Kabuki Music Guidebook Released

Feb 26, 2024 | News On Japan

TOKYO - A comprehensive guidebook that delves into the world of traditional Japanese Kabuki music, "Kabuki Music: A Guide to Deep Listening and Viewing," was released on Monday.

Kabuki Music Guidebook Released 音を聴く深く観る歌舞伎音楽事始

Authored by Professor Makiko Tsuchida of the Faculty of Literature at Kyoritsu Women's University and published by NHK, the book is designed to introduce readers to the unique characteristics, history, and key points of appreciation of Kabuki music.

Structured in two parts, the first section, "Understanding Kabuki Music," lays the groundwork by explaining the basics, while the second section, "Listening to Kabuki Music," provides insights into the auditory experience of this traditional art form. Additionally, as a special feature, the book includes interviews with two prominent figures in the world of Kabuki music: Aoi Takemoto and Mitasuke Kineya.

Kabuki enthusiasts and newcomers alike will find "Kabuki Music: A Guide to Deep Listening and Viewing" a valuable resource to deepen their understanding and enjoyment of this integral aspect of the traditional Japanese stage. The book is available for purchase as of today on Amazon.co.jp and other retailers.

This release not only contributes to the preservation of traditional Japanese arts but also serves as an educational tool for those interested in the cultural heritage of Japan. The interviews with Takemoto and Kineya offer an intimate look into the lives of the musicians who continue to breathe life into Kabuki performances, making it a must-read for anyone looking to gain a deeper appreciation of Kabuki music.

Source: Natalie

Typhoons No. 28 and 29 Bring High Waves to Japan's Pacific Coast

Two typhoons moving across the Pacific southeast of Japan are expected to remain well away from the Japanese mainland, but powerful swells could bring rough seas to a wide stretch of the country's Pacific coastline throughout the three-day holiday weekend, according to forecasts updated at 3 a.m. on October 10.

Cyberattacks Spread Across Japan

A series of cyberattacks has disrupted business operations and exposed millions of customer records across Japan, with a ransomware attack on a cloud service provider affecting 495 companies and local governments nationwide, while convenience store operator Lawson has disclosed a separate breach involving more than 2.15 million personal information records.

Japan's First 360-Degree Projection Mapping Opens in Osaka

Japan's first 360-degree projection mapping show will open at the Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts on October 10, transforming the historic building into an immersive world of light, music, and seasonal imagery, with organizers hoping the attraction will also help stimulate the city's nighttime economy.

Tokyo University Professor Wins Nobel Prize in Chemistry

Tokyo University of Science professor emeritus Kenzo Soai has been awarded this year's Nobel Prize in Chemistry together with French chemist Henri B. Kagan for discoveries that transformed scientists' understanding of how chemical reactions can favor one of two mirror-image forms of a molecule.

US Military Halts All Okinawa Operations for 48 Hours

The US military suspended activities by all forces stationed in Okinawa for 48 hours from noon on October 7, an unusual measure following the arrest of a US Marine in connection with a robbery and murder case that has renewed scrutiny of crimes involving American service members.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Entertainment NEWS

Tamori Among Three Recognized as Honorary Tokyo Citizens

Entertainer Tamori and two other prominent figures were named Honorary Citizens of Tokyo on October 1 in recognition of their contributions to the capital's development and the lives of its residents, with an award ceremony held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government headquarters on Tokyo Citizens' Day.

Candy Caries Wins Grand Prize at Ottawa Animation Festival

Japanese director Tomoki Misato's stop-motion animation Candy Caries has won the Grand Prize in the children's category for ages 7 and up at the Ottawa International Animation Festival in Canada, one of the world's three major animation festivals.

Composer of Kobe Earthquake Recovery Song Remembered in Special Tribute

Makoto Usui, the composer of "Shiawase Hakoberu Yoni," a song written in the aftermath of the 1995 Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake that has become a symbol of hope for disaster survivors across Japan and overseas, died in July at the age of 65, leaving behind a musical legacy that his former students are determined to carry forward.

No Time Off for Kyoto Actors

While millions of people across Japan enjoyed this year's five-day Silver Week holiday, workers at Kyoto's Toei Uzumasa Eigamura film studio theme park and a 24-hour smartphone repair service faced packed schedules, with some working late into the night to keep holidaymakers entertained and respond to emergencies.

AI Enka Singer to Debut With Neo Kobushi

Japan's oldest record company is turning to artificial intelligence to reshape one of the country's most traditional musical genres, unveiling an AI-generated enka singer as part of a new label combining the technology with the distinctive vocal style of Japanese ballads.