●Greetings

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In 2023, we will open "Manhattan Old Man" on the 8th of the new year. After studying in New York in 1993, he performed a trial performance of this work in 2006, and since 2007 it has been on stage.
Indeed, 17 years ago was the story of immigrant people living in Manhattan. However, as of 2021, Japan has become a major immigrant country with 2.52 million foreign residents and 1.72 million foreign workers.

It seems that the consciousness of "living together with people from other countries" has not yet developed among Japanese people. The mentality of the Japanese sees them as "outsiders," which is probably linked to the recent response of the Japanese Immigration Bureau.

Spirits approach and speak to people who are "physically" poor. It is they who bring to life their disappearing ancestors and ancient spaces in their native land. The spirit worship of this land is what gives rise to performing arts.

The stage of Noh is not the story of a winner, but the soul of a nameless loser who has been crushed by society as the main character (shite) and speaks to us.

I would like to express my heartfelt prayers at the beginning of the new year, and perform the performances with the words of Okina.

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● About the work

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The story begins when three elderly men of Hispanic, Japanese and African descent living in Manhattan, New York, meet their deaths. They left their homeland and moved to Manhattan, where they died in poverty and loneliness. Heaven welcomes the three old men, blesses them with the birth of an old man in Manhattan, and auspicious visits.

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■Original story/screenplay/starring: Makiko Sakurai

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●Cast/Staff

Shite "Okina": Makiko Sakurai

Waki "Flower Spirit" Eye: Akira Yoshimatsu

Statement: Yukana Yamaguchi

Face box and chorus: Masako Yoshida

Nohkan and Shinobue: Hiromi Kaneko

Kotsuzumi: Mochizuki Tazae

 

Mask: Shuta Kitazawa

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Design: Diminished Design Partners

Production/Operation: Maripla

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■Manhattan Okina 2023 Performance Overview

Date and time January 8 (Sun) 16:30 open 17:00 start

●Venue: Rakudoan

●Location: 2-16 Kanda Tsukasacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Price: 3,000 yen in advance, 3,500 yen on the day

​ *Priority reservation for members from 11/14, general sales from 11/21

Inquiries: Makiko no Kai Secretariat (makikoclub2022@gmail.com/ 090-9236-0836)

● Reservation: Application formhttps://forms.gle/PuqC1K7mZvsuRA94A

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●Access (From Rakudoan's website): Exit JR Kanda Station North or West Exit, turn left onto Kanda Keisatsu Dori (main street) and head west. Turn right at the corner of the third traffic light NTT Building and enter Chiyoda Komichi. Proceed with Kanda Sakurakan (Chiyoda Elementary School) on your left, then turn left at the next intersection (right corner of Ebisuya Taiwanese restaurant) (18th Street). You can see the signboard of Rakudo-an on the black door on the left side of the third building from the corner. The nearest subway station is Kanda on the Ginza Line, Awajicho on the Marunouchi Line, or Ogawamachi on the Shinjuku Line. Ginza Line GodAt Den station, take exit 1, 2 or 4. From the Ogawamachi/Awajicho subway line, turn south on Chiyoda Kodori between exits A1 and A2. After 4 blocks, turn right at the corner of Ichihachidori above and Rakudoan will be on your left.