Yumiko Tanaka, Etsuko Takezawa, Akiko Kubota

Friday 3 July, 7.30 pm: ‘Storytelling Arts NEXT’ First Gathering – Taking the Tradition of Narrative Storytelling music to the Next Level
@ Jimbocho Listening Room

At the invitation of Etsuko Takezawa—a koto and shamisen player and professor at the Sawai Sōkyokuin, who is actively involved in jiuta shamisen singing—we have organised a ‘Katarigei NEXT’ gathering to explore the present and future of narrative music. The event will feature the three of us: Etsuko Takezawa, Akiko Kubota—a next-generation biwa soloist making waves in the contemporary music scene—and myself.

In the first half, we will each perform a song-and-instrument piece. I will perform an experimental Joruri piece, adapted from ‘Honchō Nijūshikō: The Scene of the Fox Fire in the Back Garden’ with the assistance of AI.

In the second half, the three of us will perform pieces selected from ‘Kazuetsukoto’, a study piece for improvisation composed by Makoto Nomura for Kazue Sawai and Etsuko Takezawa.

Although the venue is small, we hope it will provide an opportunity to interact with the leading figures from various fields of narrative arts who will be joining us in the audience.
Everyone is welcome to attend, not just performers, composers, scriptwriters and researchers, but anyone with an interest in narrative music like Rokyoku,Rakugo,Koudan,Heike-biwa, Shomyo, Noh theater, Joruri,Biwa music, jiuta, Tokiwazu, Kiyomoto, Shinnai, Gidayu,Nagauta, etc. so please do come along !
? As the venue is small, please do book your place in advance.

Friday 3 July: ‘Katarigei NEXT’ Vol. 1
– Taking the Tradition of Narrative Arts to the Next Stage: We are currently recruiting performers, scriptwriters, composers, researchers and enthusiasts to help shape the future of narrative arts‼️


[Time] Doors open at 19:00, performance starts at 19:30 [Venue] Jimbocho Shichoushitsu http://shicho.org/ 1st Floor, Nishi-Kanda Building, 3-8-5 Nishi-Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

[Performers]
Etsuko Takezawa (Jiuta Shamisen/Narrative),
Akiko Kubota (Biwa/Narrative),
Yumiko Tanaka (Gidayu Shamisen / Narrative)


【Admission】
Advance booking: 3,500 yen; On the day: 4,000 yen; Under 25: 2,500 yen
(Plus 500 yen for one drink)



[Programme]
⚫︎ Traditional Japanese Rakugo ‘Gama no Abura’ (Lyrics by Hirohisa Yoshikawa, Music by Seihō Kineya) — Performed by Etsuko Takezawa
⚫︎ Yumiko Tanaka (with AI assistance) Experimental Jōruri ‘The Scene of the Single Fire in the Back Garden’ — Performed by Yumiko Tanaka

⚫︎Original story by Masako Imai, music by Nobuko Taketsu: ‘Knee Pillow’ — Performed by Akiko Kubota

⚫︎Composed by Makoto Nomura: From ‘Kazuetsukoto’. An experiment by three performers


[Enquiries] katarigei.next@gmail.com


[Bookings] Email the address above or use the booking form
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSelTWmL-2WKFi5PndibFTbuKJEPiIgswzekAbi_6-5OueY3ew/viewform

Organised by: Katari-gei NEXT Executive Committee
In cooperation with: Mayusa

#Narrativemusic
#Storytelling
#Newjoruri
#AI
#Rakugo
#Recitation
#Jiutashamisen
#Gidayushamisen
#Biwa
#Singingandplaying
#Etsukotakezawa
#Akikokubota
#Yumikotanaka