Tokyo: Kabuki, Bunraku, etc. Presented by the National Theatre

Experience a variety of Japanese classical performing arts, which have a history spanning hundreds of years. These performances are by top-notch performers who have handed down the authentic art form for hundreds of years.

Experience the true essence of Japanese culture, not just imitation.

This is a performance presented by the National Theatre Japan, a representative theatre, which has consistently supported Japan's classical performing arts since its opening in 1965.

*The performance venue is NOT the National Theatre (Hanzomon). The venue will vary depending on the date. Please check the explanation in the "Meeting Location" section.

Please see below for details of each performance:

[ Kabuki: Traditional Japanese Theatre Performance / 2nd photo ]
Kabuki is the dramatic theatre which combines music and dance. It is one of Japan’s most typical traditional arts. This performing art contains exciting stories, beautiful scenes and other features that thrill audiences. Throughout its long history spanning hundreds of years, Kabuki has incorporated trends from each successive era, and continues to be a fresh performing art.

[ Bunraku: Traditional Puppet Performance / 1st photo ]
Bunraku is one of Japan's representative traditional theater arts for adults, inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It is a closely collaborative form which synchronizes narrative recitation, shamisen music and puppetry in performance. Recitation of stories by a narrator letting out his voice with all of his might, the dynamic and delicate sound of the shamisen, and the beautiful movements of the puppets astound the audience.
Featuring this outstanding unique style, Bunraku is praised worldwide as a very sophisticated form of puppet theater.

[ Hogaku: Concert of Traditional Japanese Music]
This program puts a spotlight on melodies that symbolize snow (“Yuki no Aikata”), featuring traditional Japanese music that incorporates such melodies. “Yuki no Aikata” refers to the long shamisen interlude in the Jiuta “Yuki” (Snow). This melody appears in various songs accompanying scenes that depict falling snow, which has become a familiar musical representation of snow. Listen carefully for these expressive elements woven into each piece, and immerse yourself in the appeal of traditional Japanese music.