"For, By Viewing the Flowers, We May Forget Out Own Despair"・ Hanabusa Shūjaku Jishi (1754)

Jan 23, 2023 | News On Japan

TOKYO - In this video, we cover the old shishi dance Hanabusa Shūjaku Jishi (英執着獅子), first performed by the onnagata Nakamura Tomijūrō I (1719 – 1786).

This is, of course, just a quick introduction to the fascinating genre of shakkyōmono dances, which includes examples such as Aioi Jishi (1734), Makura Jishi (1742), Shakkyō (1820), Renjishi (1872) and (1893).

Originally I wanted to include footage from Nakamura Jakuemon IV's famous 2001 performance of the dance, as he contributed greatly to the popularization of this piece since the mid-XX century. But the one seen here by Nakamura Fukusuke IX, recorded in October 2008 at the Kabuki-za, is, in my opinion, simply sublime, showing him at the height of his Utaemon-worthy powers as a dancers. The two productions, by actors at completely different stages of their careers, did not match up well at all, so I decided to go with Fukusuke's, although it is lacking in video quality. I'll share some more footage of the akahime version and Jakuemon's in the Patreon later today, for comparison. ...continue reading

Typhoon No. 15 Makes Landfall in Ibaraki and Crosses Kanto

Typhoon No. 15 (Chan-hom) made landfall in southern Ibaraki Prefecture on August 11 and was crossing southern Kanto late in the evening, bringing intense rain and strong winds to Tokyo and surrounding areas while forecasters warned that another band of rain could sweep in from the Pacific after midnight.

Typhoon No. 15 Travel Disruption Eases as Most Major Services Resume

Transport disruption caused by Typhoon No. 15 was easing across eastern Japan on the morning of August 12, with most major railway and airline services returning to normal after dozens of flight cancellations and widespread rail disruption during the storm's landfall in Ibaraki Prefecture the previous evening.

H3 Rocket No. 9 Successfully Launches Japan GPS Satellite

Japan's H3 Rocket No. 9 successfully placed the Michibiki No. 7 navigation satellite into its planned orbit after lifting off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture at 4:23 a.m. on August 11, marking the country's second consecutive successful H3 launch.

Tokaido Shinkansen Runs First Overnight Service

The Tokaido Shinkansen operated its first overnight service ahead of the Obon holiday period, offering travelers a 15,000 yen trip from the Tokyo area to Kyoto and Shin-Osaka while allowing them to save on hotel costs and arrive earlier than the first regular morning trains.

Typhoon No. 15 to Disrupt Travel on August 11

Typhoon No. 15 is expected to approach and likely make landfall somewhere in the Kanto region on August 11, bringing strong winds and heavy rain that could disrupt conventional rail services, expressways and flights while also affecting a wider area extending into Tohoku.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Entertainment NEWS

The Conspiracy Within the Ashikaga House EXPLAINED・ Meiboku Sendai Hagi Part II (1777)

In this video we continue the explanation of the plot of the kabuki masterpiece Meiboku Sendai Hagi ("The Precious Incense and Autumn Flowers of Sendai").

Green-Screen Editing and Precise Reference Control: Seedance 2.5 for Professional Production

Professional video workflows depend less on generating a striking image than on preserving decisions, isolating changes, and handing each shot to the next stage in a form that remains usable.

Weekly Shonen Jump Circulation Falls Below 1 Million for First Time

The average circulation of Weekly Shonen Jump fell below 1 million copies for the first time since official figures began, marking another milestone in the long-term decline of Japan's print manga magazine market.

Anime to Watch on Netflix August 2026

Feel the heat this August, with the dazzling adventure of THE RIBBON HERO, and new weekly episodes of anime delivering action, discovery, and romance!

World Cosplayers Pay Courtesy Visit as Nagoya Summit Opens July 31

Cosplayers representing 10 countries and regions visited Aichi Governor Hideaki Omura and Nagoya Mayor Ichiro Hirosawa on July 29 ahead of the World Cosplay Summit, one of the world's largest cosplay events, which opens in Nagoya on July 31.

World's Oldest Singing Duo Earns Guinness World Record

An 88-year-old man and an 84-year-old woman based in Yaizu, Shizuoka Prefecture, have been certified by Guinness World Records as the world's oldest professional singing duo.

TikTok事務所の役割と仕組み：クリエイター経済を支える新しいマネジメントモデル

近年、TikTokは単なるショート動画プラットフォームから、世界中のクリエイターが収益を得る「クリエイター経済」の中心へと進化しています。

Japan's Latest Capsule Toy Craze

Small "marker charms" attached to umbrellas, plastic bottles and other everyday items are becoming a major capsule toy trend in Japan, attracting not only younger consumers but also adults drawn to their practicality, affordability and collectible appeal.

< 2 3 4 5 >