Here’s a roundup of events related to Japanese culture or have originated from Japan, featured in this year’s Edinburgh Fringe festival. With many different styles and genres, be sure to check out this exciting collection as there’s definitely something for everyone.

 

Music:

 

• Akiko Okamoto Piano Recital, 09-10 August

• Venue: St Andrew’s and St George’s West, George St

Come and hear this Japanese born international soloist perform a delightful series of two concerts of works by Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Chopin, Ravel and Rachmaninov.

• All About Chopin Waka Hasegawa, 18 August

• Venue: St Andrew’s and St George’s West, George St

Japanese pianist Waka Hasegawa performs widely in concert and on radio, both as a soloist and in a duo partnership, in Europe, USA and Japan. Her recital includes much-loved Chopin masterpieces, including Mazurkas, Nocturnes and Sonata.

Waka Hasegawa

• Japan Marvelous Drummers, July 31 August 1-11, 13-2

• Venue: Assembly George Square Theatre

Prepare yourself for a once in a lifetime show, filled with power, humour, dance, and traditional Japanese drums, that has performed all around the world. Don’t miss this unique chance to see Japanese traditional instruments like Japanese drums, the Koto (Japanese harp), Shinobue (Japanese bamboo flute), Shakuhachi, and others

japanmarvelous.com

• Romi CANCELLED Hiromi Okoshi

• Venue: Spotlites @ The Merchants’ Hall

“I absorbed a variety of styles, such as blues and folk music, and took inspiration from cutting-edge experimental musicians and artists from around the world, which had a dramatic impact upon my current style. Using this consistent method of expression, I have always exposed the hidden true feelings of humans.”

• Samurai Spirit is Here! | Edinburgh Festival Fringe Samurai Drum IKKI, August 1-9, 11-17

• Venue: theSpace @ Symposium Hall

“They are fierce and focused… encompassed all of the traditional art form with techniques and rhythms worthy of very accomplished modern percussionist… a wonder to watch and this group is well worth seeing for the art and technique and worthy of following in the future.” (BritishTheatreGuide.info).

 

Theatre:

 

• Cirque Tsuki: Parade, July 30-31 August 1-11, 13-25

•Venue:  C venues – C nova http://www.cthefestival.com/

Parade comes from the furthest reaches of Japan, inspired by Izanagi and Izanami. The Cirque Tsuki is playing A Gathering of One Hundred Supernatural Tales, where 100 candles are lit and 100 ghost stories are told. Parade is last in the trilogy. ‘A fantastic five-star piece of theatre’ (RemoteGoat.com).

• News Junkie, August 19-25

• Venue: Paradise in The Vault

New piece from Japan, by the group Yorimichi. The story is about a man reflecting on life through the news. This story can be simply romance, comedy and also tragedy, which touches your feelings and delivers you some tenderness.

• Hecat’s Poison: Enter the three Witches, August 4-9, 11-16, 18-23

• Venue: Quaker Meeting House

Players Tokyo is a Japanese English-speaking theatre group specialised in Shakespeare, with their adaptation of the Shakespeare play Macbeth, which is through the point of view of Hecate, Goddess of Crossroads. Straightforward in style, the original text mostly preserved for this classical Shakespearean performance.

 

Comedy:

 

• Boxer Gamarjobat, July 30 August 1-4, 6-11, 13-18

• Venue: Gilded Balloon

Gamarjobat arrived on UK shores less than a decade ago, unknown inside and outside of Japan – a mime comedy act wanting to play the Edinburgh fringe. Five sell out Edinburgh runs later, Gamarjobat have established themselves as world leaders in physical comedy.

• Japanese Samurai Don Quixote Challenging Giant English Windmills! Hiroshi Shimizu, July 31 August 1-12, 14-24

• Venue: Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters

A stand-up comedian arrived in Edinburgh from Japan, the country worst at speaking English! Based on a true story and performed with boundless energy and remarkable skills from 20 years acting experience, this is a solo documentary comedy show about the struggle of a new challenge.

• Japanese Terminatol is Back! Hiroshi Shimizu, July 31 August 1-12, 14-24

•Venue:  Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters

This solo comedy battle show features all-time favourite parody movie trailers (middle-aged James Bond, French zombie, elderly Star Wars, Japanese Batman, Alien vs Predator vs Sadako vs Pikachu, etc.,) and slapstick sketches.

 

 

Dance and Performance Art:

 

• Bottle Mail from Okinawa Ship of the Ryuku, August 9-17, 19-24

• Venue: Spotlites @ The Merchants’ Hall

Ship of the Ryukyu returns with an exciting traditional song and dance show from Okinawa. When a bottle containing an ancient message is opened the audience are taken back in time to the glorious Ryukyu Kingdom.

• re:Fujisan LaN-T003, August 1-6, 8-10, 12-16

•Venue:  Zoo Southside

LaN-T003 are a contemporary performing art group and have been performing since 2006 visiting countries and cities all around the world, as well as in commercials and music videos. “urban energy and a pulsing, kinetic style of movement” (List).

• The Sake DEN Entertainment, August 2-24

•Venue:  New Town Theatre

Through the mediums of traditional Japanese Dance and Storytelling, as well as Acrobatics and Musicians, DEN Entertainment tells the story of Sake, through each season, coloured by world beating projection mapping and 3D sound.

• Sushi Tap Show Tokyo Tapdo!, July 30-31 August 1-25

•Venue: C venues – C

Awfully addictive eccentric performances combine tap, circus, and music hall schtik for an unforgettable toe-tapping experience you’ve never seen before.

www.tapdo.com

Text By Takeo Broadhurst (Eltham College)