IJS Lecture and Performance Presentation: Hiromi Sakamoto, "Introducing Tenshu Monogatari – History, Diversity and Cultural Challenges of Japanese Performing Arts in a Democratic Context."

Professor Hiromi Sakamoto, Department of Performing Arts, Kinki University, Japan
September 4, 2015
4:15PM - 6:15PM
Hagerty Hall, Room 180 (1775 College Road)

Date Range
2015-09-04 16:15:00 2015-09-04 18:15:00 IJS Lecture and Performance Presentation: Hiromi Sakamoto, "Introducing Tenshu Monogatari – History, Diversity and Cultural Challenges of Japanese Performing Arts in a Democratic Context." Institute for Japanese Studies presents "Introducing Tenshu Monogatari – History, Diversity and Cultural Challenges of Japanese Performing Arts in a Democratic Context."Professor Hiromi SakamotoDepartment of Performing Arts Kindai University (Kinki Daigaku), Japan  Sakamoto Flyer.pdf  Sakamoto Poster.pdf Abstract:Izumi Kyoka’s Tenshu Monogatari is positioned awkwardly between modern theater and traditional theater in Japan today.   What makes this play modern?   How traditional is the play?   Why is this play considered by some scholars "shougyou engeki" (commercial theater) rather than an artistically meaningful play?   Hiromi Sakamoto introduces his views on how theatrical works, such as Tenshu Monotagari, have been culturally and politically placed in the last hundred years in Japan.   His lecture will also present eight students from Kindai University, who will perform excerpts from Tenshu Monogatari in both Japanese and English.     Bio:Hiromi Sakamoto is a theatrical producer, director, and Professor of Performing Arts at Kindai University, Osaka, Japan.  He has produced and directed numerous stage productions, including Harlem Symphony (with veteran Broadway staff and cast), Gaijin, a 1995 collaboration with New York director Ping Chong, Jazz Borello, and a ballet stage at Godaiji Temple in Kyoto (with New York City Ballet dancers, including Benjamin Millepied).  Hiromi Sakamoto is a translator of the original play and an advisory staff for Shadowbox Live's production of Tenshu Monogatari:  A Story of Love and Honor.  Hiromi Sakamoto’s talk will introduce Tenshu Monogatari by IZUMI Kyoka (1873-1939), its history of staged productions, and its theme.  The play features the magical world of the White Heron Castle (Shirasagi-jo) in Himeji, Japan. Considered one of the masterpieces of modern play, it is filled with spiritual fantasy, Samurai fighting spectacles, human torment between honor, power and love.  Its translation to English (by Sakamoto) and adaptation to a musical version—to be staged at Shadowbox Live in downtown Columbus October 7 –25—promises to add another dimension to this modern classic.    Reception to be held 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. outside 180 Hagerty Hall. Co-sponsors:Center for Languages, Literatures and Cultures Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures East Asian Studies Center This event is sponsored in part by a U.S. Department of Education Title VI grant for The Ohio State University East Asian Studies Center.   Hagerty Hall, Room 180 (1775 College Road) America/New_York public

Institute for Japanese Studies presents "Introducing Tenshu Monogatari – History, Diversity and Cultural Challenges of Japanese Performing Arts in a Democratic Context."

Professor Hiromi Sakamoto
Department of Performing Arts 
Kindai University (Kinki Daigaku), Japan
 
 
 
Abstract:
Izumi Kyoka’s Tenshu Monogatari is positioned awkwardly between modern theater and traditional theater in Japan today.   What makes this play modern?   How traditional is the play?   Why is this play considered by some scholars "shougyou engeki" (commercial theater) rather than an artistically meaningful play?   Hiromi Sakamoto introduces his views on how theatrical works, such as Tenshu Monotagari, have been culturally and politically placed in the last hundred years in Japan.   His lecture will also present eight students from Kindai University, who will perform excerpts from Tenshu Monogatari in both Japanese and English.    
 
Bio:
Hiromi Sakamoto is a theatrical producer, director, and Professor of Performing Arts at Kindai University, Osaka, Japan.  He has produced and directed numerous stage productions, including Harlem Symphony (with veteran Broadway staff and cast), Gaijin, a 1995 collaboration with New York director Ping Chong, Jazz Borello, and a ballet stage at Godaiji Temple in Kyoto (with New York City Ballet dancers, including Benjamin Millepied).  Hiromi Sakamoto is a translator of the original play and an advisory staff for Shadowbox Live's production of Tenshu Monogatari:  A Story of Love and Honor. 
 
Hiromi Sakamoto’s talk will introduce Tenshu Monogatari by IZUMI Kyoka (1873-1939), its history of staged productions, and its theme.  The play features the magical world of the White Heron Castle (Shirasagi-jo) in Himeji, Japan. Considered one of the masterpieces of modern play, it is filled with spiritual fantasy, Samurai fighting spectacles, human torment between honor, power and love.  Its translation to English (by Sakamoto) and adaptation to a musical version—to be staged at Shadowbox Live in downtown Columbus October 7 –25—promises to add another dimension to this modern classic.   
 
Reception to be held 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. outside 180 Hagerty Hall.
 
Co-sponsors:
Center for Languages, Literatures and Cultures 
Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures 
East Asian Studies Center
 
This event is sponsored in part by a U.S. Department of Education Title VI grant for The Ohio State University East Asian Studies Center.