Walk of Light
Islander Theater: Short Version
Metal Engraving Experience
Walk of Light
Gotobansan
Art and Culture Celebration 2024
Held 22 September (Sun) – 5 October (Sat)
FEEL THE WAVES
BE THE WAVES
Taking eight centuries of formative Ama culture
And creating new culture to be shared for centuries to come
Program PDF▶︎
Announcing the second Gotobansan Art and Culture Celebration!
A time to feel the symbolic waves created by Retired Emperor Gotoba,
and his impact on the culture and history of the Oki Islands and the town of Ama.
A time to create new waves, unique creations from our present era.
Won’t you come share these moments with us?
Event Schedule
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09
07
EXPLORE OKI: Japanese Sword Event in Tokyo
Join us for a special two-day event in Tokyo, to promote the upcoming Gotobansan Art and Culture Celebration. The Celebration will be held 22 September to 5 October 2024 in the town of Ama in the Oki Islands, Shimane Prefecture, Japan.
“Gotobansan” affectionately refers to Emperor Gotoba, who lived during the Heian and Kamakura eras of Japanese history (late 12th century to mid-13th century).
Emperor Gotoba spent the latter half of his life in the Oki Islands—remote islands rich in nature and mystery.
Come get acquainted with the Oki Islands while having fun learning about the Japanese swords and poems Emperor Gotoba loved.
Date: Saturday 7th September 15:00 – 17:00
Venue: Sansakizaka Café (Yanaka, Tokyo)
Cost: 500 yen (tax incl.) *With fukugi tea, sweets from Ama.
Limit: 20 people *Priority given to the pre-registered.
EXPLORE OKI: Japanese Sword Event in Tokyo
Part I: The Town of Ama and Japanese Swords
Participants will hear from Shigeki Murao, Shinto priest of Oki Jinja Shrine; and Paul Martin, Japanese sword specialist hailing from the United Kingdom.
Part II: Japanese Sword Viewing
In Part II, participants view authentic swords up close, further delving into the fascinating world of Japanese swords.
09
08
EXPLORE OKI: Japanese Poetry Event in Tokyo
Join us for a special two-day event in Tokyo, to promote the upcoming Gotobansan Art and Culture Celebration. The Celebration will be held 22 September to 5 October 2024 in the town of Ama in the Oki Islands, Shimane Prefecture, Japan.
“Gotobansan” affectionately refers to Emperor Gotoba, who lived during the Heian and Kamakura eras of Japanese history (late 12th century to mid-13th century).
Emperor Gotoba spent the latter half of his life in the Oki Islands—remote islands rich in nature and mystery.
Come get acquainted with the Oki Islands while having fun learning about the Japanese swords and poems Emperor Gotoba loved.
Date: Sunday 8th September 15:00 – 18:30
Venue: Sansakizaka Café (Yanaka, Tokyo)
Cost: 500 yen (tax incl.) *With fukugi tea, sweets from Ama.
Limit: 15 people *Priority given to the pre-registered.
EXPLORE OKI: Japanese Poetry Event
Part I: Japanese Waka Poetry and Emperor Gotoba
We will hear from Shigeki Murao, Shinto priest of Oki Jinja Shrine, and Yūki Sakakibara, poet, connected via internet.
Part II: Workshop
Try writing your own traditional waka poem in this workshop, hosted by photo picture book author and photographer, Kitchen Minoru.
Finished poems will be displayed in the town of Ama during the Gotobansan Art and Culture Celebration. After matching poems with photos which inspired Ama attendees, new poems will be created in response.
A fun workshop for everyone—whether you’re interested in Japanese history and culture, or you’ve never heard about it. Come join us for an afternoon of Japanese swords and poetry, both essential parts of Japanese culture. We hope to see you there!
Yūki Sakakibara:
Graduated from Oki-Dozen High School, and studied Japanese poetry at the Nara University Department of Japanese Literature. Moved back to the town of Ama in the Oki Islands, working at the Emperor Gotoba Museum there. A poet herself, she helps manage tanka poetry events around town, and poetry tournaments for the Gotoba-in Kenshō program. Awards include an Imperial Palace Utakai Hajime Commendation (2021), Thirteenth Annual Kadokawa National Tanka Poetry Grand Prix, and Baba Akiko Poetry Prize Special Selection.
Kitchen Minoru:
Photo picture book author and photographer. Left the corporate world in 2005 to become a photographer, after being praised by photography pioneer Takashi Kijima.
Regularly transmits projects aimed at sharing the fascinating phenomena around him. Photo picture books include: Taisetsu na Gyunyu (Hakusensha), Asagao to Harukun (PHP Institute), and Hikōki ga Tobu mae ni (Texas Book Sellers）.
event
イベント
09
22
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10
05
OPEN ENTIRE CELEBRATION
Mobile Museum
The island where Gotobansan lived—and artifacts from the lives of the common people who live there now, in the town of Ama.
What are they made of?
How were they used?
And, what was life like 800 years ago?
We welcome you to visit different sites around the island, and imagine.
Dates and Venues:
•Sun 22nd – Tue 24th September: Hisuka Community Centre
•Thu 26th– Sat 28th September: Saki Community Centre
•Sun 29th September–Tue 1st October: Tengawa Hall (Hobomi Community Centre)
•Thu 3rd– Sat 5th October: Higashi Community Centre
•Sun 22nd September – Sat 5th October: Kinnya Monya Centre & Entô,Saki Primary School
Registration: No booking needed.
09
22
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10
05
OPEN ENTIRE CELEBRATION
Celebration Tour: Walking Gotobansan
(Gotobansan Art and Culture Celebration Tour & Overview)
We’ll be your guide to Celebration must-sees, life in the Oki Islands and Ama, and the culture and history here!
Dates and Venues:
•Sun 22nd & Mon 23rd September 13:30–14:30 near Oki Jinja Shrine
•Sat 28th September 17:00–18:00 near Hishiura Port and Entô *After the tour, we’ll take you to the Entô Mariage makeup show!
•Sun 29th September 13:30–14:30 near Oki Jinja Shrine *After the tour, we’ll take you to the Island Culture Conference!
•Mon 30th September & Tue 1st October 13:30–14:30 Hobomi area (Tenkawa Springs, Mobile Museum, etc.)
•Sat 5th October, times flexible.
** All tours start at the Emperor Gotoba Museum, except for 28 Sept tour, which meets at Hishiura Port.
Cost: Adults 1,000 yen (tax incl.) Children 500 yen (tax incl.)
Registration: No booking needed.
09
22
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09
24
Walk of Light
The Walk of Light is back—and with more locations!
Hold a mysterious ‘kodou’ orb in your hands. Watch as it glows to the rhythm of your own vibrations as you take a nighttime stroll along the island coast and around Oki Jinja Shrine.
Inscribe your natural thoughts on a natural canvas—on leaves and twigs you find, written with laser printer technology. All works to be displayed on site during the Gotobansan Art and Culture Celebration.
WORKSHOP
Dates: Sun 22nd– Tue 24th September, for three nights
Venue: Miho Jinja Shrine area, Oki Jinja Shrine
Cost: Free
Registration: Booking required. *If you arrive without a booking, you may still join if there is availability.
Please use this Registration Form.
INSTALLATION EXHIBIT
Dates: Thursday 26th September – Saturday 5th October
Venue: Ama (around town) *Exact location TBA.
Registration: No booking required.
09
23
Gotobansan Art and Culture Lessons for the Future
FOLKSONGS AND GOTOBANSAN
-Experience Oki Folksongs! -
MINYŌ EXPERIENCE
Minyō folksongs are a generations-old tradition in Ama, where lyrics about Emperor Gotoba remain popular among islanders. Acquaint yourself with Oki songs by singing along, and experiencing the Japanese musical instruments essential to these traditional songs. By doing so, you, in turn, will then carry on this tradition.
Date: Mon 23rd September (a holiday) 10:00 – 12:00
Venue: Ama Central Community Centre (Seminar Room, on ground floor)
Registration: Booking required.
Please use this Registration Form.
*You can also register by 20th Sep (Fri) using the QR code on the flyer.
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09
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POETRY PROGRAM
Responding with Words and Photos: Dry your tears, Gotobansan!
After reading poetry from Retired Emperor Gotoba, you will think about what it means to you, and create a “response” using photographs and words. It’s easy! Join photo picture book author Kitchen Minoru and express yourself by covering a poster with your choice of landscapes and phrases.
(Part 1) Explanation of Waka Poetry, pre-workshop with Kitchen Minoru
(Part 2) Photo tour of the island, hands-on workshop with Kitchen Minoru
(Part 3) Share your work with everyone
Dates: (Part 1) Sun 8th September; (Part 2) Mon 23rd Sep (a holiday) 13:00 – 15:30 or Tue 24th September 10:00 – 12:30; (Part 3) TBA
Venues: (Part 1) Online *In-Person Venues are the Sansakizaka Café in Tokyo, and the Emperor Gotoba Museum in Ama; (Part 2) Various Ama locations including the Emperor Gotoba Museum, Kinya Monya Centre, and the Mobile Museum; (Part 3) TBA
Registration: Part 2 requires Registration. * Limit of 10 people at a time.
09
28
Entô Mariage
During this makeup show, we think of the people in our lives—and we want this tradition of compassion to continue on the island, for years to come. And so, we pass the torch from Gotobansan to the future.
On a distant island, we find our stage— Entô, itself a symbolic island of fateful encounters. And to it we bring Mariage—a word meaning union, connection, or fusion—to create our live makeup event, Entô Mariage.
Date: Sat 28th September 18:00 *Venue opens at 17:30.
Venue: Entô Terrace *Or Banquet Room, if it rains.
Registration: No booking needed.
09
29
ISLAND CULTURE CONFERENCE
–What It Means to Connect Culture: Starting with Oki and Gotoba
‘Connecting Culture’ may be the overall theme of our Art and Culture Celebration...but, what does that mean, exactly? Here we have a platform for open discussion, where we welcome various guests with different roles who have done just that, using different methods. Join us for a lively discussion with multiple perspectives.
If you’re wondering why there’s a Gotobansan Art and Culture Celebration, you should definitely stop by!
PLANNED TOPICS
1. Culture in Everyday Ama Life
2. Examples of Art and Culture Events in Nearby Areas
3. Intersections of Art (the Arts), Society, and Ourselves
Date: Sunday 29th September 13:30
Venue: Ritō Kitchen Ama
Registration: Not required, but space limited to the first 35 people.
Guests: Takenori Miyamoto, Curator and Associate Professor, Tokyo University of the Arts; Kouki Watanabe, Executive Director of Art Kodou Shinji.
09
29
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30
Takumi Café: A Gathering of Japanese Sword Lovers
Japan is home to a tradition of craftsmanship. Artisans spend years honing their craft, in a world of compelling tales and beauty. The Nihontō Japanese sword is one of those mastered crafts. At “Takumi Café: A Gathering of Japanese Sword Lovers”, you’ll join masters of modern Nihontō-forging, as you explore the many expressions, wonders, and joys of Japanese swords.
Workshop: (PART 1) Imagine and draw a picture of your own Nihontō sword. *Copyright of pictures will belong to the Gotoba-in Kenshō Executive Committee and be used in events and promotional materials. (PART 2) Japanese sword viewing and review
TALK SHOW: “How We Became Enchanted with Japanese Swords” *Tentative title. Featuring Japanese Sword Smith, Teruhira Kamiyama, winner of both the METI Award and the MEXT Prize, the most prestigious award at the 12th Shinsaku Nihontō and Sword Craftsmanship Exposition; T. Takaiwa from the Culture Department of the Yasugi City Board of Education (former Wako Museum curator); and manga artist Kimiko Kamata as master of ceremonies.
Dates: Sun 29th & Mon 30th September 10:00 – *Ends around 12:30.
Venue: Ama Town Library (Tatami Room), located inside the Kaihatsu Centre
Cost: 1,000 yen (tax incl.)
Registration: Required. *Only the first 15 applicants accepted, per date. *Must be junior high school age and older.
Please use this Registration Form.
Exhibition: Drawings from this workshop will be displayed in Ama during the Art and Culture Celebration.
—Related Special Events—
EXPLORE OKI: Japanese Sword Event in Tokyo
Saturday 7th September @ Sansakizaka Café in Yanaka, Tokyo
Part I: The Town of Ama and Japanese Swords
Participants will hear from Shigeki Murao, Shinto priest of Oki Jinja Shrine, and Paul Martin, Japanese sword specialist hailing from the United Kingdom.
Part II: Japanese Sword Viewing
In Part II, participants view authentic swords up close, further delving into the fascinating world of Japanese swords.
10
05
Islander Theater: Short Version
Our motto is “theatre for anyone, anywhere: Islander Theater, Short Version!”
A fun, comical show about Gotobansan and islanders interacting via waka poetry and rice planting.
Date: Saturday 5th October 11:00 – 12:00
Venue: Mingu-kan Museum of Everyday Artifacts
Registration: No booking required.
