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

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