Japan is famous for the legacy of its samurai warriors, immortalized in art, film, and literature. In Japan, this particular world was also embodied in an extravagant doll culture, with elaborate forms created over the centuries commemorating historical warriors as well as the spirit of the samurai.
One day, Koichi Uehara, a fourth-grader living in the suburbs of Tokyo, picks up a fossil that looks like a large stone while on his way home from school. To his surprise, he has picked up a baby Kappa (a Japanese mythical water creature), who has been asleep underground for the past 300 years. Koichi names this baby creature “Coo” and brings him to live with his family, and soon the two are inseparable friends.
Dwelling on his past glory as a prize-winning author, Ryota (Hiroshi Abe) wastes the money he makes as a private detective on gambling and can barely pay child support. After the death of his father, his aging mother (Kirin Kiki) and beautiful ex-wife (Yoko Make) seem to be moving on with their lives. Renewing contact with his initially distrusting family, Ryota struggles to take back control of his existence and to find a lasting place in the life of his young son (Taiyo Yoshizawa) – until a stormy summer night offers them a chance to truly bond again.
Kyudo is the traditional Japanese practice that uses the act of shooting the Japanese bow for the cultivation of the person and the development of physical and mental wellbeing. It is now a worldwide practice that has both cultural and sporting aspects. Kyudo places greater emphasis on the beauty of form, with accuracy being seen as an expression of correct shooting rather than “hitting for hitting sake.” Learn about the history of Kyudo and observe a demonstration of the Shaho Hassetsu, known as the Eight Stages of Shooting, explained by instructor Jade Fraundorfer.
Butoh, a type of Japanese dance theater came on the scene in 1959 and over the decades has grown beyond Japan and onto the international scene. Join us for an enlightening experience that explores the depths of Butoh’s essence. Learn about the history, philosophy, fundamental elements and aesthetic ideals of Japanese Avant-garde dance theatre Butoh and Post Butoh, followed by a demonstration by speaker Pinar Sinka.