Free Events
Shin Tanaka: Paper Toy Live!Paper toy creator Shin Tanaka initially became known for his creation of folded paper models and templates for detailed life-size sneakers. Tanaka’s paper sneakers have been displayed in the NIKE design library, and he has collaborated with more than 80 brands. In addition, he developed his popular T-BOY model as a new surface for his graffiti pieces. Tanaka will present the art of paper toy making in Paper Toy Live!
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Aki TakahashiSince her first public recital in 1970, pianist Aki Takahashi has been active in the field of new music and is known for her interpretations of many composers, including John Cage, Morton Feldman, and even the Beatles. The New York Times says Takahashi “plays with wonderful delicacy and concentration.”
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Shigeo Kawashima, Bamboo Sculptor: WAShigeo Kawashima's sculptures take bamboo as an artistic medium to a new level. His work WA ("Ring") was commissioned for the festival and constructed on site.
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Yayoi Kusama, Avant-Garde Artist: Dots Obsession - Day and Dots Obsession - NightAn icon of the visual arts world, Kusama invites visitors to experience her world-premiere mixed media installation. One room, Night, is black with yellow polka dots, while the other, Day, is yellow with black polka dots.
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Mika Ninagawa, Photographer: Everlasting FlowersOne of Japan's most popular photographers and filmmakers, Ninagawa specializes in portraits and still life photography. On display will be a sampling of her brightly colored floral work.
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Hiroyuki Suzuki, Photographer: A MomentThis black and white photo series records the progression of a major highway in downtown Tokyo being constructed, depicting a sense of fear and instability.
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Junko Koshino, Fashion Designer: Theater CostumesThe Tony-nominated fashion designer left Japan for Paris in the early '80s and started showing garments that drew on the basic Kimono shape. Interested in contrasts, she claims opposites come together to form a whole.
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Reiko Sudo and Nuno Corporation: "Koi Currents" Textile InstallationReiko Sudo is the co-founder of Nuno Corporation, renowned for their innovative textiles. Their exhibition illuminates textile design in the form of a giant fish, inspired by the Japanese holiday Kodomo No Hi ("Children's Day").
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Nobuyuki Tanaka, Urushi Artist: Lacquer SculpturesOne of Japan's leading urushi artists exploring the sculptural possibilities of this ancient art form that starts with the toxic sap from a lacquer tree, indigenous to East Asia.
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Mikimoto: Antique Sash ClipsMikimoto has been dedicated to presenting the finest quality cultured pearls for more than a century. For the 150th anniversary of its founder's birth, Mikimoto lends its rare collection of sash clips worn on the front of kimonos.
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Motoko Maio, Folding Screen Artist: Moment by Moment - Heartbeat by HeartbeatThe artist has been reinventing the art of byobu (folding screens) for more than two decades, using traditional materials and techniques to express contemporary themes. Her screens for the festival will be made out of ancient kimonos.
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Tadao Ando, Architect: Four Cubes to Contemplate Our EnvironmentThe world-renowned architect Tadao Ando presents this world-premiere glass installation, which explores sustainability and the environment. It was constructed on-site specifically for the festival.
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Manga Café and Reading LoungeEnjoy a bite to eat while reading VIZ Media mangas, watching anime trailers, and viewing vintage robot toys. Manga author Robin Nishi will capture festival happenings in a daily drawing and conduct a free workshop.
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Robotopia RisingDon't miss this robot extravaganza that highlights the science and culture of Japanese robotics. The most sophisticated robots in the world will be present, and daily shows will provide a fascinating showcase for all of their amazing talents.
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Junko Koshino Fashion ShowDon’t miss a fashion show created by the acclaimed designer, Tony-nominated for her costumes for Amon Miyamoto’s Pacific Overtures. In the early ’80s, she left Japan for Paris where she formed her own company, showing garments inspired by the basic Kimono shape.
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OKI Dub Ainu Band and MarewrewOKI, the most prominent tonkori performer in the world, brings his Dub Ainu Band and female singers of Marewrew for a concert that fuses reggae, African music, and electronica with Ainu folk melodies. The tonkori, a long, flat instrument, produces its own distinct sound. OKI’s contemporary approach has won him praise in Japan and around the world.
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Robot Lectures during Robotopia RisingDistinguished writers and researchers in the field of robotics will conduct lectures about the evolution of robots, from Karakuri dolls to life-like humanoids.
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Hakata Kinjishi Taiko and Hakata KomaLed by siblings Jyuraku and Syouraku Chikushi, Hakata Kinjishi Dance and Drums presents a style derived from music for the Lion Dance, performed to bring good luck. Along with their traditional taiko drums, they collaborate with congas, djembe, and other musical genres. The performance also features their mother Shuraku Chikushi, the only female traditional topspinning (Hakata Koma) artist in Japan.
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YMCKAcclaimed pop trio YMCK is renowned for its 8bit sound and pixel animation in live performance that reminds people of old video game consoles.
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Ebina Performing ArtsKenichi Ebina, a multiple-style dance performer, started out dancing freestyle hip-hop and expanded his style to poppin’, lockin’, mime, house, jazz, contemporary, and ethnic dance. Kenichi is the first and only two-time grand champion in the Showtime at the Apollo history.
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Koji KakinumaCalligraphy artist Koji Kakinuma began studying traditional Japanese monochrome brushwork at the age of five. In 1989, Kakinuma arrived on the national stage when he became the youngest person to win the coveted Dokuritsu Shojindan Foundation prize. His rise through the Japanese art world has since been meteoric. For the festival, Kakinuma presents one of his trademark innovations, Trancework, in which he paints countless repetitions of a simple, powerful phrase, producing a giant calligraphic work. Japanese fue player Kaoru Watanabe and contemporary percussionist Tatsuya Nakatani accompany the performance.
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Maywa DenkiThe unique performance art troupe's robotic instruments will be on display and demonstrations will be held twice daily.
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Takagi MasakatsuTakagi Masakatsu is a visual artist and musician whose work knows no aesthetic borders, from video installations and music videos to composing music for commercials and film. For the festival, Takagi will present a multimedia performance with live music and digitally altered video projections.
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Yasuki FukushimaExclamatory poet Yasuki Fukushima, best known for zekkyo (shouted) tanka, performs some of his works. Similar to haiku, but older, tanka poems are 31 syllables long and evoke a moment or mark an occasion with concision and musicality. The performance will include piano accompaniment by Masato Nagahata.
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Strange Kinoko Dance CompanyOne of the most popular dance companies in Japan, this acclaimed all-female dance company presents the world premiere of Flowers, a new site-specific piece created for the festival. The troupe approaches dance from different angles and perspectives and pursues originality with site-specific creations.
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Strange Kinoko Dance CompanyThe acclaimed all-female dance company presents the world premiere of Flowers, a new site-specific piece created for the festival.
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Maywa Denki PerformanceFounded in 1993 by two brothers, Maywa Denki is a performance art troupe with a unique style. Each piece of their work is called “a product,” and a live performance is considered “a product demonstration.” With their robotic instruments, they perform a number of their masterpieces.
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A Harajuku EveningCelebrate the finale of the festival with an evening devoted to Harajuku, the Tokyo neighborhood internationally renowned for its youth style and fashion. Immerse yourself in the latest trends in global street culture and music: hip-hop, punk, robot DJs, Ura-Hara, Goth-Lolitas, and more. Be sure to dress up in your favorite Harajuku-inspired fashion!
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Rebel, Artist, Superstar: The Films of Tadanobu Asano
The Smithsonian’s Freer-Sackler Gallery presents five films starring Tadanobu Asano. His riveting, rebellious screen presence has made him a star in Japan and abroad, earned him comparisons to such actors as Johnny Depp, and prompted Time Magazine to dub him Japan’s “collective Mr. Hyde.” Asano will appear in person with the first three films in the series. Vital - Feb. 1 at 7 p.m.; Last Life in the Universe – Feb. 2 at 2 p.m.; Sad Vacation – Feb. 3 at 2 p.m.; Tori – Feb. 8 at 7 p.m.; Bright Future – Feb. 10 at 2 p.m. All films will be screened at the Meyer Auditorium in the Freer-Sackler Gallery, 1100 Independence Ave., SW (Metro: Smithsonian). Free tickets required. Maximum 2 tickets per person distributed at the auditorium one hour before start time. For more information, visit the Freer-Sackler Gallery Web site.
- HRH Foundation
is the Official Airline of JAPAN! culture+hyperculture
Additional Sponsors: The Festival Honorary Committee, Aruze Corp., Amway Corporation, Toyota and International Programming, Kennedy Center International Committee on the Arts.
This Freer-Sackler screenings are made possible by the Kennedy Center, the Japan Commerce Association of Washington, the Japan Information and Culture Center of the Embassy of Japan, and Mrs. H. William Tanaka.
Exhibits of Shigeo Kawashima, Nobuyuki Tanaka, and Motoko Maio are sponsored by 
