A Record Number of Attendees at the Traditional Performing Arts Festival "Kagurazaka Street Stage, Oedo Tour 2024" The Traditional Performing Arts Festival "Kagurazaka Street Stage, Oedo Tour 2024" was held on Saturday, May 18th, and Sunday, May 19th, and it concluded successfully. The festival saw a record number of attendees, including many foreign spectators, making it a great success. I also participated as a volunteer staff member for both days and had the opportunity to experience the essence of traditional performing arts from within the organization. The Festival Featured a Variety of Traditional Performances The festival featured a variety of traditional performances, such as Noh at the Yarai Noh Theater in Kagurazaka, "Shinnai Nagashi" of the Shinnai genre, performances by Kagurazaka Geisha, and the "Johana Hikiyama Festival Iori-uta" from Johana, Nanto City in Toyama Prefecture. Street performances included modern arrangements of traditional instruments like the shakuhachi and Tsugaru shamisen, adding to the vibrant atmosphere of the festival. Notably, foreign spectators included not only residents of Japan but also travelers. Initially unsure of what to expect from the performances, many foreign spectators were seen applauding and exclaiming "Excellent!" by the end. Traditional Performing Arts Are Magnificent, But Traditional performing arts are undoubtedly magnificent and move many people, but for foreigners unfamiliar with these traditions, it can be challenging to appreciate them without experiencing them firsthand. Our company also offers traditional performing arts tours in Kagurazaka, and we constantly strive to figure out how to convey their charm to foreigners effectively. On the other hand, it is currently common for foreigners to be offered tours with "flashy actions" and "appearances only" rather than authentic traditional experiences. Examples include ninja or samurai experiences, photo sessions with maiko dressed in kimono and white makeup without proper training, and so on. We are concerned that foreigners who participate in these "inauthentic" tours may not fully understand the depth of Japanese culture, leading to a decrease in repeat visitors to Japan. We hope that foreigners will experience Japan's real traditional arts and crafts and, during their experiences, feel the depth of Japanese culture through interactions with artisans, Noh performers, and geisha. The experience will become a lifelong memory for those who encounter this depth. We also encourage travelers to carefully distinguish between authentic and inauthentic tours and contribute to preserving and continuing Japanese traditional culture. I appreciate your support.
