[Director Kunio Sugihara] Discusses the possibilities of classical performing arts and theater, dance, and stage performances.

Kunio Sugihara is a popular director and stage designer who works on everything from modern plays to Greek tragedies, Shakespeare, and Kabuki performances. At "What's SAMBASO - The Possibilities of Classical Performing Arts" on July 23rd, a cross-talk on performing arts is planned, along with a lecture by Yuichi Kinoshita, who leads Kinoshita Kabuki, and a performance by Sennojō Shigeyama III, a Kyogen performer of the Ōkura school. This time, we bring you an exclusive interview conducted at the venue, Momijizaka Hall.

It all started when my mother invited me to see a ballet performance.

-- The Kanagawa Prefectural Youth Center is celebrating its 60th anniversary. Who will be coming to Momijizaka Hall?

Sugihara: It's been about seven years since I was invited to the Kanagawa Prefecture School Drama Exchange Festival, an event related to school drama, back in September 2016. But this is the first time I've seen a stage this bare and undecorated, so it feels refreshing. It's a unique theater to have a revolving stage of this size.

—That's the perspective of a true professional. Have you been interested in performing arts since you were a child?

Sugihara: From around the time I started elementary school, I used to go with my mother to the local Chigasaki Civic Cultural Center to see ballet and kabuki touring performances, as well as musicals by the Shiki Theatre Company. I also remember seeing a ballet performance by Yoko Morishita at the Kanagawa Prefectural Hall in Yokohama. Even when I was attending a nursery school in Tokyo, when puppet shows or children's plays came around, I would make crafts while my mother was preparing dinner and then recreate them with my twin brother (laughs).

—That's amazing! You've covered a wide range of genres, from ballet and Kabuki to puppet shows.

Sugihara: My parents weren't involved in the arts world, but they would immediately get tickets and take me to see anything I wanted to see. I think they wanted to broaden my horizons by exposing me to things I was interested in from an early age.

—Did you continue to be an art lover after that?

Sugihara: I liked playing outside, but I was also good at and loved drawing and crafts, so I always got good grades in art. In high school, I was always in a leadership position in school events, and I enjoyed working together with everyone towards a common goal or creating something together in events like the cultural festival, sports day, and choral competition. I thought that the place where I could study those things, where I could have a cultural festival every day, would be a university specializing in performing arts! So I went to Kyoto University of Art and Design (now Kyoto University of the Arts) where I could study performing arts.

Every day wasn't a school festival! My student days were filled with nothing but learning.

Kunio Sugihara being interviewed at Momijizaka Hall

—You entered university aiming to become a creator, not an audience member or performer. What was it actually like?

Sugihara: We couldn't have a cultural festival every day (laughs). In many ways, it was different from what I had imagined. Of course, it was much more professional. The Department of Film and Performing Arts at the time had a lot of avant-garde and eccentric professors, and their teaching was unique and stimulating (laughs). My preconceived notions were shattered, and I learned that there are many perspectives and methods of expression.

—If you had to pick one memorable encounter from your student days, what would it be?

Sugihara: It was definitely Shogo Ota, the playwright and director who was the head of the department at the time. He said, "When you put something you've created in the rehearsal room onto the stage, the work is exposed to the eyes of an unspecified number of people and becomes socialized." Therefore, artists must never forget that their expression is always being broadcast to society. He taught me the attitude of a theater person in a strict yet warm way.

—That really hits home.

Sugihara: That's right. I believe that being able to learn from top-notch, respected teachers such as dancer Setsuko Yamada and playwright/director Takeshi Kawamura has broadened the scope of my expression.

Discover the unique charm of performing arts.

Kyogen Noh performer Shigeyama Sennojō III performing "Sanbasō" on stage.

--This summer, Mr. Sugihara will be involved in "What's SAMBASO - The Possibilities of Classical Performing Arts," which will be held here at Momijizaka Hall on July 23rd.

This project focuses on the play "Sanbaso," which is often performed on auspicious occasions such as the opening of the Sugihara Theatre or the New Year. By learning about, watching, and thinking about the play "Sanbaso," we hope that people will enjoy and feel the potential of classical performing arts nurtured in our country.

Leaflet for the event "What's SAMBASO: The Possibilities of Classical Performing Arts," held on July 23rd.

—The leaflet also says, "An illustrated guide to the deconstruction of performing arts that they don't teach you in school."

Sugihara: Art isn't about studying! People often think it's intimidating, but once you get to know it, that's not the case at all. This time, we'll learn about the performance through an explanation by Yuichi Kinoshita, whom I wholeheartedly recommend as being able to give the most understandable and interesting lecture in Japan, and then you'll enjoy a performance by the modern and energetic Sennojō Shigeyama III. Furthermore, I'd like to discuss the possibilities of staging classical performing arts as contemporary stage art and methods of direction, based on my past works and creative experience. You'll never learn this kind of thing in school (laughs).

—It's a real privilege to be able to learn directly from three people who are active on the front lines.

Sugihara: I believe that if you want to express something, you have to be proactive in "learning," otherwise the range of your expression will be narrow. For example, I've worked on "Sanbaso/Sanbaso" twice before with Kinoshita Kabuki, which is run by Kinoshita-kun, but I've always started by learning about it. I've watched many versions of "Sanbaso/Sanbaso" in Kyogen, Noh, and Kabuki, and I've bombarded the knowledgeable Kinoshita-kun with questions (laughs), and I'm overflowing with the desire to learn. I think you can't create something new if you don't know about the original play.

—So, you believe that "knowing" is essential for creating something.

Sugihara: With this project, I also wanted to turn "knowing" into entertainment. I want people to experience the joy and pleasure of learning. I especially want to convey this to the young people who will be carrying the future of the performing arts world. Otherwise, art will always remain just something to study. I want to convey that the classical performing arts of our country are so interesting and cool. I feel like that's why I direct classical performances.

Kunio Sugihara shares his thoughts in an interview at Momijizaka Hall

—So you're talking about high school and college students, the younger generation.

Sugihara: I hope going to the theater becomes as common as going to an amusement park or karaoke. For example, when you go out for Italian food, do you go to a family restaurant? Or do you splurge a little and go to a fancy restaurant? It's like, when you want to see some entertainment, do you go to the movie theater? Or maybe you say, "I have a little extra money this month, so let's go to the theater!" (laughs).

—A little bit extravagant, stretching your budget a bit?

Sugihara: To be honest, performing arts are overwhelmingly more luxurious entertainment compared to affordable video streaming services that offer unlimited viewing. That's why, first and foremost, those who perform and create must understand the unique charm and possibilities that only performing arts can offer. I hope this project will allow people to rediscover that in the theater setting and gain confidence in their expression.

Kunio Sugihara shares his thoughts in an interview at Momijizaka Hall

Congratulations on the 60th Anniversary of the Kanagawa Prefectural Youth Center

Kanagawa Prefectural Youth Center, located on the lush, green Momijizaka slope.

Climbing the lush, leafy Momijizaka slope in Nishi Ward, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, you'll come across the Kanagawa Prefectural Youth Center. As one of the few comprehensive facilities for young people in Japan, it has been widely used by the residents of Kanagawa Prefecture since November 1962.

This interview with Ms. Sugihara, and the venue for the "What's SAMBASO - The Possibilities of Classical Performing Arts" event on July 23rd, will be the newly renovated "Momijizaka Hall." Equipped with a revolving stage, a small stage lift, and a temporary hanamichi (runway), it is perfect for showcasing theatrical and traditional performing arts. Look forward to the performance of "Sambaso," a fitting choice for the theater's grand opening!

Momijizaka Hall, which completed renovation work that began in 2022 (Reiwa 4).

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Kunio Sugihara
KUNIO official website https://kunio.me/
Born in Tokyo in 1982, raised in Chigasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture.
Director and stage designer, founder of KUNIO. Graduated from Kyoto University of Art and Design (now Kyoto University of the Arts) with a degree in Film and Performing Arts, and completed a Master's program in Art Studies at the same university's Graduate School. While still a student, he was active mainly in directing and stage design, and in 2004 he established the production company "KUNIO" as a platform to present his own works. At Kinoshita Kabuki, he directed 10 works, including "yotsuya-kaidan" (written by Tsuruya Nanboku) in May 2006, as well as "Sanbaso" and "Kanjincho". Starting next spring, he will also be an instructor at COCOON PRODUCTION's "Cocoon Actors Studio".

What's SAMBASO—The Potential of Classical Performing Arts

[Date] July 23, 2023 (Sunday) 14:00 start
*Doors open at 13:30
*Preschool children are not allowed to enter.
*Those with tickets for ages 29 and under are required to present proof of age on the day of the event.
*Due to the nature of the performance, there will be a waiting period after the show begins before you can enter.
*Customers using wheelchairs or those with mobility impairments should make reservations by phone.
Tel. 045-263-4475 [Kanagawa Prefectural Youth Center Hall Management Division]
[Venue] Kanagawa Prefectural Youth Center, Momijizaka Hall
[Price] All seats reserved (tax included)
General admission: 3,500 yen; Ages 29 and under: 1,500 yen
[Performer] Shigeyama Sennojō III
Kunio Sugihara
Yuichi Kinoshita
Flute: Ryo Noguchi
Small hand drum: Masahiro Sowa, Mitsuhiko Sumikoma, Takashi Mori
Taiko drums: Dai Kawamura
[Staff] Stage Director: Yukihiko Fujita
Web: Kobayashi Taxi
Advertising art: Takashi Horikawa
Cooperation: Doji Company, Kinoshita Kabuki
Production cooperation: Sayana Nakajima
Produced by: Sakai Hiroko
Producer: Miho Kobayashi
[Organizers] Kanagawa Prefecture and KUNIO, Inc.
[Inquiries] Kanagawa Prefectural Youth Center (Hall Management Division)
Tel. 045-263-4475 (Reception hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM)
KUNIO, Inc. info@kunio.me