2024/1/13: Japan Foundation to present high-definition screening “Cinema Kabuki: Yugen” with pre-screening Taiko performance and Kabuki lecture at Aratani Theatre on Jan. 13

The Japan Foundation Los Angeles presents high-definition screening “Cinema Kabuki: Yugen” at Aratani Theatre, 244 S. San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012, on Saturday, January 13 at 1:00 pm. Free admission. Registration Preferred.

“Cinema Kabuki: Yugen” features Tamasaburo Bando, Kodo, Jusuke Hanayagi, and Hanayagi-ryu Dancers. Recorded live at Hakataza Theatre, Hakata, 2017. 121mins. Subtitled in English.

Pre-screening events include Live Taiko performance by TAIKOPROJECT, and Kabuki lecture by Satoko Shimazaki (UCLA).

In this production, world acclaimed Kabuki actor, Tamasaburo Bando has sublimated the traditional Japanese performing arts of Noh and Kabuki into a new dimension of art by fusing them with Kodo’s soul-stirring taiko. In addition to starring in and directing the play, Tamasaburo also edited and supervised the video, creating the ultimate worldview. A special video that can only be seen in this production will be included.

Yugen depicts the beauty and ethereal world of Japan incorporating themes from iconic works such as “Hagoromo” (The Feather Mantle), “Dojoji” (Dojoji Temple), and “Shakkyo” (The Stone Bridge).

What is Cinema Kabuki?

Since 2005, Kabuki production company Shochiku Co. Ltd. has released Cinema Kabuki which offers English speakers the unique opportunity to experience full-scale Kabuki performances by some of Japan’s biggest stars in high definition on the big screen with English subtitles.

This, however, is no regular film screening; Cinema Kabuki allows the audience to vividly experience the excitement of the live stage through the full use and wide-range capability of high-definition (HD) images and 6-channel sound. Enjoy the authenticity of Kabuki as if you were sitting in the best seat of the Metropolitan Opera House.