Rapturous reception for the kagura troupes in Europe!

TWO KAGURA TROUPES PERFORM IN EUROPE !

In recent years there has been a reappraisal of Japanese culture in terms of its relationship to nature, and this reappraisal has taken place especially in Europe and in the US. It has had its effect too in the academic world. Nothing exemplifies Japanese culture and its linkage with nature quite like the popular art of kagura, which has been performed in local communities the length and breadth of Japan for hundreds of years.

The ISF and the IFAC were joint sponsors of a highly successful tour of Europe by two kagura troupes in September 2001. (The tour also received the assistance of the Japan Foundation.) The kagura troupes were from Chichibu in Saitama prefecture and Buzen in Fukuoka. The former is designated a 'state recognized cultural treasure', and the latter a 'prefecturally recognized cultural treasure'. The troupes performed in Oslo, London and Rome, and the idea behind the tour was to deepen understanding of the key place occupied by kagura in Japanese culture and of the intimate linkage between kagura and local communities. The performances received rapturous applause in all three cities.

Oslo Norway, 2001/9/1 Munch museum (Munch museet)

London UK, 2001/9/3 Brunei Gallery Auditorium, SOAS
The University of London

Rome Italy, 2001/9/6 St. Ignazio Church (Chiesa di Sant' Ignazio)

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