The 18th Tokyo Dai Takigi Noh (2)

 Prior to the programs, Manjiro Tatsumi, a Hosho School shite-kata (lead actor) and a designated Important Intangible Cultural Property, told the audience how to best enjoy noh and what each performance was about. He said, “Noh is the aesthetics of subtraction,” meaning that the simplicity in noh’s stage sets and props as well as noh actors’ movements and dialogues is a result of pursuing minimalistic beauty. He said, “The audience is expected to add their own imagination to what they see on the stage,” emphasizing that it is the power of the audience that makes a small and empty stage of noh an infinite space.

He added that “For over a thousand years, noh theater has been consistently expressing a prayer for peace.”

Tatsumi’s explanation about the programs helped the audience understand the stories even though the actors speak in ancient Japanese.

                                              Dr.Haruhisa Handa performs at the 18th Dai 

                                                  Takigi Noh(Noh by Firelight) in Sep.2018. 

                                                  He could not perform at this year's event due to

                                                   an injury.

                                                   @TTJ TACHIBANA PUBLISHING 

The 18th Tokyo Dai Takigi Noh(1)

　 On the evening of October 16, the 18^th Tokyo Dai Takigi Noh was held at the Citizen’s Plaza located in front of Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. The event was started in 1998 by the International Foundation for Arts and Culture (IFAC) as a rare opportunity for people to enjoy the art performed by noh professionals free of charge. Except for 2011, the year of the Great East Japan Earthquake, and between 2015 and 2017 while the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building underwent repairs, the event had been held every year until 2018. This is the first time for the performance since the beginning of infection of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 IFAC promotes arts, culture and education through supporting and funding various projects internationally. It was founded by Dr.Haruhisa Handa, also known as Toshu Fukami, who is a philanthropist, business leader, calligrapher, painter and operatic baritone, as well as noh actor of the Hosho School and member of Nogaku Performers’ Association. Dr.Handa studied noh at Doshisha University’s Hosho Noh society under the tutelage of Nihei Kashiwabara and Takashi Tatsumi. This time, the event was supported by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Cultural Affairs agency.  

 He was supposed to perform the leading role of “Sagi” (“The Heron”), one of the three performances at this year’s event. However, the program was replaced by a different piece because of his recent knee injury.

 

                              Manjiro Tatsumi plays Ryujin during "Kasuga Ryujin"

                                                                @TTJ TACHIBANA PUBLISHING 

The opera "Shotoku Taishi" (3)

 

The first act began with a battle scene, followed by a story of the politics of power centered around aristocratic politician Soga no Umako performed by Ryoichi Shimizu. Prince Shotoku found the situation wrong and revealed his resolution to create an ideal nation based on respect for Buddha and order, to his wife Tojiko no Iratsume, performed by soprano Hiroko Onuki, and Hata no Kawakatsu, performed by baritone Koya Muramatsu.

 

The second act illustrated how the prince put in place various policies based on the principles of equality, peace and global perspective under the rule of Empress Suiko.

The prince declares to Tojiko, “I have a dream. I want to make this country warless and peaceful.”

It also shows how Soga no Umako began to see the prince as a political rival and a threat, and how Tojiko, a daughter of Soga no Umako, was torn between her father and her husband.

 

The third act portrayed how the prince is grieving the loss of his wife and suffering from a loss of confidence when he receives salvation from Guze Kannon, a deity of mercy, and encouragement from his supporters. The Kannon performed a noh dance together with Prince Shotoku. Finally, in the climax, the prince renews his commitment to making an ideal nation with greater confidence and strength…

 

The performance ended with warm applause from the audience, and the applause never seemed to stop.

 

Dr.Handa left a comment in the program saying that this opera is asking the people of today’s Japan how they should respond to the message left by Prince Shotoku 1400 years ago at a time when a globalized Japan is facing numerous challenges.    

                 The climax scene of the opera 

　　                                                                   　＠TTJ TACHIBANA PUBLISHING

The opera "Shotoku Taishi" (2)

 

The opera incorporated not only ballet but also noh performances to make entire work deeper and more elegant. The performances were directed and choreographed by Tokyo City Ballet Director Nobuyoshi Nakajima and Manjiro Tatsumi, a noh performer of Hosho school. The music was composed by three people including Tomiko Kojiba, and it was beautifully played by the Tokyo City Philharmonic Orchestra.  

 

Dr.Handa said, “We wanted to take a fresh look at Prince Shotoku without deifying him and as a realistic human being who held onto his ideals despite various sufferings and setbacks.” This perspective was even more remarkable for this year’s performance. Major revisions was made to the original script to make it more historically accurate yet dynamic, with more focus on the prince’s Buddhist side. For this reason, Hata no Kawakatsu, who is believed to have been a close secretary to the prince, was inserted into the new script. The music was renewed well with the addition of arias and duets.

　　Tojiko no Iratsume, played by Hiroko Onuki (right), and Prince Shotoku, played by Toshu Fukami

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　＠TTJ TACHIBANA PUBLISHING

The opera "Shotoku Taishi" (1)

 

 The TAF (the Tokyo Art Foundation) held an opera “Shotoku Taishi”(“Prince Shotoku”) at the National Theatre in Tokyo on September 16 and 18. The performance was hosted by TAF in cooperation with the IFAC(The International Foundation for Art and Culture).

 The “Shotoku Taishi” was first performed in 2002, and it was the second performance for the first time in two decades to commemorate the 1400^th year since the death of Prince Shotoku.

 Shotoku, also known as Prince Umayado, was a legendary regent of the Asuka Period (552-645). He is well known to have contributed to establishing the nation’s social system and spreading Buddhism in Japan. The opera dramatized an important part of his life when he decided to dedicate himself to the creation of an ideal nation.

 The role of Shotoku Taishi was plaed by Toshu Fukami, also known as Dr.Haruhisa Handa who is an operatic baritone, philanthropist, business leader, calligrapher, painter and noh performer. He was also the chief producer of the entire event.

Hata no Kawakatsu, played by Koya Muramatsu (left), and Prince Shotoku, played by Toshu Fukami

 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　＠TTJ TACHIBANA PUBLISHING

The 6th Global Opinion Leaders Summit (6)

  The second panel's main issue was the nationalism. Former Prime Minister of New Zealand John Key provided a comment on the issue, joined by panelists including Badr, professor Kazuto Suzuki of the University of Tokyo, Ito and House of Representatives member Keichiro Asao. 

  The focus of the final panel of the day was on Japan's role in global peace and security efforts, featuring the opinions of Rae and Morrison, and including the expertise of Chiaki Akimoto, associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Securityy Studies, House of Councilors member Rui Matsukawa, Kiuchi and Dr.Handa.

  Finally, Dr.Handa closed the sessions, thanking all the speakers for their insight. He pointed out the importence of plotting a clear path for Japan's future, and the need to balance influence from countries such as the United States, and bolster democracy throughout the world. 

  Former Taoiseach of Ireland Enda Kenny (left), former Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper (second from left), former Ukraine Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom David Cameron pose at the summit. 

                                                                       @TTJ TACHIBANA PUBLISHING

   

The 6th Global Opinion Leaders Summit (5)

   The next day, the WSD and JRIF held a special symposium for a select audience of 200 people at the Hotel New Otani, Tokyo. The discussions centered on one of the greatest global issues today, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and its far-reaching consequences.

  Yulia Timoshenko, Ukraine's former Prime Minister started her speech by thanking Japan and its people for the steadfast support and outpouring of generosity toward her country. She mentioned how Japan and South Korea's Invasion stand out in Asia, sternly noting, "It is a great puzzlement to us in Ukraine to see many Asian leaders averting their eyes from the fact that Russia invaded our country, and that many of them even embrace the propaganda...of the invader. Russia's war on Ukraine...is a war of aggression, a war for territorial conquest aimed against all countries of the free world."

  Harper, Nemyria, the University of Tsukuba's Higashino, Dr.Handa and People's Deputy of Ukraine Serhiy Vlasenko took part in the symposium. 

     Former Ukraine Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko thanks Japan on July 29 for supporting Ukraine. 

                                                              @TTJ TACHIBANA PUBLISHING

The 6th Global Opinion Leaders Summit (4)

  The final discussion of the day focused on a theme dear to Abe's heart, that is, the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, a strategic cooperation pact comprising Australia, India, Japan and the United States. The main speaker was former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, and panelists were First Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Parliament of Ukraine Hryhoriy Nemyria, professor Atsuko Higashino of the University of Tsukuba and Meiji University's Ito.

  Morrison noted that when facing pressure from the People's Republic of China, the Indo-Pacific region "must not embrace the path of acquiescence in the face of coercion. Rather we must practically insist on engagement whthin the clear and established rules, with accountability and transparency."

  Former Prime Minister of the Republic of Ireland Enda Kenny closed the sessions, and Dr.Handa made the final remarks, cracking a few clever jokes to lighten the mood after the serious discussions of the day.

The 6th Global Opinion Leaders Summit (3)

  The second panel was led by David Cameron, former prime minister of the United Kingdom. He expressed his condolences on the shocking passing away of Abe and reminded attendees through a quote from the same that, even with the serious challenges the world is facing, "hope is the most important factor for growth."

  The discussion ranged across the many issues facing Indo-Pacific region, such as globalization and populism and Putin's increased aggression. It benefited from the insights of the luxurious cast, including Ukraine's former Prime Minister Yulia Timoshenko, former Ambassadors to Japan Hisham Badr of the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Republic of Ireland's Brendan Scannell. 

Cameron expresses his condolences on the assassination of Japan’s former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. 

                                                                       @TTJ TACHIBANA PUBLISHING

  

The 6th Global Opinion Leaders Summit (2)

   The first panel discussion of the first day focused on the role of North America on the global stage. The panelists included Stephen Harper, former prime minister of Canada from 2006 to 2015 as well as current chairman of the IDU, Peter Rae, former senator of the Australian state of Tasmania, Minoru Kiuchi, House of Representatives member and prof.Masasru Ito of Meiji University who represented Japan in the discussion.

  Harper remarked on three "acute geopolitical and macroeconomic challenges" the world is now facing: the end of "native globalism," the "pandemic party hangover" caused by governmental money expansion, and the management of large-scale debts and deficits. 

   

   Worldwide Support for Development Chairman and Japan Forum on International Relations Director Haruhisa Handa (left) welcomes panelists on stage at the sixth Global Opinion Leaders Summit on July 28 in Tokyo. 

                                                                  @TTJ TACHIBANA PUBLISHING

The 6th Global Opinion Leaders Summit (1)

  On July 28 and 29, the sixth Global Opinion Leaders Summit was held in Tokyo. The two-day event was attended by more than 1200 people. As before, the meeting was held under the auspieces of Worldwide Support for Development(WSD), the International Democrat Union(IDU)  and the Japan Forum on International relations(JFIR). The two-day summit featured a lineup of leaders from around the world, who came together to share knowledge and deepen cross-cultural relationship.

  The WSD is a bipartisan organization, but this time the summit focused on the past experiences and opinions of conservative world leaders, including six of former prime ministers.

  First, in the event on Jul 28 which was held with a collaboration between the WSD and the IDU, featured three panel discussions. The speakers and attendees were invited and introduced by WSD Chairman and JFIR Directore Dr.Haruhisa Handa, relpacing former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was originally scheduled to make an opening speech. Dr.Handa noted that "this is an opportunity to gather wisdom from the world...and understand the essence of leadership from so many former prime ministers." He expressed his wish that the summit be an open and easily understandable forum for attendees to truly understand the complex issues at hand.

  Dr.Handa handed over  the introductions to Katsuei Hirasawa, a member of the House of Representatives who belongs to the Liberal Democratic Party. 

                   Haruhisa Handa opens the sixth Global Opinion Leaders Summit on July 28 in Tokyo. 

                                                                 @TTJ TACHIBANA PUBLISHING

  

High school artfest celebrates young artists (2)

  Dr.Handa presented the awards and praised the young artists, saying, "the festival views high school students as serious artists" with hope that competition will empower them "to hone their craft and build courage and confidence in their abilities." The first young artists invited on stage  received The Prince of Wales' Foundation  Award, followed by the winners of the Prime Minister's Award, the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and  Technolog Award, the Tokyo Metropolitan Gavernor Award and other accolades. Also, the festial also awarded one oversea student from each participating country who visited to Japan to see their work exhibited at the National Art Center, Tokyo.

  The National Art Center will showcase 398 works selected by the Organizing Committee of the International High School Art Festival. The exhibition is scheduled to run until August 21, helping to "foster a globally mindful and socially conscious generation of youth," in line with Dr.Handa's hopes and wishes for the festival.

High school artfest celebrates young artists (1)

 

  On August 3, the 23^rd International High school Festival awards ceremony was held at the Grand Ballroom of the Ritz Carlton Tokyo. The festival is open to high school students around the world aged 15 to 18. According to Dr.Haruhisa Handa, festival organizer and chairman of International Foundation for Arts and Culture, it has made considerable stride toward “becoming one of Japan’s most prestigious art exhibitions.”

  Festival judges, who themselves are professional artists from various genres, reviewed 11,358 submitted works divided into two categories of art and calligraphy, from not only Japan but 13 other countries including Ireland, Egypt, Brunei, Spain, the Philippines and Serbia. At the beginning of the ceremony, Shizuka Kamei, a former member of the House of Representatives, and Koji Kikutani, professor emeritus of Tokyo University of the Arts, gave opening speeches.

International Foundation for Arts and Culture Chairman Haruhisa Handa poses 

with two of the award winners at the ceremony on Aug. 3.  @ IFAC

 

Philanthropist celebrates life with art, music (3)

 

Prior to the exhibition, Dr.Handa, who is also a baritone singer held a birthday performance titled “Sakura Fubuki Concert”(“Cherry Blossom Shower Concert”) on March 16 at Nippon Budokan Hall in central Tokyo. Soprano singer Hiroko Onuki, a 30-piece orchestra and an eight-member band performed songs such as “The Music of the Night” from “The Phantom of the Opera,” ”Heavy Rotation” by AKB 48, and Dr.Handa’s original pieces. It was his fifth concert there at the prestigious Nippon Budokan Hall, for the first time in seven years.

 

Also, earlier in March, he held a classical music concert celebrating the Hina Matsuri (Doll Festival) with eight soloists, including himself, in front of orchestra at the Westin Tokyo.

 Soprano Singer Hiroko Onuki sings at Handa’s ‘Sakura Fubuki Concert’ (‘Cherry Blossom Shower Concert’) at Nippon Budokan Hall in Tokyo on March 16. | @TACHIBANA PUBLISHING

Philanthropist celebrates life with art, music (2)

 

At the age of 52, Dr.Handa entered a doctorate course at Tsinghua University’s Academy of Arts & Design in China, In his commentary for this year’s exhibition, he wrote that all of his Chinese professors were both calligraphers and painters at the same time, which may have given inspiration to his free and magnanimous style. On the other hand, his way of decomposing conventional styles or mixing them using the bold simplification unique to Japanese art or the bright colors of Western art often impressed his professors.

At the end of the ceremony, he provided some message, encouraging his guests to never stop doing new things: “Do not retire. Do not prepare for your own death, because you will die if you are ready to.”

  Dr.Haruhisa Handa and guests prepare to cut the ribbon before his solo art exhibition in Tokyo at TOC Gotanda Messe on March 18. @TACHIBANA PUBLISHING

Philanthropist celebrates life with art, music (1)

 

Dr.Haruhisa Handa, philanthropist and professionals in many fields, including art, music, calligraphy, noh plays and literature, business, held an annual solo exhibition of his artworks. including paintings, pottery, and calligraphy, in Tokyo from March 18 to 21.

 

 The exhibition has been held annually for the past 22 years, and celebrates Dr.Handa’s birthday on March 18. People visited the exhibitions and opening ceremonies, attended by prominent guests, such as the winner of this year’s Miss Japan competition. However, he does not intend to hold his birthday celebration without any special idea. The reason he started the annual birthday exhibition is that such opportunities can give him an impetus to keep pushing himself to go higher and deeper in his creative endeavors.   

 

  The exhibition was held at TOC Gotanda Messe in Toko’s Shinagawa Ward. It features 150 works, including 80 past pieces selected by art critics and 20 of his latest works. “I have just brought in the six most recently finished pieces, which don’t even have frames yet.” Dr.Handa said during the opening ceremony.  

 

  He began learning Japanese calligraphy in high school. He took a break from it for some years, but resumed lessons when he was 35. He also started painting at that time. He has tried to learn different types of calligraphy from Zen Buddhists and different types of Western-style painting. to finally produce his own 3,500 works.

 Dr. Haruhisa Handa sings at the “Sakura Fubuki Concert” (“Cherry Blossom Shower Concert”) at Nippon Budokan Hall in Tokyo on March 16.     @TACHIBANA PUBLISHING