YATTOKAME FESTIVAL
a chance to encounter a never-before-seen Nagoya
Kyogen and a variety of other art forms thrilled the hearts of Nagoya's residents,
and this enjoyment was carried down through day-to-day life as traditional culture.
Meanwhile, in out-of-the-way corners of the city,
long-forgotten stories of yore...and when we carefully retrace the maps with fresh eyes,
everywhere we go, we arrive at history and traditions with ties to today.
Wander about, and you're sure to encounter the fair visage of Nagoya, a city of culture.
Let us be astonished at the expressions that appear, laugh deeply,
and recount together the heretofore unglimpsed views of Nagoya.
The entire city is the stage for celebration of "A Place of Art, a Place of Journeys – Nagoya."
It awaits you again at this year's Yattokame Festival.
Inquiries: info@yattokame.jp
Much of Japan’s performing arts emerged from the bustling streets from which the performers formed a cultural community. The modern day streets still maintain that culture, and this is where this project was born. The performances in this project re-ignite the traditions!
The art of Noh was patronized by the ruling samurai caste, and admired by the townsfolk. Without seeing it, you cannot fully appreciate its traditional role or craft, nor can you understand the roots of this city. The world of Noh is a world beyond your wildest dreams, a world that lives on, in Nagoya City.
Follow the footprints of history through the city to discover secrets, stories and valuable cultural heritage. You’ll see the city in a different light having seen, heard, touched and experienced on this fascinating and enjoyable course.
On 39 well-loved strolls, you can walk with a guide who loves Nagoya. Find out how the sights you see are rooted in history and culture. Feel the thrill of discovering hidden treasure. New walks added. To little-known spots, trace the steps of historic people. It’s great fun to walk through the streets and see sights that express the deep charm of Nagoya.
- When
- Sat, 23 October from1:00 p.m.
- Where
- Yattokame Festival YouTube Channel
- Program
- Street kabuki, Tsuji Kyogen, Kōdan
Some contents will be available for a limited time.
Urban Performances
The tale of Kodai-in "Nene", the wife of Hideyoshi Toyotomi has begun to attract attention
because in three years it will be the 400th anniversary of her death.
Street Kabuki
Online Event
Hideyoshi, a world-renowned man born in Nagoya in the Owari domain, is known for his successful career, but his supportive wife Nene, was the driving force behind this success! It is said that the two got together in a love marriage, which was rare in the Warring States period. They continued to live in the Nagoya area for the rest of their lives after the unification of the country. We tell a bright and entertaining story of the prosperity of these two souls.
| When | Sat, 23 October from1:00 p.m. |
|---|---|
| Script and Direction | Kazumasa Nishikawa (Head of Nishikawa School of Nihon Buyō) |
| Performers | Sōken Kudō (Head of Kudō School of Nihon Buyō), Tokiwazu Tsunaho, Mizume Ito, Reisho Mase |
| Music | Tsutomu Tanaka |
Urban Performances
Discover the Japanese culture with Kōdan, the traditional art of storytelling.
Kōdan Traditional Oral Japanese Storytelling and Traditional Folk Songs
Kyokudo Rinrin
Online Event
A traditional form of storytelling, performed by speaking rhythmically following the CLAP CLAP of the paper fan hitting the lectern. Storyteller, Kyokudo Rinrin, gives a lecture about this area. Is it a classic, fiction or a Go player's biography!? This Yattokame Festival will exceed your expectations! It's already the second year since the start of the coronavirus crisis, so gargle, wash your hands and laugh. Yattokame Festival, we have been waiting. Rinrin hits the stage to entertain!
| When | Sat, 23 October from1:00 p.m. |
|---|---|
| Performers | Kyokudo Rinrin |
Urban Performances
Everyone will laugh out loud
Tsuji Kyogen Hagi Daimyo
Online Event
Kyogen, with a history of over 600 years is the oldest comedy in Japan. Then and now the human condition hasn't changed and it keeps delivering a warm and generous laugh. It is a story that trascends time, spun in the present.
| When | Sat, 23 October from1:00 p.m. |
|---|---|
| Program | Hagi Daimyo |
| Performers | Inoue Matsujiro, Inoue Soudai, Yonekura Hiroki |
Urban Performances
Edo style Shamisen music and Joruri, a story that tells about the tragic love
between Minamoto no Yoshitsune and Princess Joruri.
Tokiwazu
Online Event
Tokiwazu is Kabuki to listen to. We invite you to the world of this popular Edo period story with the musical tone of the Shamisen and the stylish narrative and dialogue of Joruri balad drama.
| When | Sat, 6 November |
|---|---|
| Performers | TokiwazuTsunaren (Tokiwazu Tsunaho, Tokiwazu Tsunami, Tokiwazu Tsunachika） |
Urban Performances
Nagoya's Sawagi Uta
Orthodox Nagoya Jinku,Atsuta Godo-bushi
Online Event
There is also a one-point song lecture along with performances and stories by Nagoya Jinku and Atsuta Goudo Bushi, of whom you will surely have heard, of Hauta (short love songs) and Kouta (ballad‐type songs) related to the Nagoya area. Let's sing about Nagoya together!
| When | Sun, 14 November |
|---|---|
| Performers | Ha-uta: Hanabusa-ryu Hana-no-Kai, head Masako Hanabusa, head Komasa Hanabusa, others |
Urban Performances
Spend a great time at a traditional Japanese restaurant
Traditional Japanese Dining with Parlor Games and Shows
Meigiren Kumiai
Enjoy elegant traditional Geisha entertainment while relishing a delicious seasonal Kaiseki dinner, a sophisticated Japanese haute dining.
You will be able to spend a delightful time watching Maiko and Geisha dance performances up close. You will also have the opportunity to chat and play a variety of traditional Japanese games with these amazing artists.
This year Ozashiki Asobi will be performed in English especially for English speakers to fully enjoy this unique experience.
*The price includes the food charge, taxes, and service charges. Beverages can be paid for in cash on the day of the event.
*Doors open 30 minutes before the scheduled start. Be aware that no admissions are allowed until then.
*Before coming to any event, please be sure to check the precautions regarding preventive measures against the spread of new coronavirus infection.
L code：47323
Reservation required (From this year the ticket purchase method has changed. For details, please see the back cover of the official program)
| When | Sun, 7 November from5:30 p.m. |
|---|---|
| Where | Kamome(4-85 Shirakabe, Higashi-ku) |
| Performers | Meigiren Kumiai (premier Nagoya geisha federation), Princess Samurai Of Japan — Madam Odai (Odai No Kata) — |
| Price | ¥14,000 |
| Max People | 35 |
Yattokameguri
Nagoya's Energizing Japanese Sweets
Get off the beaten tourist track and explore Nagoya's traditional sweets (Wagashi) shops during Yattokame Bunkasai Festival. This is a great experience for all food lovers, sweets enthusiasts and those who like to know more about Japanese tradition. Yattokame Bunkasai will provide a sweets map featuring the most traditional sweets shops around Nagoya.
| Holding Period | Sat, 23 October - Sun, 14 November |
|---|---|
| Participating shops | Aoyagi Sohonke KITTE Nagoya, Ichida, Umeyamitsutaka, Osu Uiro Osu Main Store, Kakuozan Furoen, Kyogashi Kame Hiroyoshi, Kameya Yoshihiro Honten, Kawaguchiya, Onkashi-tsukasa Kikyo-en, Onkashi-tsukasa Kikuya, Onkashi-tsukasa Kikuya Shigetomi, Kiyome-mochi Sohonke, Arare-no-takumi Shiraki, Suzume-odori Sohonten, Daikokuya Honten, Okashidokoro Tsukuhaneya, Nayabashi Manju Banshoan Osu Banshoji-dori Shop, Onkashi-tsukasa Furoen Masamitsu, Mannendo, Minochu, Onkashi-tsukasa Mochikan, Mochibun Sohonten & Honten, Ymamadamochi narumi and Ryoguchiya Korekiyo Higashiyama Shop (total 24) |
• Recipes and prices vary according to shop.
• Collect stamps and win Yattokame Cultural Festival original goods! Here is what you need to do: Just collect the stamps you will receive when buying a wagashi from any of the shops shown on the The Nagoya Wagashi map. Send the stamps collected during the Yattokame Cultural festival by ordinary mail to the below address and you will receive a Yattokame Cultural Festival original good.
Learn about Nagoya Sweets on "Nagoya is not boring" blog post
Special Menu
Experimental Dramas: Sotoba Komachi and Aoi no Ue
Nagoya Omokageza
Online Event
This time it's a play. So far, we have tried lectures, performances, and workshops at Omokageza, but now we will deliver theatrical performances online. This is an attempt to incorporate the various themes of song, Noh, science, video, and poetry, which we have adressed in the past six lectures, into the expression of theater. It's an experimental play, so to speak. The performances are "Sotoba Komachi" and "Aoi no Ue" based on the "Five Modern Noh Plays" by Yukio Mishima. Mishima re-edited the story of the old woman and the high priest in the original text in his song "Sotoba Komachi" (1956). Old and young, mind and matter, holy and profane, single moments and eternity... We believe that the symbolism of these pairs should be re-re-edited in the present age when everything is becoming more and more frank. How will Mishima's vulgar cliche of operetta-style be reminiscent of 2021? Witness that!
| When | Sat, 23 October - Sun, 14 November |
|---|---|
| Where | Yattokame Festival YouTube Channel |
| Appearance | People of Omokageza |
Special Menu
Social Good Upcycling Design Workshop + Talk
Upcycling is the creation of a new product by adding new value such as design and ideas to waste that would otherwise be thrown away. In this workshop, we will turn the ubiquitous round chair into a cherrished Baton stool by upcycling it.
In the post workshop talk, we will speak about upcycling with waste design studio Bouillon and Mono Factory.
Held Simultaneously ：Upcycling Design Exhibition
| When | Sun, 14 November from 1:00 p.m to 5:30 p.m. |
|---|---|
| Co-sponsorship | Nagoya Environmental University, UNESCO Design City Nagoya Promotion Project Executive Committee |
| Price | free |
| Location | Chojamachi Cotton Building |
| Workshop participation fee | 5,000 yen (capacity 10 people) |
| Talk | Free (capacity 30 people) |
| Guest Lecturer | Hayato Hattori, Hiroki Nasu (Bouillon) + Mono Factory |
* Contents are subject to change. For more information, visit the UNESCO Design City Nagoya official website.