Join us for an evening of kabuki music by kabuki musician Tanaka Denjirō VII celebrating the opening of Kabuki Kimono: The Costumes of Bandō Tamasaburō V at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford.

Kabuki theatre, added to UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2008, originated in the Edo period (1603-1868) from songs and dance performed by female artist troupes. Over time these initially somewhat frivolous shows crystallized into an art offering a visually stunning spectacle with excessively decorative costumes, flamboyant gestures and bold make-up, with all roles performed by male actors. While kabuki theatre is renowned worldwide for its visual splendour, music and sound also play an essential role in the artistic expression of this spectacular performing art.

Enjoy the sounds of ko-tsuzumi (small hand drum) and shamisen (a three stringed musical instrument) in this performance by hayashikata (kabuki musician) Tanaka Denjirō VII and shamisen player Imafuji Tatsuichirō, who perform a selection of classic kabuki compositions as well as some original works. Discover the fascinating world of kabuki music through an expert introduction and an engaging presentation of the instruments.

The event includes an opportunity for audience members to ask questions and is followed by a drinks reception. Guests can also enjoy a late-night visit to the Japan House London Gallery exhibition Ainu Stories: Contemporary Lives by the Saru River until 21:00. 

The event at Japan House coincides with the exhibition Kabuki Kimono: The Costumes of Bandō Tamasaburō V at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford. The exhibition is organized in collaboration with the Japan Foundation and supported by the Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation, The Shikanai Foundation, D-T Ltd, IndigoRose Project, British Airways, Japan Airlines, and Hugh Fraser Foundation.

Please note that filming and / or photography may take place at this event. Photos and footage of the event may then be used to promote Japan House London, helping more people to discover what we offer. If you have any concerns, please email info@japanhouselondon.uk or contact a member of the team on site.

 

About the speakers

 

Tanaka Denjirō VII

Tanaka Denjirō VII was born in 1977 into a family with strong musical traditions. His father, Kamei Tadao, a drummer of the Kazuno School of Noh Hayashi, has been designated a ‘Living National Treasure’, while his mother, Tanaka Sataro, is the ninth-generation head of the Tanaka School of Kabuki Hayashi. Tanaka Denjirō VII made his first appearance on stage at the age of three in a Noh play Tamura. Since assuming his name in 1994, Tanaka Denjirō VII has performed on a variety of prominent kabuki stages around Japan. In addition to performing, he creates music compositions for kabuki and kyōgen.

 

Imafuji Tatsuichirō

Imafuji Tatsuichirō graduated from the Department of Traditional Japanese Music at Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, majoring in shamisen. He has performed Matsu no Okina for His Majesty Emperor Akihito at Tōka Gakudō, a music hall located on the grounds of the Imperial Palace. In 2007 Imafuji Tatsuichirō performed along Ichikawa Danjūrō and Ichikawa Ebizō at the Paris Opera and accompanied Ichikawa Ebizō at Carnegie Hall in New York in 2016. In addition to performing on stage, Imafuji Tatsuichirō is passionate about sharing his knowledge and passion for shamisen music through workshops and concerts in Japan and abroad.