LEGENDARY artists x
The LEGENDS of Japan.
Takachiho, Miyazaki. Where the grandson of the sun goddess descended from the heavens and the mythology of Japan was born.
Legendary artists from their respective fields are gathering here-
The Legends of Japan Project, combines ART with Takachiho-no-yokagura, a Shinto ritual that has been performed for over 800 years in the region of Takachiho. Our aim, is to not only help to preserve this priceless cultural asset but to find new and creative ways to pass this tradition on to the next generation.
This ancient ritual that depicts important scenes from the mythology of Japan, has been cherished for many centuries. The LEGENDS depicted in this ritual will be transformed and expressed through ART, at the hands of LEGENDARY artists of the modern generation. How they will express these LEGENDS and how this new take on an ancient ritual will spread, only the gods know.
news
A live painting by KENSUKE TAKAHASHI will be held next to the night Kagura dance. The finished art will be sold in collaboration with things related to Takachiho and Japan. Part of the sales of each product will be donated to the artist support and Nakahata Shrine.
A new "Utage" music by DJ KENTARO, who sampled the "sound" of Yokagura and became the first Asian to win the DMC World Champion. Products that collaborate with KENSUKE TAKAHASHI's art will include music by DJ KENTARO. Please enjoy the feast beyond 800 years while enjoying with your eyes and ears.
When writing the word [music - 音楽] using Kanji, a combination of the Kanji for [sound - 音] and the Kanji to [enjoy - 楽] are used. Music and the performing arts have always been an important part of Japanese culture which is apparent in the mythology of Japan.
Long ago, Amaterasu-Omikami the goddess of the sun, in despair at her brother’s despicable actions, shut herself in the Amanoiwato cave by placing a boulder at the entrance, plunging the world into darkness.
All the gods of the world gathered to discuss how to get Amaterasu-Omikami to leave the cave she was hiding in. The conclusion they came to, was to throw the party of a life-time right in front of the cave to entice her out.
At this legendary party of the gods, Amano-Izumi-nomikoto, the god of performing arts took the stage and performed a godly dance that transcended every expectation of all the gods. The gods erupted in a thundering round of applause. The commotion caused Amaterasu-Omikami to move the boulder at the entrance to the cave ever so slightly, to see what was going on. At that moment, Ameno-tajikara-nomikoto, the god of strength grabbed the boulder and threw it away bringing light back into the world.
Takachiho-no-yokagura
In each village, the local deity is invited to a private house or community center called a kagura-yado, where 33 numbers of yokagura are performed in dedication to the deity over the course of one night.
Yokagura is performed to pray for a good harvest in the fall, repose for the soul in winter, and blessings in spring. It is an annual village festival to pray for a good harvest and good health.
The annual festivals are held on different days in each village. The offerings of yokagura are performed on different dates, ranging from November through to the beginning of February.
Yokagura is designated as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Asset by the Japanese government.
In some villages, visitors from outside of the village can also participate as ichiya-jiko.
In such cases, it is customary to offer a gift of shochu adorned with noshi (traditional gift wrapping) or money concealed in an envelope, as a first time offering.
It is a culturally and spiritually important village festival for the locals.
ARTIST
KENSUKE TAKAHASHI
Painter / Mural artist, born, raised and living in Yokohama
With his ability of graphical description, precise technique, freedom of imagination that transcends reality, and a style of painting that isn't limited to a distinctive style, he has expanded his work to include large-scale murals, murals in restaurants and stores, artwork for corporations and government agencies, and appearances at live painting events.
In recent years, he has created large-scale murals at locations such as the Kawasaki City Hall, Yokohama Station Ekinaka, Yokohama, Yokosuka, Machida, Hachioji, Nagoya, Kobe, Macau, and more.
In addition, he has been involved in a wide range of activities, which includes providing artwork for the Yokohama Port Opening Festival 2019/2021, an event supported by the Kanagawa Prefecture's awareness program.
DJ KENTARO
JAPAN’S TURNTABLE MAESTRO, DJ KENTARO, HAS TAKEN MUSIC APPRECIATION IN ALL GENRES TO ANOTHER LEVEL, AND HAS MANAGED TO EXCEED EXPECTATIONS FROM HIS FANS AND HAS ALSO GAINED RESPECT OF THE MUSIC INDUSTRY AROUND THE WORLD. AS JAPAN'S PREMIERE DJ/PRODUCER/SCRATCH MASTER-TURNTABLIST, HE BECAME ASIA'S FIRST RECORD-BREAKING WORLD CHAMPION AT THE DMC WORLD FINAL IN 2002. FROM THEN DJ KENTARO WENT ON TO PLAY THE WORLD-FAMOUS COACHELLA, DOUR, FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL AND MANY MORE FESTIVALS AROUND THE WORLD, WHICH PAVED THE WAY FOR HIS GLOBAL RECOGNITION AND TO GRACE THE STAGES OF SOME OF THE BIGGEST INTERNATIONAL MUSIC EVENTS.
Nakabata Shrine Kagura Preservation Society
President : Yasutaka Fujisaki
Shinto shrine : Nakabata Shrine (Gosaijin Kenpan-ryujin)
There are currently 18 yokagura servants (performers).
A village with a relatively large number of young performers in their 30’s.
They dedicate a yokagura performance to the gods every November.
In December 2021, they reluctantly decided to abandon their performance for the year due to the pandemic. However, the first ever online tour was conducted in its place, and people were invited to “become Ujiko (a shrine parishioner) for one night”.
Through continuous trial and error, they are pursuing ways to pass the tradition of yokagura onto the generations to come.