Outline

In spring, when cherry blossoms bloom, Terminal 3, the international terminal of Haneda Airport (Tokyo International Airport), will be full of international tourists. The National Theatre (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo), the hall of fame for traditional performing arts, will present an event that showcases BUNRAKU and NIHONBUYO at "Edo Stage" on the 4th floor so that as many international tourists as possible can directly watch and feel the charms of traditional Japanese performing arts. A commentary by the performer with an English translation and compact presentations will be given. You can experience the joy of traditional performing arts up close!

●Performance Times
①13:30~ NIHONBUYO
②14:30~ BUNRAKU
③15:30~ NIHONBUYO
④16:30~ BUNRAKU
*Each session will take approximately 45 minutes or less (estimated).
*① and ③, ② and ④ have the same content.
*Please note that there may be changes.

●Prices
 Free

●Miscellaneous
・Folding chairs will be set in front of the Edo Stage.
・Those who do not get chairs will be required to stand in a designated space.
・Viewing in areas obstructing traffic is prohibited by regulations.

Performance Schedule  (in no particular order)

Consecutive English translation is available for the commentaries.

A puppet play that progresses to the tune of "Gidayu Bushi," a representative form of narrative music (Joruri) that tells a story with the accompaniment of the Shamisen. It originated in Ozaka (present-day Osaka) in the late 17th century. "Bunraku" comes from the name of a theater that gained popularity in the mid-19th century. The "tayu" and the Shamisen, who play Gidayu Bushi, tell and play all the elements of the story, such as the scenery of the scene, the characters' personalities, and their feelings of joy, anger, sorrow, and joy. In addition, for the "dolls," the method of operating one doll by three people made it possible to make realistic movements. Tayu, Shamisen, and dolls form a trinity to express a high level of artistry on stage.

1. Commentary: YOSHIDA Tamasuke (puppeteer)
2. Performance: "Ninin Sambaso"
  Cast: TOYOTAKE Todaoyu (tayu)
  TSURUZAWA Seishiro (Shamisen)
  YOSHIDA Tamasho (puppeteer)
  YOSHIDA Tamayo (puppeteer)
  and others
  Hayashi: MOCHIZUKI Tamezo troupe

NIHONBUYO

NIHONBUYO, the Traditional Japanese Dance, has two major streams: "Mai" which was developed mainly in the Keihan region (Kyoto and Osaka) and moves smoothly on a flat surface, and "Odori,'' which was developed in Edo (Tokyo) along with the development of Kabuki, and involves dynamic movements. The artists use highly sophisticated techniques to express the heart of the lyrics or words accompanied by the melody, employing beautiful "Furi" movements based on the movements of life in the good old days.

1. Commentary: FUJIMA Etsuko
2. Performance of Nagauta “Suisen Tanzen”
  Choreography: FUJIMA Etsuko
  Cast: AZUMA Kimiya
  HANAYAGI Motoshizui

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