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PerArt09


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Mapping Tradition in Contemporary Japan: New Production of Traditional Performance 
Convenor:
Mariko Okada
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Section:
Performing Arts
Sessions:
Thursday 26 August, -
Time zone: Europe/Brussels

Short Abstract:

Traditional theater seems to be facing difficulties. This panel introduce representative new works related to Japanese classical dance and discuss how the traditional theater tries to integrate classical elements with modern people's interest and how to make tradition survive today.

Long Abstract:

Traditional theater in Japan, such as kabuki and nihon buyō (Japanese classical dance), seems to be facing difficulties. Although theater gathers large numbers of foreign tourists, audiences are decreasing in size. The aging of audiences is also a serious issue. Traditional theaters have been implementing many steps to attract young audiences, such as adapting Western stories, integrating Japanese manga and anime, using Vocaloid performers, and highlighting traditional Japanese culture. A nationalistic tone can also be seen in these productions. This panel introduces three papers on the issue of the new creation of classical dance drama. The first paper, entitled "Recreation Repeated," features the recreation of a modern playwright's work based on a well-known gossip in the 17th century. This dance drama was premiered in 1975 by dancers from a Japanese traditional dance school and a Japanese ballet company. In other words, it was an integration trial between ballet and traditional Japanese dance. From the 1950s to 1970s, traditional Japanese dance created many experimental works; however, most of them were not performed again. This paper also introduces the reconstruction trial being undertaken today. The second paper, entitled "Tradition Renewed," examines the recent new creation of traditional Japanese dance mainly produced by the Japanese Classical Dance Association, which is the only organization of traditional dance in Japan. The themes of their new attempts, such as Japanese rituals and festivals, are still traditional, although being created today. This paper argues the meaning of Japaneseness in traditional Japanese dance—whether "Japanese" is a dance technique or a theme. The third paper, entitled "From Innovative to Traditional" explores the history of new creations in traditional Japanese dance. The purpose and background of creation will be argued by this panel by analyzing the trends in these new works. In its entirety, this panel discusses the contemporary position of tradition in Japanese dance performance.

Accepted papers:

Session 1 Thursday 26 August, 2021, -