JCC 15th Anniversary Talk Series: Iwasaki Onikenbai
 Group Photo with Ambassador Hiroshi Ishikawa and JCC Director Akiko Kawabe.  Iwasaki Onikenbai troupe performing. |
On the evening of 11 April 2024, JCC had the pleasure of presenting Iwasaki Onikenbai during the fifth installation of the JCC’s 15th Anniversary Talk Series in collaboration with Hibikiya Singapore. Onikenbai is a traditional performance art that began as a ceremony to gratify the spirits of late ancestors and it gradually evolved to become a stylised and dramatic ritual to energise and cleanse the aura of the land.
Ambassador Hiroshi Ishikawa kickstarted the event by introducing the origins of Iwasaki Onikenbai, with roots from Kitakami in Iwate Prefecture of Northeastern Japan and a long history of over 1300 years. Audiences were then given an in-depth lecture of the Iwasaki Onikenbai by Ms Namiko Sakai of Hibikiya. Together with a live demonstration from dancers of the Iwasaki Onikenbai troupe, they learned about the historical origins, the significance of Onikenbai, the costume of the dancers and the musical instruments. In addition, some members of the audience even had the chance to try out the dance! |
 Ambassador Ishikawa opening the event. |
 Volunteers in the audience trying their hand at the dance. |
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Japan Creative Centre 4 Nassim Road, Singapore 258372 +65 6737 0434 / jcc@sn.mofa.go.jp http://www.sg.emb-japan.go.jp/JCC Nearest parking at Orchard Hotel & Delphi Orchard |
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