GRAND FINALE CONCERT

The second of two evening concerts during the Festival Music of Japan Academy Week. Event is free and open to the public. Get more information about Academy Week.

Tonight’s concert brings together the collective accomplishments of the faculty and students of Academy Week at Fredonia: Festival Music of Japan. Eien Hunter-Ishikawa, the ARC  Edo Ensemble and guest artist Fumi Tanakadate will gather together to perform traditional music from the 300-year-old Edo period. “Edo” is the name for Tokyo under rule of the Tokugawa Shogunate (1603 -1868).

Eien Hunter-Ishikawa and members of the ARC Edo Ensemble will perform many colorful traditional pieces that date back to the Edo Period, including Ryomen Odori, a double mask dance, and from the Chichibu Prefecture, Chichibu Yo Matsuri. The Chichibu Festival is one of Japan’s major festivals. It is the only wintertime festival and is mostly observed during nighttime. Student groups will perform from the music studied during the week and the concert will conclude with an extended version of Edo Kotobucki Jishi (shishimai) Lion Dance of Tokyo. Audience participation with the shishi will be encouraged.