Christianity In Japan & A Noh Theater Prayer For Peace

Scenes from Holy Mother in Nagasaki .  A woman in a white mask emerges on stage and slowly glides down a narrow path. Clad in a v…

The Mystery Of Merii of Hama And The Birth Of 'Yokohama Rosa'

Merii of Hama on the streets of Yokohama. Circa 1990. "W hat? What’s my name? I’ve long forgotten my real name. But people c…

The Story of Tokyo Rose

A multitude of Tokyo Roses in  Miwa Yanagi's   Zero Hour . (c) Naoshi Hatori  Commemorating the 70th anniversary of the end …

Three String Theory: Japan's Shamisen Threads Culture and History

Shamisen building circa 1909. Via .  The warmth of a calming resonance slowly spreads to each corner of the room. A shrill tappin…

Taiko Drumming: The Whole Body Pulse of Japan's Resounding 'Heartbeat'

Does Kodo have a workout video? Image  via . Learning an instrument is a physical challenge as much as a musical one, from proper…

A Play Is Born: 'Our Planet' Emerges From Beyond The Fourth Wall

Japan Society's reflecting pool: garnering primordial oohs since 1971. An actor steps into the reflecting pool near the back …

60 And Sitting Pretty: The 'Kanreki' Rebirth

Kitty in vestments. Via . It’s been said that old age is a kind of second childhood. How about a second spring? Japanese traditio…

Taiko Vs. Shamisen: Ancient Instruments Intertwine In Performance First

Kenny Endo (left) rehearses with Agatsuma before the big concert. Tonight two masters of modernizing ancient Japanese instruments…