Agent-Organized Activity Wisdom

KAMAKURA, KANAGAWA

鎌倉・神奈川県

The Sound for Kabuki -SHAMISEN-

A journey to encounter the traditional Japanese sounds
- The 250-year-old melody of "Ogie-bushi" woven by its successors -

A half-day shamisen experience inherited from the ancient city of Kamakura to enjoy the traditional Japanese rhythm

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Area Details

Kamakura, Kanagawa

Kamakura City in Kanagawa Prefecture is an ancient capital that flourished as a samurai's capital for over 800 years. Surrounded by the sea and mountains, Kamakura has been cherished as a dignified resort area where politicians, business leaders, and cultural figures built their villas.

Kabuki frequently takes place in Kamakura, and it has deep ties to Kabuki culture. Its elegance and tranquility still live on today.

OUGI offers you an experience where you can immerse yourself in the Japanese sounds by encountering "Ogie-bushi," shamisen music which is a type of classic Japanese music supporting Kabuki behind the scenes.

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Tour Details

Highlight of the tour

Tour contents

Overview of the tour

This 2.5-hour program includes a visit to the "Ogie-bushi" practice studio in Kamakura, where you will enjoy a live performance by Hisashige Ogie, a successor to the "Ogie-bushi" tradition. You will also receive direct instruction from Mr. Ogie, gaining a deeper understanding of the shamisen (a traditional Japanese stringed instrument), and even having the opportunity to play a piece of music, "Sakura Sakura."
A tour guide is also a shamisen player and will accompany you. They will provide language support and carefully and accurately convey the culture of the shamisen.
"Ogie-bushi" has supported the Kabuki stage with its sound and rythm for generations. It will be an excellent entry point for you to experience the world of the shamisen and Japanese culture.

Unique points

OUGI original experience

This shamisen experience will deliver the "heart of Japan" to you through the melodies and timing of the "Ogie-bushi" style. You will be able to enjoy Kabuki as an art not only to "see" but also to "listen to." Shamisen's sounds will tell you the unique Japanese concept “Mono no Ahare” meaning the beauty in the changing moments.
To enhance your shamisen experience, this tour includes a "storybook" summarizing the Kabuki and shamisen culture with their roots and the history of the "Ogie-bushi" and a certificate of completion at the end of the tour.
With a physical items, you will take home your memories and emotions in this tour.

Recommended Points

The local charms in the tour

The "Ogie-bushi" practice studio is located in Kamakura. It used to be a political center under the Kamakura Shogunate, and still retains traces of that era.
Kamakura became a resort area for cultural figures and political and business leaders. Such an environment has flourished a culture of enjoying refined music in a tranquil environment. "Ogie-bushi", a classical Japanese music style that emphasizes abstract and introspective expression, developed as a form of entertainment performed in private rooms. It created a new style of music characterized by restraint, delicacy, stylish and chic tastes.
If you combine a stroll through the Kamakura area with an experience of playing the shamisen with the "Ogie-bushi", you can immerse yourself more deeply in Japanese culture.

Tour Arrange

To join this tour, please apply from the button below.
For arranging the tour, please tell us your request details.

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Sample Tour Plan

The schedule is subject to change.

Day 1

Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

13:00
A Licensed Tour Guide will welcome you by the clock tower near the west exit of JR Kamakura Station
13:15
Visit at the practice studio
13:20 to
15:30/16:15
Shamisen Experience
- ・Opening
- ・Introduction of the instructor
- ・Samisen for Kabuki & History of “Ogie-bushi”
- ・Explanation of Shamisen as a stringed instrument
- ・Live performance by the successor
- ・Instruction of Movements & posture
- ・Play “Sakura Sakura” by Shamisen
- ・Closing
15:45/16:30
Leave at JR Kamakura Station
- *The finish time is subject to the number of participants

Tour Arrange

To join this tour, please apply from the button below.
For arranging the tour, please tell us your request details.

Ask for arrange the tour Apply for the tour

Participation Term＆Conditions

Specified Commercial Transaction Act

Tickets

Tour tickets are available from the link below.

Contact

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including tailor-made tours, interview requests and collaboration.

Contact

KAMAKURA, KANAGAWA

The Sound for Kabuki -SHAMISEN-