SENJIN-NARAKU
ITAMI Jun 2-4
It is said: 'Hell has no fury like a woman's scorn'. This dramatic
love story sets out to show the anger and sad-ness women feel
when a love affair goes wrong and they are left broken-hearted.
Senjin can be translated as, deep and naraku, hell. Many women
dream of finding the right man, falling in love and living happily
ever after, even women who ply their trade at night like the main
character in this drama. Left broken-hearted she turns into a
devil. For this transfor-mation, a Noh devil mask is worn for
a poignant end to this sensational drama by the Japanese company,
Kuu. Music is played during the drama, only the haunting melody
of the traditional Japanese flute, the shinoboe is live. Saio
Yumeno and Yoko Uejima play the principle roles.
AI HALL, Itami
Time: 2nd at 7:30pm; 3rd at 3pm & 7pm; 4th at 2:30pm &
6pm
Getting there: JR line, Itami stn
Admission: ¥2,800-¥3,500
Tel: 072-782-2000
Handicraft Market
KYOTO Jun 15
Whether you are looking for a colourful handicraft
or unusual souvenir you are bound to find it here in this delightful
market where everything on sale is hand- made, many by the vendors
themselves. Exquisite cards, wooden boxes and trays, pottery,
jewellery and clothing are just some of the handicrafts to choose
from. Held once a month in the grounds of this temple, it is a
great place to meet crafts people and support what they are doing
or simply absorb the relaxing atmosphere by enjoying Japanese
tea and homemade cake.
Attempts at bargaining may not be successful unless a large purchase
is made. Still, a smile and a polite, 'what's the best price you
can give me?', won't do any harm.
Chion-ji Temple, Kyoto
Time: 9am-4pm Cancelled if heavy rain
Getting there: City bus no. 206 to Hyakuman-ben
Tel: 075-314-2159
Kodo — Amaterasu
KYOTO Jun 9-25
According to legend, when angered by the unruly
behaviour of the storm god Susanoo, the sun goddess Amaterasu
retreated into a cave and the world was plunged into dark-ness.
Finally lured out of the cave by a dance, Amaterasu was persuaded
to return to the sky and light up the heavens.
This creative collaborative project, two years in the making between
world-renowned Kabuki luminary, Tamasaburo Bando and Kodo, the
elite taiko drumming group in Japan, marks the group's 25th anniversary.
Kodo members will not simply be performers, but also actors telling
a story, and figures in a mythological narrative that spins a
tale of destruction, creation and the path toward harmony.
Kodo president Takao Aoki once said that he would like the group
to continue and celebrate its 50th and 100th anniversaries. With
such creative projects and artistic dedi-cation, the group will
surely be around for the next 25 years and more.
Kyoto Shijo Minamiza Theatre
Time: 1pm (Fridays at 6pm). Closed on 19th
Getting there: Keihan line, Shijo stn
Admission: ¥5,000-¥14,000
Tel: 075-561-1155
Hydrangea Viewing/Lotus viewing
OSAKA Late Jun - July
Located in Nagai park, home of the Natural History
Museum and wave pool, this garden boasts a flower field and a
primeval forest. The hydrangea and lotus are in full bloom during
the rainy season and both can be enjoyed here as well as the 550
species of plants that bloom vigorously in the open without the
protection of a greenhouse. Both flowers are associated with Buddhism.
Buddha is often portrayed sitting on the lotus flower and the
different hues of the hydrangea is said to reflect the metamorphosis
of Jizo-bosatsu and the transience of life.
Municipal Nagai Botanical Garden
Time: 9:30am-4:30pm
Getting there: Subway Midosuji line, Nagai stn
Admission: ¥200. Children free
Tel: 06-6696-7117
Events compiled by Mylene Oishi
Kansai Event Listings June
| Jun 1, 2
Takigi Noh
Translates to, Noh by torchlight. This annual Takigi Noh
performed outdoors by the light of torches and bonfires
is amazingly beautiful and impressive with the shrine and
mountain as a backdrop.
Heian-jingu Shrine, Kyoto
Time: 5:30pm
Getting there: no. 5 bus to Kyoto-kaikan & Bijutsukan-mae
Admission: ¥2,500 (¥3,300 at the door)
Tel: 075-771-6114
June
Biwako Hall Programme
For the month of June, this hall on the shores of Lake Biwa
offers an international programme of top performers.
Red Priest UK's outrageously different baroque ensemble.
06/3: Four Seasons 3pm ¥4,000
Teatro Comunale di Bologna Opera company from Northern Italy
06/17: Il Trovatore 3pm ¥51,000 & ¥58,000
06/18: Andre Chenier 3pm ¥51,000 &¥58,000
Biwako Ensemble
06/24: Music from Gershwin to Jerome Kern 2pm ¥3,000
(Under 25yrs, ¥1,500)
Nederlands Dans Theater (NDTI) Dutch dance &
drama company
06/25: Toss of the Dice — Walking Mad & Signing
Off 4pm ¥5,000/¥7,000/¥9,000
Biwako Hall, Shiga
Getting there: Otsu stn
Tel: 077-523-7136
Jun 4
Barefoot Concert
An event to promote environmental conservation through various
activities such as cleaning up the beach, a beach marathon
and concerts. The trash you pick up on the beach is your
admission ticket to the concert.
Kotobiki-hama Beach, Kyotango, Kyoto
Time: From morning
Getting there: Miyazu line, Amino stn
Tel: 0772-69-0713
Jun 6-11
Toshihisa Doi's Cooking World
The theme is Challenge. The event will provide opportunities
for participants not only to sample food, but to demon-strate
how to cook and sell what they make. Organized by the Cooking
World Executive Committee.
INTEX Osaka
Time: 10am-5:30pm. (on 11th till 4pm)
Getting there: Subway Chuo line, Cosmos Square stn
Admission: ¥1,200. Free for the handi-capped and primary
school children
Tel: 06-6445-0858
Jun 14
Rice Planting Ceremony
Known in Japanese as, Sumiyoshi O-taue Shinji. Ta-ue, means
to transplant rice shoots to the rice paddy. Held to pray
for a bountiful harvest of rice. Women clad in a traditional
farming costume plant rice seedlings, singing rice-planting
songs to the accompaniment of drums and flutes, played by
men clad in Yukata.
Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine, Osaka
Time: From 1pm
Getting there: Nankai Main line, Sumiyoshi Taisha stn
Admission: ¥1,000
Tel: 06-6774-3077
Jun 17
El Tango
Jose & Laura are the main dancers with Anibal Arias
on guitar and Osvaldo Montes on the bandoneon. Jesus Hidalgo
will sing the songs. Together, they create the exciting,
passionate atmosphere of the Argentine tango.
The Symphony Hall, Osaka
Time: 2pm
Getting there: JR line, Fukushima stn
Admission: ¥1,000-¥4,000
Tel: 06-6453-6000
Jun 17 & 18
Belly dance workshops & belly dance show party
By famous belly dancer and master Teacher Sadia. Sponsored
by Lisa Language School & Culture Saloon.
Time: Three workshops on 17th from 11:00am-7:00pm. Show
party on 18th at 6:30pm-8:30pm
Lisa Language School, Nakatsu, Umeda
Getting there: 1 min walk from Subway Midosuji Line, Nakatsu
stn.
Email: lisa@axisweb.co.jp
Tel: 06-6377-0628
Jun 18
In celebration of Mozart
If Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart were still alive he would be
250 years old. In celebration of this, throughout this year,
in many parts of the world Mozart's music is being played.
Pianist, Ingrid Haebler from Vienna will perform an All
Mozart Program to include 12 variations on 'Ah, vous dirai-je,
mamam' in C major K.265.
Hyogo Performing Arts Center
Time: 2pm
Getting there: Hankyu line, Nishinomiya Kitaguchi stn
Admission: ¥2,000-¥5,000
Tel: 0798-68-0255
Jun 25
Birthday of Sugawara Michizane
Also known as Kanko Seitan-sai. Born in Kyoto on this day,
Michizane is known and worshipped as a god of literature
in Japan. Tea is served free of charge to all visitors on
this day. Admission free.
Domyoji Temmangu shrine
Time: 9am-5pm
Getting there: Kintetsu Minami-Osaka line, Domyoji stn
Tel: 0729-53-2525
Jun 30
Tea Time Concert
Singing together while enjoying tea and cake is the main
purpose of this event. A group of singers together with
professional soprano singer, Kayoko Yamao, will sing many
songs to include a number by Schubert. For the finale, Yamao
will sing solo.
Alpen Roze Bakery Restaurant, Nara
Time: 3pm-4:30pm
Getting there: Kintetsu Gakuen-Mae
Admission: ¥1,100 (including tea + cake)
Tel: 0742-44-6644
Jun 30, Jul 1
Chinowa Kuguri Shinji
One of the most popular Shinto ceremo- nies. People walk
through a two-metre diameter ring made of kaya, pampas like
weed. This ceremony, dating back to the Edo Period, is said
to purge the evil to which people are exposed to unconsciously
in their daily lives and prays for peaceful days till the
end of the year. Free admission.
Ibaraki Jinja shrine, Osaka
Time: 2pm
Getting there: JR line, Ibaraki-shi stn
Tel: 06-6774-3077
Late June to early July
Quiz Rally in the Forest
A special guided tour of the park and a quiz rally has been
specially designed to take place during the hydrangea season.
The hydrangea is the symbol flower of Kobe.
Kobe Municipal Arboretum
Time: 9am-4:30pm
Getting there: Kobe railway, Kita-Suzurandai stn, then free
shuttle bus
Admission: Adult ¥300. Child ¥200. Free for handicapped
and young children
Tel: 078-591-0253
Until Oct 8
Yusuzumi no Ochakai
This is a Japanese tea reception. The price includes the
tea ceremony, a visit to the gardens at Kodaiji and Entokuin
plus entry to the Sho Museum and a light meal. Takes place
three days a week, on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Kodai-ji Temple.
Time: From 4pm
Getting there: no. 206 bus to Higashi-yama-yasui
Admission: ¥5,500 (Reservation reuired)
Tel: 075-561-9966
Until Nov
Bird's Eye View of Kobe
On Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, it is possible
to go to the top of the world's longest suspension bridge,
the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge that connects Kobe on the mainland
with Awaji Island. Experience a unique view from 300m up.
On a clear day the new Kobe airport can be seen. Reservation
in advance by fax or the internet.
Akashi Kaikyo Bridge — Bridge World
Time: Two sessions, 9:45am & 1:45pm
Getting there: JR line, Maiko stn
Admission: Adult ¥2,100, Child ¥1,500
Tel: 078-784-3396
www.akbec.jp/bridge_kakunin.php
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