Nakamura Hashigo and the New Face of Kabuki in the 21st Century Vol. 2

Thursday, November 19, 2020

8:00 PM EST (5:00 PM PST)

Friday, November 20, 2020

10:00 AM JST

Hosted online via Zoom

Our friends at the Japan Society of Northern California have invited us to join them in presenting a crash-course in Kabuki 101. Please join us for a wonderful look into the thrilling world of Kabuki. This is the perfect chance to learn about the fascinating history, cultural significance, and continuing evolution of Kabuki.

You will get a special opportunity to pull back the curtain with rising star Hashigo Nakamura, as he shares an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at how Kabuki actors apply their traditional makeup. Hashigo will also be joined by Haruka Fujii, a classically trained musician with a passion for sharing Japanese culture with the world. In her exciting presentation, Haruka will guide you through the fascinating concept of “ma” (pronounced “maah” in Japanese) and share the unique creative process that sets Japanese performing arts apart from Western theatre forms.

Whether you’re completely new to the art of Kabuki or a long-time fan, this program is perfect for people of all ages with an interest in Japanese culture. We hope to see you there!

Hashigo Nakamura | Kabuki Actor

Coming from a regular family (he wasn’t born into the Kabuki family), he entered the Kabuki world in 1998 through the National Theater’s 15^th annual Kabuki Actor Trainee Program and began studying under renowned actor Hashinosuke Nakamura (now Shikan Nakamura) in 2001. He performs kabuki theaters all across Japan and is also active overseas. Furthermore, he coaches in choreography and swordplay. In 2008, Nakamura served as a model for the book “Kabuki Narikiri Taiso” (Look-Like-a-Kabuki-Actor Exercise) that incorporates the movements of Kabuki and started holding hands-on workshops around Japan that focus on lessons that can be learned from Kabuki and Japanese tradition. He has performed at corporate training classes, preschools, school lectures, and various cultural events.  Nakamura became the first brand ambassador for California Prunes in 2018. He continues to be active in a variety of fields, which include several appearances in TV commercials and YouTube videos. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KP_RrRFqjb0&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jx65PW-hhDg&feature=youtu.be

Mark Frey

Mark Frey developed a passion for Kabuki theatre and Japanese performing arts while living and working in Japan on the JET Program. Since returning to the Bay Area, he has been an active member of the San Mateo Japanese American Community Center’s Kabuki Kai. In 2010, he founded JETAANC Kabuki Club and has led classes in our community ever since to foster a love of Japanese performing arts.

When Mark is not involved with Kabuki, he is active in the JET Program Alumni Association of Northern California and Oakland-Fukuoka Sister City Association.

Michi Kaifu | CEO, Enotech Consulting

Kabuki fan, IT consultant and member of the Board of Japan Society of Northern California.  Advice on IT business strategies, investment and partnership between Silicon Valley and Japan, searching products or sales channels, market research, trend analysis and other strategic consulting. Through three books, articles and speech engagements, widely considered one of the thought leaders in technology industry in Japan.  Michi just published a new book : “Silicon Valley’s Money Making (シリコンバレーの金儲け)”.

Haruka Fujii

Multi-percussionist Haruka Fujii has won international acclaim for her interpretation of contemporary music, having commissioned and performed numerous premiere works from luminary living composers. She has appeared as a soloist with major orchestras including the San Francisco Symphony, Munich Philharmonic, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre National de Lyon, and the NHK Symphony Orchestra. Haruka is an artist of the Grammy Award-winning Silk Road Ensemble founded by Yo-Yo Ma, also a member of the historical new music group San Francisco Contemporary Players, and a founder and member of Utari Percussion Duo with her sister Rika Fujii. Her solo recording Ingredients is available at New Focus Recordings.

Please visit www.harukafujii.com for more information.

                                                                            

In cooperation with

The venue is generously provided by 

Please note that we often take photographs at events for our records and sometimes for use in public media such as Facebook and blog posts. Registering for an event generally signifies acknowledgment that your likeness may be used in these ways. If you are not comfortable with this, please let us know and we can accommodate you.