Outline
In Preparation
The traditional performing arts festival “Kagurazaka Street Stage, Oedo Tour 2024” will be held on May 18 (Sat) and 19 (Sun) 2024 organised by Arts Council Tokyo (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture), and NPO Ikimachi Club, using the entire town of Kagurazaka as a stage.
Kagurazaka still retains the atmosphere of Edo, with Geisha district and stone-paved alleys. On The other hand, Kagurazaka is also known as “Petit Paris” for its Parisian atmosphere, and is known as an area where Japanese traditions and international tastes are blended with their harmony. With the cooperation of the local community of Kagurazaka, this year’s event marks the 12th count successfully, the festival has been held to rediscover and further enhance the attractions of traditional Japanese performing arts and culture.
The “Kagurazaka Street Stage, Oedo Tour 2024” invites you to enjoy a variety of traditional performing arts in Kagurazaka’s characteristic spots, such as cobblestone alleys, streets, temple and shrine grounds, and a Noh theater. Visitors can enjoy shamisen, “Sou / Koto” 13 string Japanese harp, and “Shakuhachi” bamboo flute performances, Noh and “Nihonbuyo” Traditional Japanese dance, and variety of storytelling such as “Koudan”, “Rokyoku”, and “Rakugo”. Programs unique to Kagurazaka, such as “Shinnai Nagashi” (walking parade in an alleyway while playing the shamisen) and Ozashiki Asobi Experience (geisha entertainment)”, are also popular. The leading artists will take a variety of approaches to invite you into the world of traditional performing arts, including collaborations between traditional Japanese instruments and instruments of other genres, as well as between traditional instruments and contemporary dance. All ages of visitors are welcomed to these events and the programs such as a stamp rally to visit historical and cultural spots in the town and programs for children.
Robert Campbell, who has a deep knowledge of traditional Japanese culture, has been appointed as the ambassador. In the program “Traditional Performing Arts Past and Present” which will be held at the Yarai Noh Theater, he will give a talk that delves deeply into the questions and attractions of the traditional performing arts.
The “Kagurazaka Street Stage, Oedo Tour 2024” will offer new discoveries and excitements for those who are seeing traditional performing arts for the first time and for those who have visited before. We hope that you will enjoy this project, which will promote the traditional performing arts and the charms of Kagurazaka.
| Date & Time | Saturday, May 18th , starting at 13:00 / Sunday, May19th, starting at 12:00 * Rain or shine event / cancellation in stormy weather |
| Venue | Kagurazaka Area (Bishamonten Zenkoku-ji Temple / Akagi-jinja Shrine / Yarai Noh theater / Within the area of Kagurazaka-dori streets / Shirogane park / Historical landmarks / and other) |
| Viewing method | Free admission (some require advance registration) |
| Organization | Arts Council Tokyo (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture) / NPO Ikimachi Club |
| Subsidies and cooperation | Tokyo Metropolitan Government |
| Joint sponsorship | Shinjuku-ku |
| Support | Shinjuku Convention & Visitors Bureau |
| Cooperation | Tokyo Kagurazaka Association / Bishamonten Zenkoku-ji Temple / Akagi-jinja Shrine / Kanze Kyukokai / Yarai Noh theater / Natsume Soseki Memorial Museum /Tokyo University of Science / Ikimachi Co. / Kagurazaka Avenue Association / Session House / GAGAKU Association / THEGREE / SEION TOKYO / Edo Tokyo Guide Group / Kosho-ji Temple / Enpuku-ji Temple / KPMG AZSA LLC / Dai-Ichi Kangyo Credit Cooperative Kagurazaka Branch / EPS Holdings, Inc. / Hatsudai wellness lab / MORI NO TSUMIKI HIROBA / Kumagai Gumi /Longrun Planning /Office Yamaguchi / Mind |
| Production | Koten Kukan Co,Ltd |
| Management | NPO Arcship |
| General enquiries | “Kagurazaka Street Stage O-edo Tour” executive office (c/o Koten Kukan Co,Ltd) TEL：03-5478-8265 (10:00-18:00 weekdays) E-Mail：contact@kaguramachi.jp |
| Enquiries about media coverage and publicity | “Kagurazaka Street Stage O-edo Tour” executive office (c/o Koten Kukan Co,Ltd) TEL：03-5478-8255 (10:00-18:00 weekdays) *Japanese only. E-Mail：pr@kaguramachi.jp |
Introduction of Ambassadors
Robert Campbell, a Japanese literature scholar with a deep knowledge of traditional culture and and also a well-known TV personality, has been appointed as an ambassador for the Kagurazaka Street Stage O-edo tour. As a guest for the program at the Yarai Noh Theater he will give a deep dive into the questions and attractions of traditional performing arts. A teaser video filmed in the elegant Kagurazaka district will also be released. He’ll present the attraction of our event.
Charm of Kagurazaka
While many areas of Tokyo have been transformed by redevelopment, Kagurazaka has retained its Edo period layout, with stone-paved alleys and other features. Along with the development of the Kagurazaka’s Geisha district, masters of the art of song, dance, and music have had their practice halls in the Kagurazaka area and have inherited the traditional performing arts. In the prewar period, there were also a number of entertainment halls where storytelling and other forms of entertainment were actively performed. In the post-war period, many French and other foreigners have lived in the Kagurazaka area, which is said to be “The atmosphere of Paris” and has created a unique taste by harmonizing and blending with the traditional Japanese culture. The various sizes of events, including traditional performing arts are held by NPO Ikimachi Club, young volunteer groups, shopping associations, businesses, and stores those have been cooperating with. Today, Kagurazaka, with its many cultural assets, has become a “town” that attracts a great deal of interests from both within Japan and abroad.
Volunteers in Action
Since the first Kagurazaka Street Stage O-edo Tour was held in 2013, it has been supported by volunteers registered with the NPO Ikimachi Club, a non-profit organization that operates mainly in the local Kagurazaka area, as well as people from local shopping districts, businesses, and universities. Volunteers who know Kagurazaka well will welcome you again this year.
Machibutai Concierge [Street Stage Concierge]
The “Machibutai Concierge,” a group of local volunteers who with a particular interest in traditional and Japanese performing arts, has held a series of study sessions on the performers, genres, instruments, towards to this event. At each live venue, in addition to providing information to visitors, we will also serve as the host of the event and welcome you with hospitality.