[Linden Hall School Junior and Senior High School] Junior high and high school students perform Japanese traditional culture “Kabuki” in English.Learn directly from Kabuki actors for about half a
year.Express with your own body.Become a person who can convey the charm of Japan to the world Tsuzuki Gakuen Group Press release: September 30, 2024 [Linden Hall School Junior and Senior High School] Junior high and high school students perform Japanese traditional culture “Kabuki” in English. Learn directly from Kabuki actors for about half a year. Express with your own body. Become a person who can convey the charm of Japan to the world. October 10th (Thursday) 18:30 ~ “Sugawara transmission handbook Kurumahiki” about Dazaifu and Sugawara Michizane will be performed at Acros Fukuoka Symphony Hall Fukuoka’s private school, Linden Hall School Junior and Senior High School (Location: Chikushino City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Principal: Akiyoshi Tsuzuki) will hold an English class by our students at ACROS Fukuoka Symphony Hall from 18:30 on Thursday, October 10, 2024. We will be performing Kabuki. The students have been practicing under the direction of Kabuki actor Ichitaro Nakamura and produced by Nariko Maya Office Co., Ltd. and Miyamoto Unosuke Shoten.The costumes are made by Shochiku Costume Co., Ltd., and the props and commemorative items are made by local Fukuoka Prefecture locals. We will create the stage with the cooperation of companies. Our school provides a unique curriculum that combines traditional Japanese culture and
international culture, and aims to develop human resources who can establish their identity as people born and raised in Japan and play an active role globally.We teach Japanese and regional traditional culture in English. This is our first attempt at a culmination of learning that we will share with the world.
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understanding as they prepare.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/20664/213/20664-213-d2b0d72a8b61d823a4de9968ab6b7f6d-1015×433.jpg ■Project overview 72 students from 7th grade (1st year of junior high school) to 11th grade (2nd year of high school) studied together as a project across grade levels. All of the following casting and preparation will be done by the students. Main cast: Fujiwara Tokihira, Matsuomaru, Umeomaru, Sakuramaru, Kanebohiki, Fujinai (Kanabohiki), Sugiomaru (Toneri) Other student roles: Shicho, Ushi, Kuroko, Tsukeuchi, Hayashi, Tools, Kyogen style, Explanation, Program, Exhibition team Date and time: Thursday, October 10, 2024 Venue: ACROS Fukuoka Symphony Hall 18:00 Doors open 18:30 Start Principal: Ichiban Taiko by Akizuka Tsuzuki 18:35 Instruction: Kazutaro Nakamura Principal: Akizuka Tsuzuki Greetings 18:45 Program commentary by students 18:55 Break 19:10 Program: Sugawara Teaching Handbook Kurumahiki 19:40 Curtain call ■Why do we perform English Kabuki For 20 years since its opening in 2004, Linden Hall School has focused on nurturing international students through English immersion and bilingual education, environmental and inquiry-based learning, and Japanese culture. In order to acquire the cultural knowledge necessary to play an active role on the global stage, we have practiced the acquisition of Kojiki, tea ceremony, archery, etc. as part of our school’s own curriculum throughout elementary, junior high, and high school. This year, which marks the school’s 20th anniversary, students who understand traditional Japanese culture, have an inquisitive mind, and are creative have created English songs and dances with the help of real kabuki actors and various companies. I will perform a play. The aim is to deepen understanding of culture through performances, hone each student’s individuality, and use English to spread Japanese culture overseas. ■About “Sugawara Teaching Handbook” “Sugawara Denju Teraikagami” is a performance of puppet joruri and kabuki. Depicts the lives of the people around Michizane Sugawara during the Heian period, surrounding his demotion. “Kurumabiki” is a famous scene full of stylistic beauty that depicts the fight between the Toneri triplets. Toneri Umeohmaru, the Minister of Sugajo, and Toneri Sakuramaru, Prince Saiyo, stand in the way of Tokihira’s oxcart when he arrives at Yoshida Shrine to take revenge on Tokihira Fujiwara. Tokihira’s Toneri Shoomaru appeared to stop this. The triplets, now divided into allies and enemies, are unable to take a step back from each other. While the three of them fight, Tokihira appears from inside the broken oxcart. The three brothers parted ways, promising to settle things after their father’s birthday celebration.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/20664/213/20664-213-dcb553bf3a72f787110847d6c09b783c-1760×2531.jpg The main character, Michizane Sugawara, has ties to Fukuoka (Kunitachi College of Music Library, Michitaka Takeuchi Bunko) ■Past efforts Our school’s English Kabuki initiative began in January of this year. The students deepen their understanding of Kabuki by researching and learning about its history, costumes, and instruments, and since April they have been dividing up their roles and preparing for rehearsals and productions. The students who become performers learn from Kabuki actors such as Ichitaro Nakamura how to wear a yukata, how to stand around, how to say their lines, and acquire movement and expression. In August, we began practicing acting in English in earnest. Image
URL: https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/20664/213/20664-213-57904a93de00a8283ff7410a5fb3854f-1366×373.jpg Students also create pamphlets and props for practice.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/20664/213/20664-213-1f4411b6c4c60c270467d66d6fc81cb2-1128×411.jpg ■Collaboration with local companies This project is not completed solely within the university, but involves the cooperation of many people, including local businesses and the Hakataza Theater. We will experience the culture and techniques that are rooted in the region, learn about the history of traditional industries, and spread the word domestically and internationally through English Kabuki. [Nishimura Orimono] The souvenir for our 20th anniversary will be an original passport case produced in collaboration with Nishimura Orimono, the oldest Hakata-ori textile manufacturer based in Chikushino City. [Fukuoka Civic Hall Service] We made the props for English Kabuki at the workshop of Fukuoka Civic Hall Service Co., Ltd., which also makes the props for Hakataza.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/20664/213/20664-213-6c01a7c108a14fd0d7a2d8e7459b057f-1425×363.jpg ■Viewing method The English Kabuki performance will be held to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the founding of Linden Hall School, Tsuzuki Ikuei Gakuen Educational Corporation. In preparation for holding the commemorative performance, we will send invitation tickets to the performance to individual and corporate donors who have donated 5,000 yen or more. Please check this page for details. (until September 30th) https://lindenhall.ed.jp/highschool/donation/ ■Comment from Kabuki actor Ichitaro Nakamura Even when Kabuki is performed overseas, it is usually performed in Japanese without changing the fundamentals of acting, so we cannot do English Kabuki, and Linden Hall School is unique. I think it’s possible. At first, the students in front of me were wearing costumes and wigs, and I was wondering if they could actually do it. Although I was worried, I decided to give it a try and started.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/20664/213/20664-213-b7d66ab0006bfc58552f3a440bf737e8-508×640.jpg Even if you can get the lines right, professionals often have Japanese dance as their basis.When it comes to movement, I have felt the difficulty of getting them to perform Kabuki when they don’t have the basics, such as wearing a yukata for the first time. . I think we only practice once or twice a week as it’s part of the class, but each line gets better and better day by day, and before the training camp, it was only 20% complete. It has increased to 80-90%. I think this is a result of the students’ energy and concentration. ■Comment from Principal Akiyoshi Tsuzuki
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/20664/213/20664-213-f43ff4232ec73942ecf5ade32ef54c47-642×640.jpg Tsuzuki Ikuei Gakuen Educational Corporation Linden Hall School Junior and Senior High School Principal Akizuka Tsuzuki Global human resources are people who have an identity (individuality), acquire English language skills, specialized knowledge, and education, and are able to accept diversity. Our school has an educational policy of “Japanese spirit and talent,” and we emphasize bilingual education (English immersion), international understanding through experience, and inquiry learning centered on the environment. We have also created opportunities to learn about values. This time, I was able to take on the challenge of performing English Kabuki with the enthusiastic guidance of young Kabuki actors and musicians who are active on the front lines, as well as people from the local traditional industry. We were given detailed information about the history of the company and products, as well as the philosophy and thoughts behind them. The students will be able to absorb this unique experience and knowledge in their own way, express it as English Kabuki using their own words and bodies, and disseminate it domestically and internationally.It will be a great opportunity for the students to become active globally in the future. I am confident that it will be a source of confidence and wealth. ■About Linden Hall School Linden Hall School opened an elementary school department (Dazaifu City, Fukuoka Prefecture) in 2004, and a middle and high school department (Chikushino City, Fukuoka Prefecture) in 2010. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the school’s opening. Based on the concept of “Japanese spirit and talent,” we aim to cultivate human resources who can play an active role in a rapidly changing global society.We practice “English immersion education” for 12 years in elementary, middle and high school, and are bilingual in Japanese and English at a native level. learn. The curriculum is bilingual and follows the curriculum guidelines of the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.From the second half of the first year of high school onwards, we have adopted the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (English) to train students’ thinking and inquiry skills. In addition, in order to develop students’ global perspective, we encourage them to study abroad from an early stage, engage in exploratory extracurricular activities, and develop unique
environmental studies, as well as believe that traditional education is important. We also focus on learning culture and traditions. In terms of university admissions, we have sent students to not only domestic public and private universities, but also overseas
universities such as Trinity College, University of Cambridge, Imperial College, Columbia University, and Cornell University in the United States. We will continue to fulfill Linden Hall School’s mission of “developing individuality, gaining confidence, and sending them out into the world,” and we will continue to develop bilingual human resources with high aspirations who can play an active role on the global stage.