The Department of East Asian Studies at the University of Cambridge is offering members of the public the chance to see a rare performance of Japanese Vaudeville on Wednesday afternoon (January 21st).
The Department of East Asian Studies at the University of Cambridge is offering members of the public the chance to see a rare performance of Japanese Vaudeville on Wednesday afternoon (January 21st).
The one-off Performance comes in addition to the Department’s regular weekly seminar series. The regular seminars have now been running for three years on each Monday during term time.
The performers are all Japanese and are in England as part of Japan’s cultural education programme. “What prompted us to host this event is to expand our traditional educational outreach beyond normal academic talks,” Dr Barak Kushner, Lecturer in Modern Japanese History said. “We are aiming to supply something of a viewing of traditional Japanese vaudeville culture to the wider Cambridge community and the interested body of scholars.”
The performance will include Japanese vaudeville calligraphy (Yose Moji), a traditional performance of the shamisen, (a three stringed instrument played with a plectrum and traditional drum), and finally traditional Japanese juggling (Daikagura).
“Very rarely do members of Cambridge University and the wider community have the chance to view live Japanese vaudeville performances. We are excited to host such a variety of calligraphy, music and traditional juggling, it will raise an awareness of the breadth of Japanese performing arts,” Dr Kushner added. “Such acts have a long history in Japan and by experiencing them in person; people should hopefully come away with a renewed appreciation.”
“These performers are also graciously donating a selection of Japanese comedy and performing arts CD/DVDs to the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies library so that future generations of students can enjoy and learn about Japanese comedy and the cultural arts."
The Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies recently took part in the very successful Festival of Ideas run by the University and ran a series of events over the two week period. Events included a Magic Lantern show, Arabic calligraphy workshop, an introduction to East Asian film and a series of talks from our academic staff.
The performance will take place at 5pm in rooms 8 and 9 in the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, Sidgwick Avenue, Cambridge and is free to all, although those wishing to attend are advised to arrive early as spaces are limited.
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