Traditional Puppet Drama Showcased in February Event

National Theatre Hosts February 2024 Bunraku Performances Including "Adanami Onna Maiogi"

Jan 15 (News On Japan) - The "Reiwa 6 February Bunraku Performance" will be staged from February 5th to 13th at the Japan Youth Hall in Tokyo.

The performance, which includes scenes from "Adanami Onna Maiogi" (The Beauty of the Dancing Courtesan), is organized by the National Theatre of Japan. This marks the first time that a Bunraku performance will be held at the Japan Youth Hall. The program is divided into three parts, with the first part featuring the dance "Futari Sanbaso," and the tragic story of Hayano Kanpei from "Kanadehon Chushingura," including the scenes "Yamazaki Kaido Deai no Dan," "Futatama no Dan," "Mibai no Dan," and "Hayano Kanpei Harakiri no Dan."

The second part includes the "Sakaya no Dan" (The Liquor Store Scene) from "Adanami Onna Maiogi," where the character Osato reminisces about her husband who has left her, and the glamorous dance "Modorikago Iroai Kata" from "Kuruwa Bunsho."

The third part features "Gojo Bridge," depicting the fateful encounter between Benkei and Ushiwakamaru, as well as scenes from "Sotoba Komachi" that portray the emotional and moral struggles of the sumo wrestler Nuregami and his family, including "Nanba Ura Kenka no Dan" and "Hachiman Sato Hikimado no Dan."

Source: Natalie

Do Bears Prefer Acorns or Berries?

Bear sightings across Japan have already climbed to nearly twice the level recorded during the same period last year, prompting entry bans in mountain areas behind Kyoto’s Ninna-ji Temple and the cancellation of hiking events in Kansai, while new research suggests that the key to reducing encounters may lie in understanding what bears eat in each region.

Copper Thieves Target Japanese Shrines

Copper roofing panels were stolen from several shrines in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, including a city-designated cultural property, in the latest case amid a nationwide surge in copper thefts targeting shrines and temples across Japan, where soaring metal prices have fueled crimes that leave historic religious buildings damaged, exposed to the elements, and facing repair costs of millions of yen.

1200-Year-Old Temple on Miyajima Reduced to Ashes

Flames broke out on the morning of May 20th on Miyajima Island in Hiroshima Prefecture, home to one of Japan's World Heritage sites, destroying Reikado Hall near the summit of Mount Misen.

From Bento Boxes to Garbage Bags, Rising Costs Hitting Daily Life Across Japan

Uncertainty surrounding the situation in the Middle East is beginning to affect daily life in Japan, as concerns over crude oil supplies spread to restaurants, cleaning services and even household garbage disposal systems across the Kansai region.

Tochigi Robbery-Murder Suspect’s Wife Posted Dance Videos on Social Media

A 25-year-old woman arrested as a suspected ringleader in a robbery-murder case in Tochigi Prefecture once posted cheerful dance videos on social media and was remembered by those who knew her as an energetic and outgoing young woman.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Travel NEWS

Cormorant Fishing Marks Arrival of Early Summer in Southern Japan

Traditional ukai cormorant fishing, a seasonal custom signaling the arrival of early summer, began on May 20th along the Chikugo River in Asakura, Fukuoka Prefecture, following the opening of ayu sweetfish fishing on the river that flows through southern Fukuoka.

Historic Walk Through Miyama’s Thatched-Roof Village

Surrounded by mountains in Kyoto Prefecture, Miyama’s Kitamura district preserves one of Japan’s most iconic rural landscapes, where rows of traditional thatched-roof houses have been maintained for generations through strong community cooperation and deeply rooted village traditions.

Japan Releases Six Rules to Avoid Bear Encounters

The Japanese government has released a set of guidelines titled "Six Rules to Avoid Encountering Bears" as bear sightings across the country continue to rise sharply compared to the same period in previous years.

Foreigners Suspected of Rampant Graffiti at Fushimi Inari Shrine

Video footage appears to show graffiti being carved into bamboo at Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari Taisha, with witnesses claiming two foreign visitors were involved in the vandalism.

Fukuoka's Dazaifu Tenmangu Restored to Original Brilliance

Dazaifu Tenmangu in Fukuoka Prefecture, which enshrines Sugawara no Michizane, the deity of learning, opened its restored main shrine to the media on May 18th after completing its first major renovation in 124 years.

Elderly Hokkaido Man Punches Bear in the Nose

A 78-year-old man who drove off a brown bear by punching it in the nose has recounted the terrifying ordeal, as an unusual surge in spring bear sightings continues across Japan, including in the Kanto region and Tokyo.

Bear Appears Near Tokyo Homes and Schools

A bear sighting in a residential area of Hachioji, western Tokyo, at the end of April has heightened concerns among local residents as encounters involving bears continue to increase across Japan.

Russian Hiker Seriously Injured in Bear Attack in Western Tokyo

A Russian man in his 30s suffered serious injuries after being attacked by a bear while hiking on Mount Mutsuishi in Okutama Town, western Tokyo, at around 12:10 p.m. on May 17th, according to the Metropolitan Police Department and the Tokyo Fire Department.

< 2 3 4 5 >