[National Theater] Information on the Japanese music performance “First Japanese Music: The Charm of the Koto”
*Agency for Cultural Affairs*
Press release: August 15, 2024
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[National Theater] Information on the Japanese music performance “First Japanese Music: The Charm of the Koto”
*An introductory project that will help you discover new charms of the koto with fun explanations*
August 2020 National Theater 209th Japanese Music Performance The sound of the koto passes through your ears in various scenes of town and life. In particular, many people may imagine it as a classic song that is heard during New Year’s.
The koto has a long history and has been played in gagaku music since before the Middle Ages, but even today it continues to evolve, with new compositions being created and performance techniques being devised.
“First Japanese Music – The Charm of the Koto” is a performance that introduces the appeal of the koto in a structure that is easy for anyone to listen to. How many strings does a koto have? How do you play it?
The 90-minute program begins with basic knowledge, such as the key points to listen to when playing a koto piece, and the songs to sing while playing, which naturally deepens your interest through fun explanations, and then allows you to enjoy two songs with contrasting sounds. Would you like to experience the fun of the koto once again? The story and performance will be provided by talented performers Nobuko Hihara and Noriko Hirata who are actively involved in both classical and contemporary music, and the guide will be Fuku Suzuki, an actor who grew up in a family deeply involved in Japanese music. We will welcome you to the world of koto.
This is an introductory performance that is suitable for parents and children to enjoy together, allowing them to acquire knowledge of traditional music while remembering the last memories of summer.
* Approaching the charm of the koto! Easy-to-understand explanation * ○Explanation: Japanese music is wonderful!
“What is koto music?” “Various ways to play the koto” “Key points for playing the koto”
We will start with a fun explanation about the koto. The koto is said to have been introduced from China during the Nara period (around the 8th century). From an introduction to the musical instrument itself that you may know but don’t know, we will explain in an
easy-to-understand manner how to play the koto and how to enjoy the music it plays.
Even for first-time viewers, by gaining some basic knowledge at the beginning, you can naturally deepen your interest in the koto and enjoy the performances that follow.
Additionally, for those who would like to find out more about koto music, the performance commentary booklet distributed free of charge is the perfect companion for research. You can learn about the history of the koto and the explanations and lyrics of the pieces played. Consecutive English interpretation will also be provided for explanations. Please feel free to invite guests from other countries and enjoy traditional Japanese music together.
* Enjoy the various charms of the koto by listening to two songs! * ○Performance: Koto song “Summer Song”
Next, you will enjoy the actual koto music. The “Summer Songs,” which are performed with singing and accompaniment, are based on the lyrics of four waka poems from the summer section of the “Kokin Wakashu.”
* Ishigami Hototogisu of the old capital*
* It’s all about voices *
* 2 Natsuyama comes with someone you love*
* A loud voice cries *
* Three The heart that is untainted by the turbidity of a lotus leaf* * Something is deceiving the dew *
* Four The path of the sky that comes and goes in summer and autumn* * One side is cool and the wind is blowing *
In addition to the melody reminiscent of a refreshing summer, it is a popular song that allows you to enjoy the unique playing technique and the improvised and brilliant Tegoto (the instrumental part between the songs).
[Reference: From Kokin Wakashu]
Isonokamifuruki Miyakono Kakukosei Hakariko is what it was once upon a time Sosei (144 Sosei Hoshi)
A person who is afraid of summer mountains and a voice of anger, who does not raise his voice.Ki Shuji (158)
Hachisuha’s unsmiling heart makes the soup taste like a ball. Sojo Hensei (165 Sojo Hensho)
Summer and autumn go, and the wind and the swelling mitsune on the other side of the fusora (166 Bonko Kawachi Mitsune)
○Performance: Contemporary Japanese music “Three Paraphrases” This duet composed by Tadao Sawai (1937-1997) consists of three movements, and has recently been featured in the popular manga and anime series “Kono Sound Stop!”. ‘, it was introduced as a difficult piece for high school students to try. It is a masterpiece that makes you feel the potential of the koto, with lots of modulations and transpositions and gorgeous techniques.
Appearance
* 《Information》 *
Fuku Suzuki
Suzuki Fuku
actor.
Debuted in the entertainment industry in 2006 on NHK Educational Television (currently E-Tele)’s “Inai Inai Ba!”. Since then, his activities have been wide-ranging, including television, movies, theater, and commercials.
His grandfather was Taizan Kawamura, a shakuhachi player, and he himself studied the koto from an early age.
*《Performance and talk》*
Nobuko Hihara
Yoko Hihara
Ikuta style koto player. Kyushu-based jiuta koto composer.
Studied under Juke Iwata. Studied contemporary Japanese music and the 25-string koto under Masatoshi Nosaka. When performing classical music, he calls himself Nichiwara Fujika Weike.
Noriko Hirata (C)︎Ayane Shindo
Noriko Hirata
Ikuta style koto player.
Studied under Fumiko Nagata and Satomi Fukami since childhood. Teacher of Ikuta-ryu Koto music Miyagisha.
*Performance information*
Saturday, August 31, 2020 Starts at 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. (Scheduled to end at 12:30 and 4:30 p.m.)
■Admission fee (tax included, each time)
5,000 yen (3,500 yen for students)
■Start making reservations
July 18th (Thursday) 10am
*If there are seats left, only same-day tickets will be sold at the performance venue: Same-day ticket counter = 10 a.m. until the start of each performance
〔internet〕
https://ticket.ntj.jac.go.jp/
[Telephone]
National Theater Ticket Center – 10am – 6pm –
0570(07)9900
/03(3230)3000 [some IP phones, etc.]
* venue:*
*Bunkyo Civic Hall Small Hall*
2nd floor, Bunkyo Civic Center, 1-16-21 Kasuga, Bunkyo-ku
Directly connected to Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line/Namboku Line “Korakuen Station”
Directly connected to Kasuga Station on the Toei Shinjuku Mita Line and Oedo Line
Approximately 10 minutes walk from JR Chuo/Sobu Line “Suidobashi Station” *You cannot eat or drink at the audience seats.
Also, please note that the eating and drinking space in the lobby is limited.
Sponsored by: Japan Arts Council, Independent Administrative Agency, Agency for Cultural Affairs
◎Reiwa 6th Japan Expo 2.0 project (commissioned type)