Guide DVD of Sato Kagura, or village kagura. Kagura is shinto theatrical dance, with many different types existing throughout Japan. The performance is by Gennosuke Matsumoto and his group.The tequniques and choreography of Sato Kagura are explained followed by comical performances such as 'Okame' and 'Hyottoko'. The DVD is presented in an easy to understand and fun way. Japanese only. Region Code 2. NTSC. 84 minutes.
Awa Odori, the Awa Dance Festival is one of the largest bon odori festivals in Japan, taking place in Tokushima, Shikoku. This is a lesson DVD of Awa Odori, demonstrating the basics of the male and female versions of the dance, the classic and modern styles and differing techniques of the common dances and the more 'noble' ones. Presented in an enjoyable and easy to understand way. Japanese only. Region Code 2. NTSC. 61 minutes. Price: £17.99
Learning the basics of tea making from Shuya Hisada from Omotesenke, one of the main schools of Japanese tea ceremony. Lessons on how to make usucha, the most common type of macha (the traditional type of powdered green tea used in tea ceremony). Learn about tea equipment, how to drink tea as a guest and a guide to the tea houses of Omotesenke. Japanese language only. 73 minutes. Region Code 2, NTSC.
Volume 2 on learning the basics of tea making from Shuya Hisada from the Omotesenke school of tea ceremony. Lessons on how to make koicha, the other type of macha, plus about the sweets used and how to drink tea. 71 minutes. Region Code 2 NTSC. Japanese only.
Price: £32.99
Volumes 1 and 2 of above titles together in a box.
DVD guide to Japanese pottery. This programme focuses on Arita, the cradle of porcelain manufacturing in Saga prefecture, after a potter from Korea discovered a high quality white porcelain mineral in Mount Arita-Izumi. Nearby Imari, on the coast of Imari Bay is a natural port and once the intermediary for the east-west exchange of porcelain. Bizen pottery is one of the six potteries of the middle ages, and one of the oldest schools of pottery in Japan. Bizen pottery is not glazed or painted, simply shaped and fired. A special soil is dug and refined, the potter forms the clay into a piece of pottery, the pattern created by both the potter and nature. NTSC Region Code 2, Japanese commentary only, filmed between 1996 and 2001. Price: £31.99
Second volume of the Japanese pottery DVDs. Situated in Gifu prefecture, Mino is a centre of ceramics production in Japan, renowned for its production of tea ceremony utensils. The styles of shino, oribe, yellow seto and black seto have been perhaps Japan's most distinguished ceramics since the Momoyama Period (1568-1615). In recent years, all different designs and wares have been made, Mino ceramics being not just focused on tea ceremony utensils. The city of Kasama in Ibaraki prefecture has long been known for its reddish brown and black glazed pottery. Kasama yaki was used for everyday objects, although few kilns today still concentrate on these kinds of utensils. Instead modern Kasama yaki is made in almost any style and colour of dinnerware to works of art. It is still however, noted for its quality. The pottery of nearby Mashiko dates back to the Jomon and Yayoi periods. It is fairly simple and rustic, but these days can be found in many styles. Music by Kitaro. NTSC Region Code 2, Japanese commentary only, filmed between 1996 and 2001.
The Oniyo festival is one of the three largest fire festivals in Japan. It takes place at Daizenji Tamatare Shrine in Kurume, Fukuoka, Kyushu, Southern Japan. It is believed to date back to 368 AD, and according to legend originated when an official took revenge on a nobleman by burning him with a firetorch. These days it is used to cleanse the shrine of evil spirits and is one of Japan's most spectacular festivals, captured brilliantly on this DVD. One of the highlights is when a team sets fire to one of six huge bamboo torches, over a metre in diameter, thirteen metres long and weighing over a ton. Before the first one is set ablaze, all other lights are distinguished, the only light coming from the one torch bearer. The men, numbering about 20 or so, are dressed in white loincloths and headbands. For about two hours the streets are awash with flames, reverberating with noise. To the sound of taiko drums and chants, a procession makes its way between the shrine and the river two times. Men chant wildly, rousing the evil spirits from the shrine adn leading it to the river to be cleansed. The festival winds down after the final procession brings the cleansed spirits back to the shrine. 60 minutes, filmed 7th January 2007. Price: £29.99
Filmed at six of Japan's most famous festivals; Kyoto Gion Matsuri, Aomori Nebuta Matsuri, Awaodori, Akita Kanto Matsuri, Omoji Gosan Okuribi (Kyoto) and Soma Nomaoi (Fukushima). A fascinating insight into matsuri (festivals) an integral part of Japanese cultural life and history. 60 mins.
Akira Yoshizawa (1911-2005) was a master of origami. He helped to raise origami from a hobby or a craft to a legitamate art form. He created some 50,000 pieces, and pioneered many new techniques. His origami was even exhibited at the Louvre in 1998. This fascinating DVD, a rare insight into origami, comes with English subtitles. Price: £32.99
Origami DVD that tries to bring out the fun of this ancient art, including making origami from bank notes as well as paper.
Kamiyama is Japan's greatest pantomime artist, and possibly the worlds' as he has won the World Cup Pantomime Festival. On this DVD he plays five characters, and comes with a special feature. Price: £25.99
