1. Bishamonten Zenkoku-ji Temple and Akagi-jinja Shrine

This video travels Bishamonten and Akagi-jinja Shrine, one of the largest stages of Kagurazaka Street Stage O-edo Tour. Every year, the special stage at Bishamonten Zenkoku-ji Temple, which is called “Koshakuba”, is set, and various types of storytelling are performed. Also, utilizing the large stairs at the Akagi-jinja Shrine Grounds, traditional Japanese instruments and various music instruments collaborate with each other, and various traditional performance arts play at Kaguraden Stage. The chief priest of the Bishamonten Zenkoku-ji Temple and the Mayor of Shinjuku appear as interviewees in this video. The navigator is a “Koudan” storyteller Kanda Riei, she belongs to Kanda Shori III, the Living National Treasure of Japan. She has appeared in this festival four times since she was Futatsume the second crew performer. She livens up the festival over this video.

Filming cooperation

Bishamonten Zenkoku-ji Temple
Akagi-jinja Shrine
THEGLEE

Performers

Navigator
Kanda Riei (“Koudan” storytelling)

Interview
Shimada Gyoji (Bishamonten Abbot)
Yoshizumi Kenichi (Mayor of Shinjuku)

Past Footage
Kagurazaka Rakuza – Storytellers′ Theater
Fujitaka Rieko (“Chikuzen biwa” Five-stringed Japanese lute)
Takemoto Kyonosuke × Tsuruzawa Kazu (Gidayu-bushi)
Tamagawa Nanafuku x Sawamura Toyoko(Rokyoku)

Traditional Song and Dance Live
“Kodachi”, (Kiba Daisuke/ “Kokyu” Japanese fiddle x Adachi Tomonori/ Electronic keyboard and synthesizer)
Tone (Mitsuka Yukihiko/ “Shakuhachi” bamboo flute x Ono Mihoko/ “Sou” Japanese harp x Soyama Ryoichi/ guitar)

Kagurazaka Street Stage O-edo Tour Official YouTube Channel

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-NHbu1n2CP6p8Qs9v8Lp5Q
Releasing: January, 2021
※Recommending to register the channel in advance to prevent from missing out on the Tour.

Navigator

Kanda Riei (“Koudan” storytelling)

Started to learn Koudan under Kanda Shori III in 2001. Promoted to Futatsume, the second crew performer in 2006. Soka-City cultural ambassador since 2011. Performed at colleges in Italy in 2012. Grand Champion of “Yomiuri Futatsume Cup” in 2014. Promoted to shinuchi (full-fledged master) in 2016. Currently, taking a variety of active roles, performing yose (comic chat) both in metro-Tokyo area and all over in Japan, performing on TV, radio, narrating programs, hosting study group, arranging “Koudan” storytelling events, and introducing the Koudan performance to foreigners. Member of Japan Kodan Association and Rakugo Arts Association.