■ A guide to Japanese performers at the 2016 Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Here is a roundup of events by Japanese performers or Japan-related performances at this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe, held in Edinburgh from August 5th to 29th. The list has been compiled from this year's Fringe Programme; however it may not be fully comprehensive.
With such a wide variety of different genres, we hope you can find something that interests you.
MUSIC
Japan’s Elegant Breeze
Japan's Elegant Breeze proudly presents an insight into the music and culture of Japan. The culmination of four musicians from the Tokyo University of Arts, one of the greatest music environments in Japan, will bring classic, contemporary Japan, friendship and our original composed music all rolled into one, wearing traditional kimonos. Experience the depth and wideness of music with traditional Japanese instruments underpinned by more than 1000 years of tradition. Feel the Japanese elegant breeze resonate through your body. This new Japanese sound will unite us all as one.
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/japan-s-elegant-breeze
Taiwan Season: Sounds of Taiwan
Three expert musicians from France, Japan and Taiwan blend the sounds of three of the world’s most distinctive string instruments: erhu, sitar and cello. Those who embark upon this unique musical journey will sample the enticing aural flavours of several cultures. Wooonta Trio is a band your ears simply cannot afford to miss!
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/taiwan-season-sounds-of-taiwan
ONE – The Man Chosen By the Spirit of the Japanese Drum
Powerful like a dragon, supple like a dancer. Kensaku Satou is an astonishing and remarkable Taiko drummer from Japan. He has performed for the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France and toured in different countries in Europe, Africa and the USA. Most of his works are based on Japanese mythology and represent the old Japanese spirituality. He presents his complete solo show especially for Fringe. His explosive beats and divine performance will show you totally a new universe.
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/one-the-man-chosen-by-the-spirit-of-the-japanese-drum
The Power of Japanese Drums
Japanese taiko drumming troupe, Samurai Drum IKKI, are Edinburgh Festival Fringe veterans, back for their fourth consecutive year with a world premiere titled, The Power of Japanese Drums. These very talented, ambitious young percussionists have created emotional groove and beats through many years of very rigorous training. ‘Challenge your limits’ is always on their minds. Feel this IKKI beat like you have never felt it before.
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/power-of-japanese-drums
Super-cussion
We are the performance group of the Japanese Drum HIBIKI. Hibiki means ensemble in Japanese, and we want you to experience a unique percussive panorama of beat and rhythm created by an ensemble of drummers. Our main reason to keep playing the Japanese drum is making worlds better with our hibiki, and we are sure that if you feel our music even just once, you will understand what hibiki really means. So come and enjoy our music, and let this ensemble surprise you.
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/super-cussion
Masterpieces for Piano Four Hands
The Japanese piano duo returns to the Fringe with a programme of works ranging from classical pieces of Mozart, Schubert and Rachmaninov to Alexander Rosenblatt's visually vibrant Concertino on Two Russian Themes.
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/masterpieces-for-piano-four-hands
Akiko Okamoto in Concert
It would be hard to find a piano recital in this year's festivals better than those by this Japanese-born international soloist. Come and hear her perform in a delightful series of two concerts. 'Piano playing at its best' (EdinburghGuide.com).
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/akiko-okamoto-in-concert
MUSICALS AND OPERA
The Mikado
Following the tremendous success of last year’s production of The Pirates of Penzance, Mermaids Performing Arts Fund and St Andrews Gilbert and Sullivan Society return to the Fringe with The Mikado, Gilbert and Sullivan’s most popular comic opera. The Mikado is a fantastically funny satire on Britain, set in Japan. Nanki-Poo is in love with Yum-Yum. However, her guardian Ko-Ko, the Lord High Executioner of Titipu, has eyes on her himself. Can true love triumph? And what will happen when an execution is demanded? With Gilbert's witty one-liners and Sullivan's catchy tunes – join us to find out!
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/mikado-1
DANCE, PHYSICAL THEATRE and CIRCUS
This is Japanese Iki!
This is Japanese Iki! What do you get when you combine breathtaking projection dance, inspired by karate and hip hop, with hilarious traditional Japanese storytelling? You get Japanese Iki, of course… Seeing is disbelieving! Original projection dancer Katsumi Sakakura stars with Japanese Rakugo traditional comic storyteller Katsura Sunshine for an unforgettable East meets West show, which will have your jaw dropping, when you’re not laughing your head off. Both have spent years travelling around the world with their respective art forms, coming together for the first time here in Edinburgh. A premiere not to be missed!
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/this-is-japanese-iki
Green Tea and Zen Baka
A mindfulness start to your day. A refreshing cup of green tea in the garden and a mesmerising zen-inspired performance by minimal artist David Johnstone. This visual haiku draws on ideas from Japanese Butoh, Zen sages, and John Cage, with a gentle hint of mime and humour. A quietly understated insight into the daydreaming mind of a Zen fool, Baka. ‘Surprisingly touching... blissfully calm’ (Scotsman). ‘Movement beautifully blends with meditation in this memorably tranquil work... quietly satisfying’ (Stage). ‘A delightful, pleasing contrast to the frenzy of the Fringe’ (Skinny).
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/green-tea-and-zen-baka
UTO
Our show UTO represents festivals of O-daiko (big drums) and cultures of each season in Uto city in Kumamoto prefecture. This city is best known for its largest number of O-daiko in the world. UTO is mixed stillness and dynamics which bring possibilities of new taiko expressions. It's composed by Dai Fujikura, an international composer living in London, and will be shown for the first time at the Fringe.
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on#q=uto
THEATRE
Katsura Sunshine: Rakugo!
Rakugo. A 400-year-old tradition of Japanese comic storytelling, every bit as hilarious today as it ever was – and in English! Don’t miss the Edinburgh stop of Sunshine’s Rakugo World Tour, now in its third year and approaching 20 countries! Come for an hour of laughter and leave with a piece of Japan in your heart! 'A raconteur extraordinaire. One of a kind' (Japan Times).
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/katsura-sunshine-rakugo
Tent
New contemporary theatre from Japan depicts the struggles anyone can experience despite their differences. Tent portrays our complex feelings about being an outsider in various ways. Set deep in the mountains, getting lost leads to camping overnight in a tent. When words come out and bring conversations, reality starts breathing. One question will arise. What have you been hiding? www.mycomplex.jp
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/tent
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