Tokyo Comes to Toronto

A little bird told me that Dr. Hiroshi Kurushima will be at the Japan Foundation in Toronto next week to deliver a lecture titled "Imagining Samurai: A Look at Life through Art of the Edo Period." Dr. Kurushima will be travelling from the National Museum of Japanese History located in Sakura, Chiba. Since this museum was visible from the apartment I once lived in, I feel an extra twinge of regret that I likely won't be able to attend the lecture myself. If you are interested and able to attend, make sure that you register at the following link.

According to the Japan Foundation website, "[t]his lecture offers an opportunity to think about the reality of Bushi and Samurai by examining some prominent Japanese art works from that era." Based on what I remember from previous visits to the NMJH, one of its real strengths was how it showcased the daily lives of Japanese from the earliest times, so no doubt Dr. Kurushima will have a number of interesting insights to share regarding the quotidian experience of samurai during peace time.

I did a little more investigation on the Japan Foundation site and discovered that February promises to be a banner month for kabuki fans in Toronto. While live kabuki remains out of reach for now, on February 9 and 10 we're getting the next best thing--high definition presentations of four recent kabuki performances in six channel sound at the TIFF Bell Lightbox theatre. At $15-20 a ticket depending on the length of the performance, it's a bargain considering what a flight to Japan would cost. Tickets are available for on-line order here.

If you are new to kabuki and reluctant to try it, there is also a lecture series introducing kabuki being conducted January 23, 31, and February 5. With the colder weather of winter upon us, it's often tempting to hide indoors until spring. Fortunately, we have this stimulating series of events being conducted by the Japan Foundation to tempt us outside. Here's hoping for a great turnout so that we can experience more of the same in the near future.

Related Link:

Nagauta: Long Songs Worth Your Time reviews a series of kabuki recordings in case you can't make it to a live or filmed performance.