Sunday, July 10, 2011

Nara art galary to stage 'rakugo' event

The GM-1 art gallery in Nara is organizing a "rakugo" comic storytelling performance at 6:30 p.m. July 30.

Rakugo performer Yoneji Katsura (www.yoneji.com), an apprentice of Beicho Katsura, who is recognized as a Living National Treasure, will perform "Rakugoike" and "Sara Yashiki" from his repertoire.

In addition, there will be two other performances. The event will be in Japanese. GM-1 has been holding rakugo events twice a year over the last decade to promote Japanese culture.

Tickets are ¥1,500 in advance and ¥1,800 at the door. The venue will open at 6 p.m. and is a two-minute walk from the South Exit of Gakuen Mae Station on the Kintetsu Nara Line. Contact the gallery at (0742) 51-1980 or send an email to gm-1@kcn.ne.jp for reservations and details.

Attend a lecture on Japan and Korea in Kyoto

The International Research Center for Japanese Studies will host a lecture on Japan and Korea in Nishigyo Ward, Kyoto, on Tuesday.

Daniel Roh, a research scholar at the center and a representative of the East Asia Peace Investment Program, will give a lecture in Japanese titled "From Takeshima to the Korean Wave: The Interface of Japanese and Korean Geopolitical Mentalities."

The venue will open at 1:30 p.m. and the lecture will take place from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The event is free and no advance applications are required. There will be 180 seats.

The venue is Heartpia Kyoto, near Exit 5 of Marutamachi Station on the Karasuma subway line. For more information, contact the organizer at (075) 335-2078, or visit www.nichibun.ac.jp (in Japanese and English).

Bunraku puppet shows to take place in Osaka

A special summer bunraku puppet show will take place at the National Bunraku Theater in Chuo Ward, Osaka, from July 23 to Aug. 8.

Three shows will be held daily: the first will start at 11 a.m. and feature performances of "Shitakiri Suzume" and "Hidakagawa Iriaizakura;" the second show, "Ehon Taikouki," will begin at 2 p.m.; and the third, "Shinju Yoigoshin," will be held at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets per program are ¥4,600 for adults, ¥2,300 for students and ¥1,800 for high school students and younger. Tickets are available at the National Bunraku Theater at (0570) 07-9900, as well as through the Pia ticket agency and Lawson convenience stores.

The venue is a one-minute walk east of Exit 7 of Nihonbashi Station on the Sakaisuji or Sennichimae subway lines. Please access www.ntj.jac.go.jp/schedule/bunraku/2011/318.html?lan=e (in Japanese and English) for more information.

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