In the old days, Storytellers′ Theater set up in the grounds of shrines and temples where people gathered was also a source of information and entertainment. That Storytellers′ Theater will be recreated in the grounds of Bishamonten Zenkoku-ji Temple. In addition to “Kodan” storytelling, traditional storytelling arts such as “Biwa” Five-stringed Japanese lute storytelling and “Joruri”(“Gidayu-bushi” music) will be performed. The easy-to-understand language and programs are sure to be enjoyed by all newcomers to the theater.

Sunday, May 21st starting at 12:00 / 15:00
Venue Special stage at Bishamonten Zenkoku-ji Temple

Performance
Kanda Matsumaro (“Kodan” storytelling)
Kubota Akiko (“Satsuma biwa” Four or five-stringed Japanese lute)
Tanabe Ginya (“Kodan” storytelling)
Takemoto Kyonosuke + Tsuruzawa Kazu (“Gidayu-bushi” music)

Two live performance spots will appear on the main street of Kagurazaka. A variety of performances will be held on Kagurazaka-dori, a street reminiscent of the old days of Edo. The performances are breathtaking in their skill and exquisite in their performance, and will convey the joy of traditional performing arts in a variety of genres, making this a corner that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

Sunday, May 21st

Venue Shimakin
13:30- OHAYASHI PROJECT (“Hogaku Hayashi” Japanese traditional percussion × Saxophone × Accordion × Sousaphone)
15:00- Naoyuki MANABE GAGAKU Ensemble (“Sho” Japanese mouth organ + “Hichiriki” Japanese oboe + “Fue” Japanese flute)
16:30- Seshami Street Boys (Tsugaru shamisen performance)

Venue Kagurazaka-ue Intersection
13:30- Kamijo Mitsuru (The Edo marionette group)
15:00- HAN’NYA TEIKOKU (“Shakuhachi” Banboo flute)
16:30- KiKi (Tsugaru shamisen) × Kanazashi Keita (“Taiko“ Japanese drum)

This corner features a genre-defying collaboration between traditional Japanese instruments and various instruments from around the world. Arranged pieces of traditional music and original pieces played in the fresh green grounds of Akagi-jinja Shrine. The audience will be comfortably charmed by the beautiful harmony of stringed instruments.

Sunday, May 21st
Venue Akagi-jinja Shrine Grounds

Starting at 14:00
Performance
HOGAKU 2.0 (Guitar × “Sou” Japanese harp × Shamisen)

Starting at 15:30
Performance
Cross‐cultural strings (“Kokyu” Japanese fiddle × “Erhu” Chinese fiddle × “Gadulka” Bulgarian fiddle × Cello × Percussion)

The sound of shamisen music you hear when you wander into a stone-paved alley. It is a “Nagashi no Geino” that you encounter as if by chance. The chic appearance of “Shinnai Nagashi” performed by local Kagurazaka resident and living national treasure Tsuruga Wakasanojo shamisen troupe of “Shinnai-bushi” music will float down the alleys and side streets of Kagurazaka. Listen quietly to the ephemeral and melancholy tone of the music.

Sunday, May 21st starting at 13:00 / 15:00
Venue Start from Jinai Park

Performance
Tsuruga Wakasanojo shamisen troupe (“Shinnai-bushi” music)

“Edo-Hauta” music, which was introduced to Johana in Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture, was sung for 300 years as Iori Uta at the local Johana Hikiyama Festival, and survived as a unique culture. These “Iori Uta” returned to Edo. The young men of Johana parade through the back alleys of Kagurazaka with their shamisen, flutes, and singing voices, maintaining the atmosphere of the Hikiyama Festival.

Sunday, May 21st starting at 12:00 / 14:00
Venue Start from Bishamonten Zenkoku-ji Temple

Performance
Hotetsu Kai (Johana folk performing art of Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture)

Families can enjoy traditional games such as “Koma” and “Kendama”, as well as building blocks, spontaneously under the sky. Traditional Picture cards show and street performances such as The Edo marionette will be demonstrated on Sunday the 21st.

Saturday, May 21st starting at 13:00
Venue Shirogane Park

Performance
13:30- Shibuya Gagekidan (Picture cards shows)
15:00- Kamijo Mitsuru (The Edo marionette group)

The sophisticated traditional music performed against the backdrop of the evening sky. Beginning with “Edo-Daikagura”, contemporary pieces performed with superb technique by “Sho” woodwind instrument used in “Gagaku” ancient court music, then, the leading players of “Tokiwazu-bushi” Shamisen performance and “Hayashi” Japanese traditional percussion will passionately perform famous pieces performed in Kabuki and “Nihon-Buyo” Japanese dance.This program will conclude the two-day festival.

Sunday, May 21st starting at 17:30
Venue Kaguraden Stage in Akagi-jinja Shrine

Performance
Maruichi Senoh Troupe (“Edo-Daikagura” Japanese traditional juggling and lion dance)
Manabe Naoyuki (​“Sho” Japanese mouth organ)
Tokiwazu Waeidayu Troupe (“Tokiwazu-bushi” music) × Tosha Chiho Troupe (“Hogaku Hayashi” Japanese traditional percussion”)
Cyril Coppini (Navigator)

After receiving a stamp rally map, you can start exploring the alleys of Kagurazaka. Those who have collected stamps at 6 spots related to history and culture will receive a commemorative gift at Bishamonten Zenkoku-ji Temple. At the historical spots, a “historical guide” who knows Kagurazaka well will give you a one-point guide.

Sunday, May 21st 12:00 til 16:00 (by 16:30 for Souvenir gift exchange)

Stamp Rally (collecting stamps on a card while visiting the different location spots)
Stamp-spot
Bishamonten Zenkoku-ji Temple (Souvenir gift exchange), Kosho-ji Temple, Enpuku-ji Temple, Shirogane Park, Jinai Park, Karukozaka-ue

History Guides
Bishamonten Zenkoku-ji Temple, Kosho-ji Temple, Enpuku-ji Temple, Shirogane Park, Jinai Park, Karukozaka-ue, Geisha-shinmichi