Invitation to “Yukiai—Kiyohime”: Chieko Kojima

“Yukiai—Kiyohime” will be presented on the last day of Earth Celebration, August 23 starting at 2PM at Ayusu Kaikan. This year, the photo book on Kiyohime has been published and the DVD “Tale of Kiyohime” is also underway. I would like to guide you through the unveiled world of Kiyohime at this Earth Celebration.

The original Kiyohime members are Shusuke Kimura on fue and shamisen, Shingo Ikegami on koto, Hiromi Nishida on violin and a percussionist Ayuko Ikeda. For this Earth Celebration, we have a special guest,  Suna Pak who plays kayagum, the Korean harp. The sound of kayagum echoes along with Kiyohime’s emotion, and will touch the listeners’ hearts deeply.

In addition, the Iwami Kagura’s Serpent Dance by Taizo Kobayashi, who performs at the Special Fringe events on the second day of EC, will also join us to make this performance a once-in-a-lifetime event. I recently visited Kobayashi’s mask studio at Yunotsu, Shimane and rehearsed with him. He is getting ready for his performance on Sado Island.

The signature piece “Hanahachijo” will be performed at the climax of the story, and I will express Kiyohime’s feeling through beating the drum, just as Kiyohime hit the bell in the original tale.

I look forward to seeing you at the performance!

Also the photo exhibition “Kiyohime on Sado Island” will be held at Hiyoriyama Cafe in the town of Ogi during Earth Celebration. Please enjoy this portrayal of Kiyohime‘s journey through the changing seasons on Sado Island.