On Saturday, October 10st, we invited Mr. Kanjuro Kiritake, Living National Treasure (holder of Important Intangible Cultural Properties), to the Amagasaki Campus.2023The first special lecture on ``Bunraku'' was held for the annual public lecture on ``Japanese Culture.''The ``Japanese Culture Theory'' course offered at our university is a class that approaches Japanese culture from literary works and traditional performing arts, and considers the ``universality'' that remains inspiring even as times change. A special lecture was held.
Makoto Matsumoto Mayor of Amagasaki
The special lecture, which began with greetings from President Atsushi Hamana and Mayor Matsumoto Managasaki, was based on the fact that ``Bunraku'' itself was born in Osaka during the Edo period, and the great achievements of Monzaemon Chikamatsu, who had ties to Amagasaki City. He touched on the historical background of how it has developed to what it is today, and thoroughly conveyed its charm and depth.In addition, regarding the manipulation technique unique to Bunraku where three people operate a single puppet, we have to consider how to express the characters' personalities and feelings of joy, anger, sorrow, and joy, and how to manipulate the puppets in time with the gidayu-bushi music played by the tayu and shamisen. The lecture included demonstrations of behind-the-scenes techniques that the audience usually does not see, such as tips and tricks for performing such events.Lastly, the performers demonstrated their own performance techniques, and were able to convey Bunraku's unique worldview and expressive power in an easy-to-understand manner to students and visitors who were experiencing Bunraku for the first time.
Many visitors, including students from Kobe Yamate Girls' High School, commented, ``I was able to understand that each doll has its own personality and has many elements that draw the audience in.'' ``If I didn't have this opportunity, I would never have been able to experience Bunraku.'' We received many comments such as, ``I was impressed by how my own heart was reflected in the expressions and movements of the dolls.''From these comments, it can be seen that this lecture deepened the understanding of Bunraku for many visitors and gave them an opportunity to develop a new interest in Bunraku.
next time2The second special lecture will be held on the theme of "Rakugo."We invited Master Hitoshi Shofutei, the chairman of the Kamigata Rakugo Association,We will talk about the profound world of Rakugo in a simple and fun way..We look forward to your participation.
2nd special lecture [Rakugo]
Date and time: Saturday, December 2023, 12, 16:10-45:12
Lecturer: Hitoshi Shofutei (Chairman of the Kamigata Rakugo Association)
Tuition fee: General 1,000 yen, 500 yen for those living, working, or attending school in Amagasaki City
Application: First come first served, capacity 50 people
Location: Kansai International University Amagasaki Campus
Sponsor: Kansai International University (Sponsor: Amagasaki City)
Contact: Kansai International University Social Cooperation Division (Amagasaki Campus) TEL: 06 -6496-4103 / mail:kouza@kuins.ac.jp
Application:Click here for details and application
