date:
Tuesday, 29th October, 2019, 7:00pm

venue:
Tulane University (Freeman auditorium)
7018-7098 Plum Sreet, New Orleans, LA 70118

admission:
Free

original work:
Lafcadio Hearn

performers:
Bon Koizumi (Lecture, Supervision)
Shiro Sano (Reading, Script)
Kyoji Yamamoto (Music)

The 25th anniversary of the friendship cities between Matsue and New Orleans

http://www.japansocietyofneworleans.org/event-3446889
https://hearn2019.yakumokai.org/reading
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The Lafcadio Hearn Reading Performance began in Matsue in 2007. It is performed by a leading Japanese actor, Shiro Sano, and the world-renowned guitarist, Kyoji Yamamoto. A different theme is introduced every year. Now in its 13th year, this fusion of literature and music is an extremely unique performance art and cultural resource.

It has been performed overseas. It was received enthusiastically in Greece, the home of Hearn’s mother, in 2014, and in Ireland, the home of Hearn’s father, in 2015. In recent years, Hearn’s open-minded outlook has been re-evaluated in the context of contemporary society. This reading performance has found a place in this current as a new cultural resource which plays a role in cultural creation activities.

The performance consists of a script from Hearn’s works, created by Sano, who is a Hearn devotee, and guitar music by Yamamoto. While reflecting the subtlety of a delicate spirit, the fusion of literature and music further emphasizes the cadence of the stories. Their performance, which embodies the world of Hearn, is attracting attention for its new method of expression of literature.

The performance also includes a lecture by the folklorist and great-grandson of Lafcadio Hearn, Bon Koizumi. We hope to highlight Hearn’s deep understanding which he used to depict the fundamental cultures of Japan and the USA. while exploring ways to enhance Japanese-American cultural exchange.

In his lifetime, Hearn adopted the role of storyteller and retold over 80 stories. Kwaidan is the representative culmination of his efforts. In Ireland, it was said that Sano’s storytelling was music, and Yamamoto’s music was storytelling. We want the people of the USA to experience this world of profound imagination through Kwaidan, in which Hearn was at his best.

This time, the calligrapher, who has provided the title calligraphy for the reading performance, Nanami Nanasawa, will hold a Ink art performance in New York. We expect the spirit of Japanese calligraphy combined with the spirit of Hearn will resonate in this new performance.
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organizer:
The Hearn Society

co-organizer:
Matsue City

cooperation:
Japan Society
Japan America Society of Greater Cincinnati
Japan Research Center of Greater Cincinnati
Hearn Society USA
Japan Society of New Orleans
Tulane University

support:
Embassy of Japan in the United States of America
Shimane Prefecture
Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of New York, Inc.

funding:
The Japan World Exposition 1970 Commemorative Fund

https://www.facebook.com/events/2429244503830446/