, which literally translates as ‘art of fallen words’, is making a comeback on Japanese stages. Dating back to the 17th century and originating from Buddhist tradition, rakugo experienced its heyday in the Meiji era (1868-1912) and particularly following the Second World War, when it adopted its current form. This also marked the period when it left…

    May.10

    Tap Dancing Kabuki by Dianne Vapnek

    May.10

    “Have you seen the video of the tap dancing kabuki actor?” asked my American friend living in Japan. For real??, I asked.  “I’ll send you a link.” “Tap dancing kabuki actor” felt like an oxymoron for my mental inventory of a tap dancer.  Think:  The Nicolas Brothers, Gene Kelly, Sammy Davis Jr., Bill “Bojangles” Robinson,…

    Sept.19
    Sept.11

    Kabuki actor plays a drunk imitating a man who is imitating a woman inspired by 1930’s African American tap dancers

    Sept.11

    3 minute video The late kabuki actor, NAKAMURA Kanzaburo V, performs a comedy medly of dance styles inspired by a number of famous kabuki performers of the 20th century.  Biography  Nakamura died at the young age of 57, in 2012. The 3 minute video focuses on a legendary 1930’s tap dance-inspired performance.  If you have…

    Aug.15

    “If I Were a Rich Man” from Fiddler on the Roof, Japanese version

    Aug.15

    Historically, the most popular musical in Japan  


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