Sunday, July 27, 2008

Sanskrit show to be held in Nakagyo Ward

Kutiyattam, a form of Sanskrit theater traditionally performed in the state of Kerala, India, will be staged in Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, on Aug. 5 and 6.

About 10 Kutiyattam performers, in addition to director Gopal Venu, will come from Kerala to perform on a temporary stage at Kondaya Genbee, a wholesale "obi" (kimono sash) seller with a history of more than 270 years.

The Sanskrit play with more than 1,000 years of history is recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2001.

The venue will open at 7 p.m. on both days. Tickets are ¥3,000 in advance and ¥3,500 at the door.

The venue is a three-minute walk from Exit 6 of Karasuma Oike Station on the Karasuma subway or Tozai lines.

For tickets and more information, contact the organizer, the Kutiyattam Kyoto Operation Office, at (075) 253-1456 between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m., except on Wednesdays, or e-mail info@kuti-kyoto.org

Additional details can be found at kuti-kyoto.org in English and Japanese.

Kinki University facility links English, activities

Kinki University will open an English-language learning facility called Eigo Mura E-Cube to students in high school and above from Aug. 1 to 8 and from Aug. 25 to Sept. 12.

Since opening in November 2006, Eigo Mura E-Cube has been providing unique opportunities for Kinki University students to learn English while doing various activities — such as sports, dancing, painting, cooking and playing music — with native speakers of English.

At the facility's cafeteria, visitors will get a chance to order food and beverages in English.

Eigo Mura E-Cube is in the main campus of Kinki University, which is a 10-minute walk from Nagase Station on the Kintetsu Osaka Line.

The facility is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. Activities will be held at 1 p.m. No admission fee or reservation is required.

For more information, access the facility's Web site at ccpc01.cc.kindai.ac.jp/e-cube

Volunteers to illuminate Osaka Castle by lantern

Osaka Castle will be illuminated by lanterns set up by volunteers from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

The volunteers will set up the candle lanterns in Osaka Castle Park, which surrounds the castle. Admission is free.

The venue is about a 20-minute walk from Exit 1-B of Tanimachi 4-chome Station on the Tanimachi subway line, or Osaka Jo Koen Station on the JR Osaka Loop Line.

For more information, contact the organizer at (06) 6210-5532. For an access map, visit the Osaka Castle's Web site at www.osakacastle.net/english

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