Consulate General of Japan to Host Two Free Performances of “Iwami Kagura”
Riveting dramatic interpretation of ancient Japanese myths

  • Saturday, September 15, 2012 at 7:00 pm

    14th Street Playhouse
    173 14th Street NE, Atlanta, GA
    Seating is first-come first-served

  • Sunday, September 16, 2012 at 2:00 pm

    Center for Puppetry Arts
    1404 Spring Street NW, Atlanta, GA
    RSVP is required and can be made by registering at www.puppet.org/kagura
    RSVP registration has been closed.


Click Here to See the Event Poster

Iwami Kagura (Orochi)
Iwami Kagura (Orochi)
 
In recognition of the support the people of Atlanta gave to the people of Tohoku in their time of need, and in support of the continued recovery of the Tohoku region, this September the Consulate General of Japan will present two free performances of Iwami Kagura, a dynamic form of ancient Japanese dance renowned for its splendid costumes, amazing special effects, pulsating drum rhythms, and melodic flute. The first performance will be Saturday, September 15, 2012 at 7:00 pm at the 14th Street Playhouse (173 14th Street NE, Atlanta, GA). Seating is on a first-come first-served basis. The second performance, which will be followed by a workshop, will be on Sunday, September 16, 2012 at 2:00 pm at the Center for Puppetry Arts (1404 Spring Street NW, Atlanta, GA). RSVP is required and can be made by registering at www.puppet.org/kagura. These performances are suited for all ages.
Iwami Kagura (Orochi)
Iwami Kagura (Orochi)
 
This tour of Iwami Kagura consists of a group of thirteen performers and musicians from the Iwami Kagura Shinwa-Kai in Masuda City, Shimane Prefecture. Formed in 1975, the Shinwa-kai holds many performances throughout the year and is well respected for its mastery of this ancient, culturally unique art.
Iwami Kagura (Orochi)
Iwami Kagura (Orochi)
 
The performance on Saturday, September 15 will consist of two dances. The first, which is approximately 20 minutes in length, is a dance praising the virtues of Ebisu, the patron god of fishermen and businessmen and Daikoku, the god of wealth. This auspicious dance is often performed at weddings or well-wishing ceremonies. The dance includes a humorous scene of Ebisu fishing. The fishing rod he uses symbolizes a person’s “straight” (good) heart; the fishing line, a long life, the hook, bountiful treasure; and the sea bream is a pun on the Japanese word for “congratulations.”
Iwami Kagura (Ebisu)
Iwami Kagura (Ebisu)
 

The second performance, Orochi (Serpent), which is approximately 40 minutes in length, tells the story of one of Japan’s oldest myths. The god Susanowo-no-mikoto, who has been expelled from the High Plain of Heaven, finds a pair of chopsticks floating in the Hi River, and follows it upstream, where he finds an old couple and young woman crying on the river bank. They explain that every year a giant eight-headed serpent living deep in the mountains comes to carry off one of their daughters. Seven daughters had already been swallowed up, and they are crying because tonight is the night the serpent will come and attack their eighth and last daughter, Princess Kushinada. Susanowo-no-mikoto takes pity on them, and agrees to save their daughter and slay the serpent. At the end of a fierce fight, a sword comes forth from the slain serpent’s tail. Susanowo-no-mikoto presents it to his sister, the goddess Amaterasu-ômikami. He then marries Princess Kushinada.


The performance on Sunday, September 16 will consist of one performance of Orochi followed by a workshop.


This tour of “Iwami Kagura” is sponsored by the Japan Foundation and the Consulate General of Japan and supported by the Center for Puppetry Arts. For more information contact the Consulate at 404-240-4300 or info@aa.mofa.go.jp.


 

See YouTube Video of Iwami Kagura Here:


 

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