Tokyo Design Week is a major annual event showcasing design from around the world. This year's theme is "interactive" and it will feature over 100,000 visitors. Events include the Interactive Exhibition, Interactive Workshop, Super Robot Exhibition, Robot Inspired Exhibition, 100 Creators Exhibition, and Team Lab Island. There will also be music-related events as part of South by Southwest Japan Nite. Tokyo Design Week 2015 runs from October 24 to November 3 at Meiji-Jingu Gaien in Tokyo.

1. I
S
D
I
G
N
E S
A
W
BEATS BY
BARAKAN
THE MULTIMEDIA
MAGIC MAN
THE AMAZING
RACE
TWILIGHT TAG
THROUGH TOKYO
GETTING
IN A TIFF
THE CITY GOES
CINEMATIC
Oct 2-15, 2015 Japan’s Nº1 English Magazine www.metropolisjapan.com 無料 PRICELESS

2. NON-SURGICAL TREATMENTS
SURGICAL TREATMENTS
REJUVENATE
YOURSELF WITH
THE BEST IN BEAUTY
TECHNOLOGY
Omotesando
KNK Bldg 3F 3-5-17, Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo.
1-min walk from Omotesando stn, A3 exit.
Tel: 03-5771-4114 Email: amc@akaiclinic.com
Clinic hours: 11AM~8PM (Mon~Sun)
Yokohama
Quadrifoglio 4F 5-14 Kinkocho, Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama.
1-min walk from Yokohama stn, North East exit.
Tel: 045-620-5745 Email: amc-skincare@akaiclinic.com
Clinic hours: 11AM~7PM (Tue~Fri) & 10AM~5PM (Sat & Hol)
www.akaiclinic.com
DR. HIDEMI AKAI
is a board-certified plastic
surgeon and an associate
professor of the department
of plastic, aesthetic and
reconstructive surgery at
Tokyo’s Showa University.
Dr. Akai trained at Harvard
Medical School and
Massachusetts General
Hospital before amassing over
twenty-five years of experience.
DR. KEIKO AKAI
is also a board-certified
plastic surgeon, and
a dermatologist.
The Akai Clinic offters
a range of
cosmetic-surgery
procedures, laser
treatments and skin care,
using state-of-the-art
equipment and the latest
techniques.
Quality of Akai Clinic
At Akai clinic, we only use products and technologies
approved by the FDA.
Cosmetic Surgery Laser TreatmentSkin Care
VAMPIRE LIFT
Activate your skin from within!
A treatment for wrinkles and sagging utilizing
your own PRFM and/or Fat & Stem cells!
Additional fee for anesthesia is required. Please contact the clinic for more information.
Other cosmetic procedures available. For fees and detailed information services, please refer to our homepage.
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Dermatologist.
We welcome email and phone inquiries

3. 06 19 21Barakan Can: The multimedia man on Live Magic’s rootsArt to Art: Tokyo Design Week brings out the creatives Rice Rice Paddy: Agriculture gets artistic
inside
Cover design: Julio Shiiki
8F Nishi-Azabu Sonic Bldg, 3-2-12 Nishi-Azabu,
Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0031 Tel 03-4588-2277
Fax 03-4588-2278 • www.metropolisjapan.com
METROPOLIS is Japan’s No.1 English magazine,
founded in 1994 and published for Japan’s
international community.
IN FOCUS
The skies may have dulled to grey these days, but at ground
level, Tokyo is vibrant with artistry. Various festivals and exhibits
throughout Tokyo celebrate a wide array of media, all cumulating
to form a visual spectacle for all. ’Tis the season for cinephiles,
as the Tokyo International Film Festival highlights the latest and
greatest; see what’s screening this year in our TIFF guide. Crav-
ing inspiration? There’s something for everyone at Tokyo Design
Week, where creatives from all over gather to show their work.
Meanwhile,experiencethecitylikeneverbefore;Tokyotransforms
into a playground as an international street game comes this way.
EDITOR’S
LETTER
OCT 2-15, 2015 • #1123
Reach over 60,000 Metropolis readers. Advertise: sales@metropolisjapan.com; http://metropolisjapan.com/advertise
メトロポリスは20年以上に渡り、訪日•関東在住の外国人へ無料で配布している英字総合情報誌です。英語圏の方々に向け
た情報発信や宣伝広告の機会を行政機関や日本企業に提供しております。お問い合わせ: 03-4588-2277
Metropolis Magazine @MetropolisTokyo editor@metropolisjapan.comMetropolisTokyo
© Copyright 2015 Japan Partnership Inc. The views expressed herein are not necessarily those of the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to edit or delete any advertisement without notice.
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Neil Butler EDITORIAL Christopher Bryan Jones (Editor-In-Chief) Martin Leroux (Editor) Momoko Mochizuki
(editorial assistant) Tim Young (Proofreader) CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Dan Grunebaum (Entertainment) Don Morton (Movies) C.B. Liddell
(Arts) Samuel Thomas (Fashion) Nancy Laure (Editorial Intern) DESIGN Kohji Shiiki (Art Director) Davi Azevedo (Graphic Designer)
Erin Hope (Design Intern) WEB Minh Douangprachanh (Digital Manager) PRODUCTION Helen Langford (Production Assistant)
ADVERTISING Akane Ochi, Karl Nakashima, Niki Kaihara (Sales Managers) Ai Hosokawa (Sales Assistant) Keiko Kanda (Sales Intern)
ADMINISTRATION/ACCOUNTING Keiko Adachi (Administration Manager) Jason Taylor (Adminstration/Classifieds) Chien Irene,
Marina Miyazaki (Admin Interns) Cai Wenwen (Support Staff) IT Guilhem Malfre (IT/Web Developer)
SEND IN YOUR BEST PHOTOS FOR OUR OCT 30 ISSUE. DEADLINE OCT 9. metropolisjapan.com/focusGET PRINTED!
Search over 42 million photos
✓ 10 free startercredits with registration
✓ 25% credits bonus on purchase
www.123rf.com/metropolisPromo Code: Metropolis
Susuki grass in
Shokakuin Temple,
by Allan Murphy
03

4. Down
1. Oxygen
3. Dead body
4. Advertisement
6. Sold out
7. Foot
9. Cow
10. North
upfront
ANSWERS AT meturl.com/kanacross
K A N A C R O S S
1 2 3
4
5 6
6
7 8 9 10
11 8 12
A
D
さ
Solution:
A B C D
C
Across
1. A walk or stroll
2. Social status
5. Creativity
7. Autumn
8. Air
11. Trial or ordeal
12. Tongue
B 123RF
LINGOIST
JP Sumimasen. Penchi wa doko ni arimasu ka?
EN Excuse me. Where can I find pliers?
JP San-kai ni arimasu.
EN They’re on the third floor.
JP Erebētā wa arimasu ka?
EN Is there an elevator?
JP Hai, kado wo magatta tokoro ni arimasu.
EN Yes, it’s right around the corner.
THE SEARCH IS OVER
If you’re at the store looking for something in particular, but are having
trouble trying to navigate your way to your destination, don’t be afraid
to ask for help! Use this lesson to cut down on all the wandering, and
find what you want!
04

5. TO-DO LISTgraphic design galleries
3
UNTIL OCT 18
YOKOHAMA OKTOBERFEST
Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse keeps the beer flowing
during its 17-day Oktoberfest celebration, featuring over
100 different beers including the German “Augustiner
Lagerbier Hell,” limited to 100 servings each day. Until
Oct 18, 12-9:30pm on weekdays; 11am-9:30pm on
weekends & hols. Entry fee ¥300. Yokohama Red Brick
Warehouse. Bashamichi or Nihon-Odori.
www.yokohama-akarenga.jp/en
TOP
EDITOR’S PICK
Photo courtesy of Smash
© Loock Galerie / Deutsche Bank Collection
OCT 15-23
RADU STANCA NATIONAL
THEATRE: GULLIVER’S
TRAVELS AND OIDIP
Directed by Silviu Purcărete, Tokyo Metropolitan
Theatre presents Gulliver’s Travels and OIDIP,
produced by Romania’s Radu Stanca National Theatre.
In Romanian with Japanese and English subtitles.
Gulliver’s Travels: Oct 15, 7pm; Oct 17-18, 2pm. OIDIP:
Oct 21-22, 7pm; Oct 23, 2pm. ¥4,500-5,500. Tokyo
Metropolitan Theatre. Ikebukuro. Tel: 0570-010-296.
www.geigeki.jp
OCT 11
KINGS OF HOUSE
The official title of this daytime outdoor dance
fest—“Kings of House NYC in Tokyo”—is a mouthful.
But the lineup lives up to its billing: David Morales,
Louie Vega, and Tony Humphries (pictured) are three
lynchpins of the emotive, hands-in-the-air style of
electronic music that emerged from legendary New
York venues like Palladium, Sound Factory, and Twilo
in the late ’80s and ’90s. Unlike the the current crop
of EDM laptop tweakers, these guys even know how
to use a turntable. Dan Grunebaum
Oct 11, 12pm, ¥6,000 (adv). Harumi Passenger Ship
Terminal. Kachidoki. www.kohnyctokyo.com
OCT30
COURTNEY BARNETT
Courtney Barnett is a Melbourne indie rocker who pens
drily-humored albums like How to Carve a Carrot into a
Rose and Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I
Just Sit. She’s made quite a splash on the Western rock
circuit, and with her upcoming Japan debut she hopes
to do the same on this edge of the Pacific. Will she
appear at next summer’s Fuji Rock Festival? Barnett’s
Tokyo and Osaka gigs could make the difference. Oct
30, 7pm, ¥5,500. Liquidroom. Ebisu. Tel: 03-3444-
6751. www.liquidroom.net
OCT 11-12
JIYUGAOKA MEGAMI MATSURI
The Jiyugaoka Megami Matsuri, or Goddess Festival,
attracts many visitors each year with live music, food
booths, and various other events. Oct 11-12, 12pm. Free.
Around Jiyugaoka Station. Jiyugaoka.
www.jiyugaoka-abc.com
Ginza Graphic Gallery
Established in 1986, Ginza Graphic Gallery
holds exhibitions and lectures, and produces
publications, that aim to provide the public
with the opportunity to experience the art of
graphic design. DNP Ginza Bldg 1F, 7-7-2 Ginza,
Chuo-ku. Ginza. Tel: 03-3571-5206.
www.dnp.co.jp/gallery/ggg_e
Advertising Museum Tokyo
Learn about the history of advertising in Japan,
and see award-winning advertisements from
Japan and overseas. The library provides access
to over 15,000 publications about advertising
and marketing. Caretta Shiodome, 1-8-2
Higashi-Shinbashi, Minato-ku. Shimbashi or
Shiodome. Tel: 03-6218-2500.
www.admt.jp/en
Tokyo Midtown Design Hub
Created to act as a dynamic central network
for design that fuels new movements, Tokyo
Midtown Design Hub spreads knowledge of
design through exhibitions, seminars, and
publications. Midtown Tower 5F, 9-7-1 Akasaka,
Minato-ku. Roppongi. Tel: 03-6743-3776.
http://designhub.jp/en
Miwa Yanagi, My Grandmothers: MINEKO, 2002 C-print
87.5 x 120 cm
UNTIL JAN 11
TIME PRESENT:
PHOTOGRAPHY FROM THE
DEUTSCHE BANK COLLECTION
This exhibition presents a panorama of photographic
art made between 1970 and 2010 from the Deutsche
Bank Collection, which ranks as one of the world’s most
important collections of contemporary art on paper.
The exhibition hopes to cast a light on contemporary
photographic expression as it exists within the ever-
accelerating wave of globalization. Until Jan 11, 11am-5pm
(until 8pm on Wed). Closed Mon. ¥500-1,100. Hara
Museum of Contemporary Art. Shinagawa.
www.haramuseum.or.jp
OIDIP
05

6. feature
TOKYO
DESIGN
WEEKare the Interactive Exhibition and the Interac-
tive Workshop, which allows the next genera-
tion of visual artists to share their visions. Think
they want you to be interactive? You’re right.
There are also a number of robot-related
sessions on the calendar, including the Super
Robot Exhibition, a display of the latest tech-
nologies in robotics and devices that help make
our lives better; and the Robot Inspired Exhibi-
tion, which center on the genres of CG printing,
graphics, and illustration, and highlights the
work of graphic designers, fashion designers,
and sound artists that are, as the name implies,
inspired by our mechanical friends.
Don’t feel like being assimilated? There’s
E
veryone loves great design. For the past
three decades, Tokyo Design Week has
been bringing together some of the
world’s best work. More than 100,000
visitors partake in the festivities each year, and
the organizers are expecting 115,000 for the
30th anniversary event at Meiji-Jingu Gaien
from October 24 to November 3.
Merging architecture, interior design, prod-
uct design, and graphic design, TDW always
has an exciting lineup—and 2015 is no different.
The theme for this year’s event is “interactive”,
and the offerings will be divided into four main
categories: design, art, fashion, and music.
Among the highlights tied into the theme
草間彌生 七色の富士より「生命は限りもなく、宇宙に燃え上って行く時」
06

7. also the 100 Creators Exhibition, a place
where aspiring amateurs can show off their
skills, and Team Lab Island, where adults and
children can explore the essence and fun of
art together.
Those familiar with the wildly popular South
by Southwest (SXSW) interactive music and
film festival held each March in Austin, Texas,
will be interested in the South by Southwest
Japan Nite. This special event will take place
as part of Tokyo Design Week on October 24
to 25, and November 1 to 2.
There are many, many more events on the
slate, such as the Young Creators Exhibition
that comes in four separate flavors: design, art,
fashion, and music, plus lots of company exhibi-
tions. The TDW website has all the details that
just won’t fit into our pages. Check it out and
get interactive!
Tokyo Design Week 2015. October 24-No-
vember 3 (event site closed October 29).
Meiji-Jingu Gaien. Tickets at the door: adults
¥3,000, university students ¥2,000, high
school students ¥1,500, junior high school
students ¥1,000; online tickets ¥2,500.
Shinanomachi, Gaiemmae, or Aoyama-
itchome. http://tokyodesignweek.jp
Ross Lovegrove, “WATERWORLD”
07

8. photographer Dennis Stock reveals
the journey the two made together
two weeks before the famed actor’s
death. Directed by Anton Corbijn.
Starring Dane DeHaan, Robert Pat-
tinson, Joel Edgerton, Alessandra
Mastronardi, and Ben Kingsley.
KABUKIZA THEATRE
SPECIAL NIGHT
This alternative event that debuted
at last year’s TIFF returns with a new
35mm print of Akira Kurosawa’s
They Who Step on the Tiger’s
Tail, an adaptation of the Kabuki
play Kanjinchō. As a special treat,
renowned Kabuki actor Kataoka
Ainosuke will perform on stage. The
screening will be preceded by a
performance of Ame no Gorō fea-
turing actor Kataoka Ainosuke.
October 26.
feature
TOKYO
INTERNATIONAL
FILM FESTIVAL
28THE
TH
The Tokyo International
Film Festival will screen
over 200 movies this year.
Almost all Japanese and
foreign-language movies
will include English
subtitles. Here are some
of the highlights:
THE WALK
This year’s festival opens with Robert Zemeck-
is’ biographical drama about French high-wire
artist Philippe Petit. While twelve people have
walked on the moon, only Petite has ventured
where he did in 1974. Overcoming odds, be-
trayals, dissension, and countless close calls,
he executes a seemingly impossible plan in
this emotional, character-driven story. Star-
ring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ben Kingsley, and
Charlotte Le Bon. Japanese premiere.
EVEREST
Inspired by the events surrounding an attempt
to reach the summit of Mount Everest, director
Baltasar Kormákur’s documentary follows the
journey of two different expeditions that push
themselves beyond their limits in the face of a
fierce snowstorm. Starring Jason Clarke, Josh
Brolin, John Hawkes, Robin Wright, Emily
Watson, Keira Knightly. Sam Worthington,
Michael Kelly, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Naoko
Mori. Japanese premiere.
LIFE
Taking its name from the iconic American mag-
azine, Luke Davies’ biographical drama about
the friendship between James Dean and Life
MOBILE SUIT
GUNDAM
It’s been almost 35 years
since the release of Mobile
Suit Gundam, and since
then this monumental work
of robot animation has
influenced many filmmak-
ers and their stories, including 2013’s
Pacific Rim. This event marks the
first time TIFF has held a special
session for animation spe-
cific to a single series. Other
Gundam TV episodes,
films, and shorts will also
be screened. Directed by
Yoshiyuki Tomino. Star-
ring some badass robots.
08

9. YOU’RE NOT YOU
Based on Michelle Wildgen’s novel of
the same name, Jordan Roberts and
Shana Feste’s screenplay follows the
adventures of a college student with a
thwarted dream and a classical pianist
with ALS. It’s a touching story about
the bonds of those from different back-
grounds and making the most of the
short time left. Directed by George C.
Wolfe. Starring Hilary Swank, Emmy
Rossum, Josh Duhamel, Loretta
Devine, and Jason Ritter. Japanese premier.
TERMINAL
The festival ends fittingly with a film about a
final stop that becomes the starting point of a
new journey. For a pair who abandoned their
own lives, an encounter in Kushiro, Hokkaido,
develops into a moving drama of renewal.
Based on Shino Sakuragi’s masterpiece Hotel
Royal, which won the 149th Naoki Prize in 2013.
Directed by Tetsuo Shinohara. Starring Koi-
chi Sato, Tsubasa Honda, and Machiko Ono.
World premiere.
SEASONS
Jacques Perrin and Jacques Cluzaud, French
directors of the 2009 Disneynature film
Oceans, return to land in this documentary
that traces the development of life on Earth,
taking you back to the last Ice Age and fol-
lowing the evolution of nature up to modern
times. A fascinating account of the history of
living things, shown on the big screen. Star-
ring assorted creatures of the forest. World
premiere.
WOMAN IN GOLD
This joint U.S.-U.K. film tells the true story of Jew-
ish refugee Maria Altmann, who sued the Aus-
trian government to reclaim a portrait of her aunt
that was stolen by the Nazis. The legal battle
revolves around Gustav Klimt’s iconic painting
Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I, and made it all
the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. Directed
by Simon Curtin. Starring Helen Mirren, Ryan
Reynolds, Daniel Brühl, Katie Holmes, and
Elizabeth McGovern. Japanese premiere.
For more information about this year’s festival, visit http://2015.tiff-jp.net.
The Walk: ©2015 TriStar Pictures, Inc. All Rights Reserved.; EVEREST: © Universal Pictures; LIFE: Photo Credit:Caitlin Cronenberg, ©See-Saw Films; 27th TIFF Presents Special Night Event at Kabukiza Theatre: ©2014 TIFF; Ame no Goro (Goro in
the rain): ©SHOCHIKU; Mobile Suit Gundam 00 the Movie -A wakening of the Trailblazer-: ©SOTSU, SUNRISE; SEASONS: © 2015 Galatée Films - Pathé Production - France 2 Cinéma - Pandora Film - Invest Image 3 - Rhône-Alpes Cinéma - Winds
- Pierre et Vacances; WOMAN IN GOLD: ©THE WEINSTEIN COMPANY / BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION / ORIGIN PICTURES (WOMAN IN GOLD) LIMITED 2015; You're Not You: ©2014 Daryl Prince Productions, Ltd. All Rights Reserved.;
TERMINAL: ©2015 Shino Sakuragi, Shogakukan/Terminal Partners
09

10. food&drink
¥¥ EN/JP
Cupped-confectionery cravings in London have long
been sated by Lola’s Cupcakes, with their fresh,
handcrafted baked goods. Their playful offerings
range from cupcakes to cakes, personalizable in
ingredients as well as theme and design. This year,
the British makers of bite-sized happiness voyage
over to the other side of the world, setting up camp
in Harajuku’s Cascade department store. London
favorites Red Velvet, Carrot, and Chocolate Heaven
are on offer, as are Japan exclusives Tokyo Vanilla,
Matcha, Blood Orange, and Mont Blanc. They come
in sizes tiny (¥250-¥300) and regular (¥480-¥560).
Opens Oct 3. www.lolascupcakes.co.jp
There’s a delicious scent wafting through the hipster
haven that Kichijoji has become. It’s still undetermined
exactly whose mother has been cooking up the sugary
storm, but newly opened Mama’s Waffle serves
up bite-size versions of the Belgian treat. Utilizing
homemade butter, these waffles are creamy, fluffy, and
sure to sate any sweet tooth. The delectable flavors on
the menu are as varied as the fashion outside, ranging
from Chocolate, Maple, and Lemon to Sugar Butter,
Salted Butter Caramel, and Fig. The prices are also
tiny: ¥160 to ¥240, depending on the flavor. Get your
waffle on! 1-1-3 Kichijoji Hommachi, Musashino-shi.
Kichijoji.
RESTAURANT
N
o journey on the (rail)road is complete
without an ekiben—packed meals bought
at the station. You might even say it’s one
of most fun things about traveling.
For many Yokohama residents, a longtime
ekiben favorite is Kiyoken’s shumai bento, with
its yellow wrapping and specialty shumai pork
dumplings, delicious even at room temperature.
Born in Yokohama, Kiyoken has its main
branch can be found in the very heart of the city:
Yokohama Station. Although Kiyokoen is known
mainly for its shumai, here you’ll find three differ-
ent restaurants, each serving different cuisine:
Chinese restaurant Kakyu, Italian restaurant Il
Saggio,andMiddleEasternbazaar-themedbeer
restaurant Alibaba.
If you’re simply looking for a place to enjoy
an afternoon dessert—or are in a very English
mood and want to engage in elegant tea drink-
ing—head to Kiyoken’s tea
salon, The Arboretum.
Connoisseurs not easily
satisfied with the average
Earl Grey or Darjeeling need
not worry; The Arboretum of-
fers 27 varieties of tea, which
youcanpairwithasandwich,
cake, or scones. The salon
has a relaxed and comfort-
able atmosphere with cozy
seating, feeling almost like a
hotel lounge.
For the sweet-toothed,
the cake set (¥1,000) al-
lows you to select your cake of choice from a
tray of equally delicious-looking pastries. The
caramel cheesecake has a light, mousse-like
consistency, and comes topped with flakes of
cheese-flavored biscuits that add a nice crunchy
texture to the cake.
For those feeling especially fancy, there are
the afternoon tea sets, which come with small
cakes, sandwiches, and other sweet and savory
mini-foods served on a tiered stand. If you really
wanttotreatyourself,youcanorderthePremium
Afternoon Tea Set (¥2,050, limited to 20 sets a
day),whiletheAfternoonTeaSet(¥1,450,limited
to 50 sets a day) still lets you experience an el-
egant tea break on a reasonable budget.
The offerings found in these sets change
every month. The Afternoon Tea Set comes
with a caramel brownie cake, mango pudding,
momochacha (green tea pudding with sweet
potato and tapioca), a scone, bacon and gnoc-
chi in a creamy white sauce, and sandwiches.
The Arboretum
TEXT AND PHOTOS BY MOMOKO MOCHIZUKI
The Arboretum is a great, relaxing place to
spend some time sipping tea in true English
fashion.
If you’re stopping by before a trip on the train,
make sure to grab a shumai bento before you
head on your way, and you’ll be set!
Open 10am-9pm. 2-13-12 Takashima, Nishi-ku,
Yokohama. Yokohama. Tel: 045-441-8765.
www.kiyoken.com
If donuts are your bag but the choices at the usual
chain shops aren’t tantalizing your palate the way
they used to, Camden’s Blue Star Donuts—an
American chain, simply called Blue Star Donuts in its
motherland—offers unique flavors found only there.
Located in Daikanyama, the store offers the likes of
Passionfruit Cocoa Nib, Coffee Cream Cheese, Matcha
Latte, Raspberry Pistachio, and the Apple Brandy
Fritter (an alcoholic treat; eat responsibly). The oddest
offering on the menu, however, is the Maple Bacon,
which is exactly what its name suggests. The donuts
range from ¥210 to ¥380. Log Road Daikanyama,
No. 2, 13-1 Daikanyama, Shibuya-ku. Daikanyama.
PhotobyMubitaMambwe
10

11. ¥ EN/JP
A
modern, magnificent, and unexpect-
ed place exists in the backstreets of
Roppongi.Withbeautifularchitecture
anddesignfromtheoutside,theven-
ue’sinteriordisplaysthought-provokingart
thatcontinuouslyflowsthroughthespace,
via temporary exhibitions.
The National Art Center offers art lov-
ers an opportunity to enrich their cultural
sensitivity while feeding on the “art of the day”—
their latest temporary exhibition, letting them
bask in sophistication after spending time in this
design-rich, soulful environment.
Located on the first floor, the casual Cafe Co-
quille commands attention with its tall ceilings,
open space, and glass windows. The spacious
area feels liberating, but makes one feel small
in comparison to the greatness of the works
on display. The feeling can be likened to being
caught in the tall bamboo groves of Kyoto, amid
a torrential rain in spring. One can get lost in the
art and the grand design.
The relaxed vibe makes Coquille accessible,
and the casualness exuded is at odds with the
elegance, exquisiteness, and grand architecture
of the establishment.
Among the art, visitors can enjoy a coffee and
absorballthecreativityofartistspastandpresent.
It’s an opportunity to ponder the works, for those
seeking a quiet respite. It’s rare to have this type
of cafe and venue in Tokyo, where space is at a
premium.
Packed with seasonal goodies and nutrition-rich
foods such as almonds and olive oil, this is the
smoothie for autumn! Because the pumpkin was
organic, this recipe leaves the skin unpeeled—
but you can opt to take it off. Pumpkin seed oil
can be substituted for olive oil, and maple syrup
can be used in place of honey.
Cooking time: 10 min
Servings: 1 tall glass
INGREDIENTS
• 1 medium-sized banana, peeled and frozen
• 100g cooked pumpkin
• 1/3 cup almonds, raw and unsalted
recommended
• 100cc soy milk or milk
• 2 tbs unsweetened yogurt
• 2 tsp honey
• 1 tsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 pinch cinnamon powder
DIRECTIONS
1. Chop almonds, putting aside 1 tbs of the nuts.
2. Cut frozen banana and pumpkin into medium-
sized pieces.
3. Combine fruit, the remaining almonds, soy
milk, yogurt, honey, and olive oil in a tall glass.
4. Blend batch with a hand blender until smooth.
5. Pour into a glass. Sprinkle with the tablespoon
of chopped almonds and cinnamon powder.
Pumpkin Almond
Smoothie
RECIPE AND PHOTO BY RIEKO SUZUKI
RECIPE
Located a short walk from both Jiyugaoka and
Okusawa stations, Mellow Brown Coffee serves
expertly brewed cups of java and their signature
“waffle pancakes” that boast the best of both worlds:
a crispy waffle skin with a soft, almost soufflé-like
interior. A great spot to enjoy a slow weekend
brunch, the coffee house also serves the ever-
popular eggs Benedict, and plenty of variations of
the waffle pancakes. 2-12-10 Okusawa, Setagaya-ku.
Okusawa. Tel: 03-5726-9805. www.ufs.co.jp/
brand/mbc
America’s favorite ice cream-making duo, Ben &
Jerry’s, is offering a new, limited-edition flavor
available only in Japan. Named Lemont. Fuji after
the country’s symbolic mountain, it contains a
unique mixture of sliced Fuji apple and chunky bits
of cinnamon cookies mixed into a Setouchi lemon-
flavored ice cream, making it an all-American frozen
dessert with a Japanese twist. Omotesando Hills 1F,
4-12-10 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku. Omotesando. Tel:
03-5772-1724. www.benjerry.jp
Rieko Suzuki
Rieko blogs bilingual recipes at
http://meturl.com/ruby
RESTAURANT
Coquille serves coffee and snacks, the lat-
ter of which include sandwiches (from ¥480),
Häagen-Dazs ice cream mini-tubs (¥300),
poundcakes (¥280), and baked goods such as
currybread(¥220),steamedbuns,andseasonal
specials.
Sipping your coffee, you can make notes of
your thoughts and reflections of the exhibition
on a serviette, as would a true art aficionado. Or
sketchyourowndesigninamomentofcreativity.
Many come just to drink their cappuccinos in
silenceandgazethroughthewindow.Thechairs
stare outward toward the tall glass panes. The
natureandthelushgreeneryarearelaxingoasis
fortheeyes.Evenonadaythatwasdreary,rainy,
and windy, the view was serene.
I held my cappuccino and did the same,
pondering the art, the photo exhibition, the ar-
rival of autumn, and the luxurious space the café
provides, feeling as small as an ant nestled in an
underground acorn.
Cafe Coquille. 1F National Art Center, 7-22-
2 Roppongi, Minato-ku. Roppongi. Tel:
03-5770-8164.
Cafe Coquille
BY VESNA KEVORK
PhotobyMomokoMochizuki
11

12. ON AIRPODCAST
CHECK MORE» http://metropolisjapan.com/on-air
THE PERFECT SPACE FOR YOUR
PRIVATE PARTY OR EVENT
Flexible plans for groups of 20 people and up.
Example: 2-hour plan including 5 dishes +
all-you-can-drink for ¥3,000/person
Call 090-9951-8438 to
arrange your event.
B1F.B2F 2-17-3. Shibuya.Shibuya-ku.Tokyo 150-0002 Japan
http://socialclubtokyo.com
OCTOBER
29THURSDAY
ELETOKYO
AZABU-JUBAN
AT
HALLOWEEN
GLITTERBALL
More info at metropolis.co.jp/glitterball2015
12

13. city life
Allphotosbythisisbossi/WashingtonDCJourney
D
usk falls. The streets, tame during the
day, now come alive with neon lights
and bustling crowds—a transformation
seen daily yet reduced to a backdrop for
people’s treks home. For one night, however, the
rules change. The city you call home becomes
your playground: a maze you must navigate with
stealth and speed as you rush to specific land-
marks,trailedbythosedeterminedtodisruptyour
quest. The only tools at your disposal are your
knowledge of the city, and your own two feet.
Will you survive?
That’s the rush experienced in Journey to the
EndoftheNight,astreetgamethatwascreatedin
CaliforniabySFZero,acollectiveofurbanplayers
whoorganizeamultitudeofsimilarcitygameson
their San Francisco turf.
Equal parts scavenger hunt, large-scale tag,
and The Amazing Race, the game has a group of
“runners”individuallyrushingtosixcheckpoints,
the game,” says Aptekar. “It’s a decent premise;
it doesn’t rely on any particular cultural themes. It
seems to work everywhere.”
“OneofthechallengesforTokyo,”shecontin-
ues, “is it’s so dense that for people to find their
way around … there’s not as many easy routes.
You have to wind your way more,” says Roberts.
“The other thing is, there’s so many different
routes that people could take. If they take the
train from checkpoint to checkpoint, it’s hard for
chasers to know which one to use.”
Some previous installments have spiced up
their games with the application of themes. The
2011SanFranciscoJourney,heldnearHalloween,
tookonazombietone,whichhadchasersplaying
the role of the undead. Last year’s Journey in
Columbus, Ohio, played on the Creole werewolf
mythology, inspired by the novel Hagridden.
Likewise, the Tokyo Journey—which com-
mences at Shiba Park—will don a theme relevant
to its business-centric host city. Runners
will assume the roles of stalwart
salarymen, racing to clear a
proposal with the six kaicho
(“chairmen”) waiting at the
checkpoints.Unfortunate-
ly,agroupofprofit-hungry
bucho (“managers”) trails
after them, eager to steal
thecreditfortheproposal.
The challenges at the
checkpoints will also fit the
theme.
Beyond Journey, Roberts
hopes to bring more street games to
Tokyo, starting with her Meetup group, “Tokyo
Urban Street Game Players.”
“Theappeal[ofstreetgames]isgettingpeople
toreconsideranareatheyalreadyknew,andsee
different sides of it,” she says. “And also to get
people to think more of the possibilities of things
they can do.”
Journey to the End of the Night: Tokyo.
Oct 17, 7pm; expected to last 3-4 hours.
Shiba Park, Minato-ku. Free registration;
donations appreciated to fund game.
Find out more at www.facebook.com/
TokyoJourney and www.ichaseyou.org;
register at www.toky0.org.
going only on foot or by public transport; while
the other group—called “chasers”—attempts to
stop them in their tracks. Upon arrival, run-
ners are asked to complete specific
tasks before they can continue.
If the runners are caught,
they become chasers. In
the end, the runners that
survive till the end win, as
do the chasers that catch
the most runners.
“It’s remarkably like
playing a video game,”
comments Nicole Aptekar,
a San Francisco artist who
partook in the first-ever Journey.
Since its first running in San Fran-
ciscoin2006,Journeyhasspreadto17countries
and is played in cities around the U.S. and as far
away as Hong Kong, Sydney, Vienna, Berlin,
Gothenburg, and Ljubljana.
“It’s a game that’s meant to take you out of
your comfort zone, break you away from your
friends, and get you to interact with people you
haven’tmetbefore,”saysRachelRoberts,whois
organizing Tokyo’s first-ever installment, taking
place in October.
While many street games are independent of
their environment, Journey is unique in that the
setting significantly alters the gameplay.
“Every place has its own style that works with
JOURNEY TO THE
END OF THE NIGHTThe international street game hits Japan
BY MARTIN LEROUX
13

14. Fashion
fashion fix BY SAMUEL THOMAS, FASHION EDITOR
A
t the extreme end of the spectrum, good
fashiongivesyoufully-formedcharacters
to play with. Designers offer complete
worlds to romp around in, and of course,
a fitting outfit in which to do it. The concept of
a character creating an actor was the theme of
theCharaCharaArea,anewadditiontoTokyo’s
most prestigious fashion trade show “Rooms,”
recentlyheldintheYoyogiNationalGymnasium.
Setting the mood of the area was Sagano-
suke Reichel, whose grotesquely cute style
has long reverberated over the city, deco-ing
everything in its wake, from bikes to daruma.
Leading the lineup was new brand Lactose
fromAmericanBrandonReierson,whoscooped
the prestigious Kameyama Award with his first
full collection. Entitled “Fashiolodeon,” the col-
lection explored the Nickelodeon cartoon uni-
versewithaprint-heavycollectionthatlookedat
nostalgiaforchildhood,andwhyitexertsahold
on us even in adulthood. We seem to strive to
be something new; at the same time, we cannot
shakehowimportantourformativeexperiences
in childhood are. Moreover, do we ever really
want to let go of our childhood?
The depth on offer clinched the award in
what was otherwise a light-hearted trip back to
Characterwith
PhotosbySamuelThomas
Dario
Lactose
MeeWee Dinkee
the 1990s, featuring the designer’s own lineup
of characters who could have stepped out of
the cartoons playing on the booth’s suitably
retro CRT television, as well as the era’s fashion
Saganosuke
Reichel
14

15. essentials—includingoversizedhockey
jumpers and Buffalo platforms.
Elsewhere, Taiwan-based Dario—
who enjoys a fanatical following in Ha-
rajuku—offeredadreamyworldpacked
withtranslucentfabricsandtransparent
plasticsthatveeredawayfromthebody,
or featured carefully placed cutouts, all
of which rendered the person clothed,
but vulnerable. The effect was particu-
larlynoticeableintheshowpieceitems,
where oversized ensembles seemed
to stand away from the wearer’s body
entirely, creating silhouettes not unlike
charactermascotsbutstillrevealingthe
person inside.
Meanwhile, MeeWee Dinkee, the
fashion brand from anarchic musicians
Maywa Denki, went with a Japanese
warrior-inspired collection, finished
with rifle butt-shaped clutch bags, per-
fectforthosewhowanttofightofftheat-
tentionofstreetfashionphotographers.
Bringinginthekawaiiwassocialme-
dia star hima://kawagoe, who’s moved
from semi-salacious subcultural illus-
trations to fashion, adding Cardcap-
tor Sakura-style wings to accessories,
robot armor to tights, and anime eyes
to anything that moves. The standout
pieces from the designer’s collection
took her own otaku culture-heavy life-
style to fashion, bringing in a penchant
for anime binges to bed, with wearable
pillows turning up in scarves, back-
packs,andbags;andahostofbedding-
themed items designed for snoozing
anywhere.
Those not looking for the complete
look were catered to by Holy Crap!,
a new line of footwear designed with
the sole aim of soliciting the aforemen-
tioned exclamation from its custom-
ers. Designs popular with attendees
includedshoesdecoratedwithmanga-
styleonomatopoeiasoundeffects,sure
to add impact to your stance, as well
as toothed heels that could serve as
armaments in rush hour.
AwayfromtheCharaCharaArea,the
honorable mention from the “Rooms”
exhibition goes to breakthrough brand
Kisaburo, whose modern take on tra-
ditional kimono flitted effortlessly be-
tween tailoring and pop-culture refer-
ences. Of note was a black salaryman
suit reworked into a traditional Japa-
nese style, including hakama trousers
thedesignerprovocativelydisplayedin
front of a ukiyo-e of Commodore Mat-
thew Perry’s infamous “Black Ships.”
Definitely one to watch.
FASHION CALENDAR CHECK METROPOLISJAPAN.COM FOR THE LATEST FASHION CALENDAR.
W
hat you wear does not define who you are.
At the end of the day, even the person be-
deckedinclothesandcakedinmakeuphasto
discard their finery, cram it all back in the wardrobe,
and scrub off the foundation painstakingly applied
earlier that day.
However, there’s no doubt fashion changes how
you are seen—and how you see yourself. You don’t
have to go to sartorial extremes to see this phenom-
enon in action. Those fortunate enough to not have
to wear a suit daily may be familiar with the curious
sensation of their posture stiffening as the starched
shirt is tucked into a belted waistband. It’s a daily
experience for most that sees salarymen’s necks
straightening as the tie draws the collar close, and
officeladies’gaitchangedasskirtsrestricttheknees.
Still, the effect this has on how you’re seen is the
difference between acceptance and rejection. A
goodsuitsignsmoredealsthanagoodpresentation,
evenasitsnearestcompetitor,SteveJobs’normcore
uniform,gainstraction.Butwhoknowswhichonewill
berequiredintheboardroomoftomorrow?Allwedo
knowissomethingwillberequired;evenifitmightnot
constrictthebody,thelackofchoicewillalwaysstifle.
Fashioncanbethewayoutformanypeople,and
probably one of the reasons why it’s all too easy
to treat an attack on one’s fashion as an attack on
one’s self. It’s natural to think of what you wear on
the weekend as being the real you, as that’s the
one you choose. But in reality, both are probably
equally constructed: just a different character for a
different occasion.
Next time you see an outlandish Lolita fan on the
streetsofShinjuku—morelikelythanHarajukuthese
days—rememberthattheymighthavechangedoutof
a suit only hours ago. Likewise, every suit-wearer on
the train has the potential to transform at will.
This ability to step into a shōjo manga-esque
transformation sequence isn’t unique to Japan—but
it’s exaggerated. In Europe and America, one’s al-
legiance to fashion is more frequently ingrained;
haircuts that require commitment, a solid selection
ofpiercings,anduncoverabletattoosarethebadges
ofhonorforthedevotedfashionista.InJapan,it’sthe
temporary circle lenses, wigs, and even detachable
facialhairthatrulethefashionroost.Japanmayhave
some of the most avant-garde fashion going, but it’s
rarely a mask that eats into the wearer’s face, as it is
elsewhere. This allows one to luxuriate in a bath at
the end of a long day, pondering just who he or she
will be tomorrow.
CLOTHES
MAKE THE
MAN
hima://kawagoe
Holy Crap!
Kisaburo
15

16. movies BY DON MORTON
featured movie
A Most Violent Year: © 2014 PM/IN Finance. LLC; Altman: © 2014 sphinxproductions; Fathers and Daughters: © 2014 FATHERS & DAUGHTERS NEVADA, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED; Passion and Poetry: The Ballad of Sam Peckinpah: © 2005-
2015 El Dorado Productions. All rights reserved; Good Kill: © 2014 CLEAR SKIES NEVADA,LLC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED; Ant-Man: © Marvel 2015; Two Raging Grannies: Faction Film © 2013; The Voices: © 2014 SERIAL KILLER, LLC. ALL RIGHTS
RESERVED; That Awkward Moment: © 2013 AWOD Productions, LLC. All Rights Reserved; Kingsman: The Secret Service: © 2015 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation; Boychoir: © 2014 BOYCHOIR MOVIE, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED; Pixels:
©2015 CTMG, INC All Rights Reserved; San Andreas: © 2014 VILLAGE ROADSHOW FILMS (BVI) LIMITED, WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT INC. AND RATPAC-DUNE ENTERTAINMENT LLC.
A MOST
VIOLENT YEAR
TWO RAGING GRANNIES
In this touching and
relevant documentary by
Norway’s Håvard Bustnes,
Shirley and Hinda—92
and 85—are two badass
grandmas in Seattle who become concerned about the
American economy. Must prosperity, they ask, be tied to
economic growth? Must we continue to shop and consume
just to stay afloat? Is there a more sustainable alternative?
These aging activists travel across the U.S., questioning
college kids, the homeless, Wall Street tycoons, and
growth economists, while generally being delightfully yet
meaningfully annoying. You go, girls! Japanese title: Shirley
and Hinda: Wōru Gai wo Dekin ni Natta Futari. (78 min)
ANT-MAN
The cornball backstory of
this cliché-ridden Marvel
second-stringer involves
an ex-con (Paul Rudd)
trying to be a better dad
to his daughter. Because of his unique skillset—he
was a cat burglar—he is recruited by a mentor inventor
(Michael Douglas) who gives him this neato high-tech
suit that drops him down to, well, ant size (“Honey, I
Shrunk the Superhero”?). In the superhero universe,
this formulaic mixed bag is not terrible, but it’s way too
long, not as funny as it thinks it is (though I did like the
battle on the Thomas the Tank Engine train set), fairly
risk-averse, and borderline dull. (117 min)
GOOD KILL
A tense, timely, and
informative ethics study of
the American use of drone
strikes in the Middle East
examines the morality of
the issue by focusing on those who “pilot” the pilotless
planes from planeless cockpits 11,000 kilometers away in
Las Vegas. Notably one Major Thomas Egan (Ethan Hawke
in top form), a veteran fighter pilot who finds it increasingly
difficult to ignore his conscience and continue to play
what amounts to a lethal video game. Then the CIA starts
giving increasingly ruthless orders and things come to an
emotional head. Also Zoë Kravitz (electric) and January
Jones (not). Japanese title: Drone of War. (102 min)
ALTMAN
M*A*S*H, Nashville,
B r ew s te r M c C l o u d ,
A Wedding, Beyond
Therapy, The Player,
Gosford Park … OK,
also Popeye. Few film directors have been as admired
and emulated as the late Robert Altman. Ron Mann’s
doc features mostly the man himself in excerpts from
interviews and speaking appearances, along with home
movies, news footage, and even a few experimental
shorts. Talking heads are limited to actors he’d worked with
being asked to define, in a single word or phrase, what
the word “Altmanesque” means. Trickier than it sounds,
apparently. Would like to know more about his creative
process. Japanese title: Robert Altman: Hollywood ni
Mottomo Kiraware, Soshite Aisareta Otoko. (96 min)
FATHERS AND
DAUGHTERS
A widowed Pulitzer Prize-
winning novelist (Russell
Crowe) struggles to keep
custody of his eight-year-
old daughter while dealing with a mental breakdown
and a sagging career. Flash-forward a quarter-century to
his grown daughter (Amanda Seyfried) dealing with her
own demons, mostly through extremely loose sex (until
love interest Aaron Paul shows up). Flash back to Russell
and then back again to Amanda. Repeat repeatedly.
Directed by Italy’s maudlin master manipulator Gabriele
Muccino (The Pursuit of Happyness). None of the actors
made me forget they were acting. More depressing
than anything else. Japanese title: Papa ga Nokoshita
Monogatari. (116 min)
PASSION AND POETRY:
THE BALLAD OF SAM
PECKINPAH
Lea d in g Pe ck inp ah
savant Mike Siegel clearly
invested a lot of time
and love into this documentary on the life and times of
the bad-boy director: growing up in Fresno, his early TV
work, taking off with classics like Ride the High Country,
The Wild Bunch, Straw Dogs, and The Getaway, and then
down again thanks to coke and booze, ultimately reduced
to shooting music videos for the likes of Julian Lennon.
Siegel finished it in 2005, but it hasn’t seen a movie screen
until now, in Japan. Definitive, exhaustive, and, it must be
said, overlong at two hours for anyone who’s not a true fan
of the man. Japanese title: Sam Peckinpah: Jyōnetsu to
Bigaku. (115 min)
NEW NEW
Abel Morales (Oscar Isaac, who can do no wrong these
days) and his wife Anna (the ever-excellent Jessica
Chastain) are struggling to make a success of their
heating oil business in a competitive, you could say
cutthroat, industry. This is basically a character study.
Abel bought the business from his wife’s gangster
father but is determined to succeed without stooping
to the vicious tactics of his mobbed-up competitors
and “doing the (most) right things.” The title refers to
1981, when New York’s streets were at their meanest.
His delivery trucks are being hijacked, his drivers
beaten, his home creeped. It's not for everyone, but
a well-crafted, atmospheric, and believable film for
grown-ups. And while it brings little new to the gritty
true-crime thriller genre, you will not know where
it’s going. Also a surprisingly deep turn by a nearly
unrecognizable Albert Brooks, and David Oyelowo
fleshes out a slim role as the DA tasked with cleaning
up the industry. Despite the title, it’s not that violent,
but there is an undeniable, palpable undercurrent of
menace throughout. Directed without showy tactics
by the genre-jumping J.C. Chandor (All Is Lost and
Margin Call), here successfully channeling ’70s Lumet
and Scorsese. Japanese title: American Dreamer: Risō
no Daishō. (125 min)
NEW
NEW
16

17. The Tokyo International Film Festival will run October
22-31. The fest has matured and expanded in recent
years, and the 28th edition will be held at its main base of
Toho Cinemas in Roppongi Hills, as well as the venerable
Kabukiza and other venues. Opening the fest will be Robert
Zemeckis’ The Walk (pictured), which recreates—in 3D no
less—the view enjoyed by French high-wire artist Philippe
Petit (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) while walking between
Manhattan’s Twin Towers in 1974. Another highlight is
Life, about a photographer (Robert Pattinson) given the
assignment of capturing the essence of rising star James
Dean for the eponymous magazine, and directed by
acclaimed photographer Anton Corbijn. Japanese films
screening with English subtitles include Foujita, about the
Japanese painter who gained notoriety in 1920s Paris, and
Sayonara, a sci-fi drama about a few refugees left behind
when Japan is evacuated due to radiation. The program
“Masters of J-Horror” will present some of the key films in
the boom that put Japan on the global horror map in the
’90s, including Takashi Shimizu’s Ju-on, which was remade
in the U.S. as The Grudge. Kabukiza will host a screening
of They Who Step on the Tiger’s Tail, Akira Kurosawa’s
adaptation of a kabuki play. Tickets go on sale October 10.
For a full schedule see http://2015.tiff-jp.net/en. KM
cinematic underground
More reviews: metropolisjapan.com/movies
This beguiling little film is
both charming and extremely
frustrating. It’s the directorial
debut of Takuya Misawa, who
has worked as an assistant
at the film’s production
company Wa Entertainment and is, in fact, still studying at
the film school Nihon Eiga Daigaku. Misawa is influenced
by Eric Rohmer, as well as this film’s producer and star Kiki
Sugino, who is herself fond of Rohmer. Airline colleagues
Karin (Ena Koshino) and Maki (Sugino) arrive at a quaint
and historic inn in Chigasaki for a little vacation and to
celebrate the marriage of ex-colleague Risa (Natsuko
Hori). As fate would have it, Maki’s old university is
doing an archeology field trip to Chigasaki, led by a
professor (Satoshi Nikaidō) she had an affair with. The
new arrivals, the workers, and the university students flirt
with attractions and seductions a la Rohmer, but there is a
major problem. We can’t get emotionally invested in any
character because all the interactions are too superficial
and childish. The film is beautifully shot and lyrically told,
but lacks any emotional punch whatsoever. Still, director
Misawa is one to watch in the future. Showing with English
subtitles. English title: Chigasaki Story. (88 min)
SANPAKU
YOKKA, GOJI
NO KANE
By Rob Schwartz
eiga
© 2015 TriStar Pictures, Inc. All Rights Reserved. © 2015 TriStar Pictures, Inc. All Rights Reserved.© Wa Entertainment, Inc.
Japan has its latest contender for an Oscar. The
sports drama 100 Yen Love has been chosen as the
country’s official submission to the Academy Awards
for Best Foreign Language Film. The film follows the
transformation of a ¥100 shop clerk (Sakura Ando) who
enters the world of women’s boxing and finds self-
confidence. It won rave reviews for Ando’s highly physical
performance and picked up the Japanese Cinema Splash
Award at last year’s Tokyo International Film Festival.
Each country has its own rules for choosing the one
non-English film that will be its official submission, and,
technically speaking, the award goes to the country, not
the filmmaker. As more countries and territories produce
films, the number of submissions has grown, hitting a
record of 83 last year. A similar number is expected this
year, and from them a short list of nine will be selected.
From those, five nominees will be announced on January
14. During the golden age of Japanese cinema in the
1950s and ’60s, the country picked up a number of
nominations, wins, and honorary awards, but didn’t bring
home another statuette until 2008, with Departures, a
drama about a young man who faces social stigma when
he chooses to work as a mortician. The 88th Academy
Awards will be held February 28, 2016. Kevin Mcgue
movie news
SAN ANDREAS
When magnitude-nine
quakes strike Los Angeles
and San Francisco, an
L.A. rescue helicopter
pilot (Dwayne Johnson)
is determined to save his daughter in S.F. Well, there’s
an original scenario. He abandons his duties, steals
a chopper, snags his estranged wife (Carla Gugino)
from the roof of a collapsing skyscraper, and they work
on their relationship issues en route. This is disaster
on a gargantuan, bloated, physics-defying, almost
pornographic scale. “Dumb” would be a compliment.
Visually impressive as mindless sensory barrages go, but
soulless and tension-free. Makes Roland Emmerich look
good. Japanese title: California Down. (114 min)
PIXELS
Adam Sandler is amazing.
Just when you think
he can’t get any more
moronic, he summons
the energy to appall
you anew. Aliens attack Earth with giant, weaponized
recreations of early ’80s arcade games like Pac-Man
and Donkey Kong, and it’s up to a former child Atari ace
(Sandler) to save the day. I know: “just entertainment.” But
this isn’t even very good on its own terms. Exhaustively
lazy, proudly pointless, by necessity heavy on the
exposition, and endless mugging by Sandler and Mall
Cop’s Kevin James—as the U.S. President! Even an
amusingly mulleted Peter Dinklage can’t save this turkey.
(98 min)
BOYCHOIR
Stet (Garrett Wareing)
is sent off by his hard-
hearted father to the
N a t i o n a l B o y c h o i r
Academy (a real place,
apparently), where he is mentored by the troupe’s
demanding choir master. The latter is played by Dustin
Hoffman, and is the main reason to see this one. Anyway,
all this would undoubtedly have been more effective had
it not been for the recent Whiplash, which approaches
the musical mentor-protégé theme far more powerfully.
Uplifting but highly predictable and unworthy of its great
cast (Kevin McHale, Eddie Izzard, and Kathy Bates), this
one falls into the “mostly watchable” category. Japanese
title: Boy Soprano: Tada Hitotsu no Utagoe. (103 min)
KINGSMAN:
THE SECRET SERVICE
Colin Firth is Agent
Galahad, a suave, quint-
essentially Conner y
superspy. He can mow
down a row of thugs without rumpling his Savile Row suit.
His umbrella is bulletproof. This knowing postmodern
homage/spoof of Bond-spawned gentleman spy thrillers
is directed by the energetically edgy Matthew Vaughn, so
think a less colorful Austin Powers with extreme violence.
Worth seeing just for the acting. But ultimately this is
ideologically vapid, high-class multiplex fodder. The
shock humor is effective, but I could have done without
the church shooting. I was amused, but not often enough.
(128 min)
THAT AWKWARD
MOMENT
The title of this derivative,
old-school brom-com
refers to the point in
a relationship when
somebody says, “So ... where is this going?” Three
20-something pals (Zac Efron, Miles Teller, and Michael
B. Jordan) vow to remain single, committed only to
commitment-free sex. Undeveloped female foils include
Imogen Poots, Mackenzie Davis, and Jessica Lucas.
Relatively inoffensive except for the Efron bits, but not
remotely funny, and a general waste of a lot of young
talent. Not as insipid as crap like Valentine’s Day, but
disconcertingly close. Think of it as a male Sex and the
City. Japanese title: Koibito Made Ichi Pāsento. (94 min)
THE VOICES
This is being marketed as
a deeply warped horror
comedy. Warped, yes;
but I have a problem
with that “comedy” part.
Gemma Arterton’s talking severed head in a refrigerator
is certainly out there, but funny? Not especially. Tastes
differ, but I actively disliked this tonally schizophrenic,
whimsical-yet-witless little creepshow, mostly due to
the shallow performance by Ryan Reynolds, who’s
clearly straining to beef up his lackluster filmography
(Green Lantern, RIPD) with a trusty old unhinged role. But
Nightcrawler this is not. Title refers to his talking dog and
cat. Also Jacki Weaver and Anna Kendrick. Japanese title:
Happy Voice Killer. (103 min)
17

18. arts&culture
ARTIST
FILEBY C.B. LIDDELL
ART
A
rtist File is the National Art Center, To-
kyo’s big annual contemporary art show.
Usually, what you get is a collection of
mid-career artists, posing as “youngish,”
loosely tied together by a nebulous theme.
This year, however, Artist File has come up
with a stronger theme. To celebrate the 50th
anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic
ties between Japan and Korea, the show has
brought together equal numbers of Japanese
and Korean artists to capture something of the
essence of this often-troubled relationship.
Rather prosaically titled “Next Door: Con-
temporary Art in Japan and Korea,” the show
eschews cozy cultural interplay in favor of weird
juxtaposition and unexpected resonance. As
reasonably successful contemporary artists,
each of the twelve participants has already
found his or her own niche, ranging from
Sungmi Lee’s large minimalist ceramic works
and Motohiro Tomii’s deadpan surrealism to
Shizuka Yokomizo’s overly precious photo and
video works.
Viewed on paper, the idea of bringing these
and the other nine extremely diverse artists
together into a coherent show may seem a little
like trying to herd cats, but strangely much of
the art seems to hit a similar chord, with a recur-
ring theme of ghostliness and hauntedness that
seems to be more of a fortuitous accident than
a curatorial conceit.
Sometimes the ghostly theme is blatant, as
in Yokomizo’s Phantom (2006-7) video instal-
lation, in which people—mainly Westerners—
recount actual experiences of encountering
ghosts; or in Seulki Ki’s Post Tenebras Lux
(2014), photos of forest scenery inhabited by
apparently sentient clouds of mist. But often,
it’s more subtle. Ki also presents photos, which
seem to have been taken just a moment too
late, where the subject is in the process of
departing. Photos like this evoke a sense of
something half-seen or half-remembered.
This half-remembered or evasive quality is
more than an accident, but captures the feel-
ing of awkwardness that subsists between
Korea and Japan: much is forgotten or passed
over due to its painfulness and the wish to
start afresh. The only problem is the ghosts
of the past are sure to make themselves felt
in some way.
Kohei Kobayashi’s offbeat works feature
odd videos and the props used to make them,
and provide some comic relief from the exhibi-
tion’s more sombre aspects.
It’s impressive that such a diverse show
hangs together quite well. But if there’s one
major criticism, it’s that there’s a deficiency of
aesthetically-pleasing art; video and concept
art of a largely minimalist character dominates.
Sungmi Lee’s large ceramic works, like Glass
Blanket (2014), incorporating broken automobile
glass, are initially impressive, but soon bore.
More satisfying as aesthetic and conceptual
works are Aiko Tezuka’s embroidery and anti-
embroidery works. She unpicks and reweaves
tapestries and other woven objects in eye-
catching ways. Suspended Organs (Kitchen)
(2013) takes an old linen tea towel from pre-war
Germany and unpicks one half to create an
interesting design of sweeping threads and an
embroidered heart on a plate.
With these artistic works, one gets a sense
of two cultures communicating with each other
in a subtle way that helps lessen tensions be-
tween them. Ghosts and artists, it seems, can
say things others can’t.
National Art Center, Tokyo. Until Oct 12 .
Play (2014)
by Shimon
Minamikawa
Glass Blanket
(2014) by
Sungmi Lee
Lessons for Restoration (mirror)
(2012) by Aiko Tezuka
UteKlein/Courtesy:GalerieMichaelJanssenBerlin-Singapore
Unfamiliar
Corner 02
(2012) by
Seulki Ki
18

19. PETER
BARAKAN’S
LIVE MAGICThe veteran personality
curates a new roots fest
BY DAN GRUNEBAUM
MUSIC
I
n his 40 years in Japan,
Anglo-Burmese-Polish-
Jewish broadcaster Peter
Barakan has hosted ev-
erything from the Japanese
60 Minutes to NHK’s Begin
Japanology—but his most
abiding passion is music.
Many know him as the host of
InterFM’s Barakan Beat, and
he began his career working
copyrights for a Japanese
music label in 1974.
Barakan now curates Live
Magic!, a roots music festival
that launched in 2014. He
tells Metropolis about Japan’s
aging music scene and his ap-
proach to turning a profit on a
non-commercial lineup.
What was the inspiration
behind the fest?
Rather than it being an inspira-
tion, one guy from Creative-
man and another from Tower
Records came to me in 2012
and said, “We have this idea
for a festival: Would you like
to curate it?” They were fans
of my music TV show in the
mid-’80s, and both ended up
in the music industry. They
had an idea for an indoor
weekend festival for adults; I
was thrilled, and last year was the first one. It
went off better than hoped—we didn’t know if
we would make a profit. We ended up selling
out Saturday, and had a 70-percent [full] house
on Sunday. The atmosphere was comfortable
and the music was fantastic.
Japan has the world’s most rapidly aging so-
ciety. How does that affect the music scene?
This year, [Fuji Rock] got rid of the Orange
Court, where they had the world and roots
music I do at Live Magic!, and put in more
headliners for a younger audience. I know in
other areas, people are still trying to appeal
to a younger audience but we don’t need to
be doing that. Last year, we had mainly people
in their 40s and 50s. We’re not that big a
festival, so we can afford to skew older.
People that age like different music—they’re
not into EDM or hip-hop. Though they have
more spending power, I think they’re being
left out.
Music discovery has gone online. How did you
find the bands on the lineup?
Most of the people in the lineup are unfamiliar
to music fans in Japan, or anywhere. To be hon-
est, even I didn’t know of some of them. For
example, Dayme Arocena—this amazing Cuban
artist—was discovered by Gilles Peterson on a
trip to Cuba several years ago. He raved about
her, and when I listened to her album, I was
knocked out and immediately got in touch.
With Jonathan Scales, who is this incredible
complex steel drum player, the weirdest thing
happened. A friend sent me a link to a live jam
band show, and somewhere in the background,
there was a steel drum
playing—but you couldn’t
even see the guy. My friend
found out the guy was
Jonathan Scales, and I got
in touch.
The group I’m With Her
is made up of three female
singer-songwriters who
all worked separately. A
friend sent me a YouTube
link, and I got excited about
them. These connections
just happen all over the
place. There’s so much
great music out there, and
once I get turned on, I want
to bring people in.
How about the Japanese
artists on the bill? Some
seem quite left-wing.
I’m not going to hide my
proclivities. Ranking Taxi
is a brilliant reggae toaster,
but he does it in very skill-
ful Japanese on an array of
social topics. I first heard
him in 1989 when he did his
anti-nuclear song, which
he redid in 2011 after the
Fukushima disaster. His
work is so good and needs
to be heard again. I also
brought in Ainu musician
Oki. He has a political bent
as well. But the other Japanese artists aren’t
particularly political.
The best-known group is Tin Pan, Yellow
Magic Orchestra founder Haruomi Hosono’s
group. It’s a trio that goes back to the 1970s.
They normally back up someone else and hardly
ever play live. Chu Kosaka will sing with them,
which is quite a coup, as he doesn’t sing much
these days. Mainly he’s a Christian reverend.
Yebisu Garden Hall, Oct 24-25.
http://livemagic.jp
Photos courtesy of Creativeman
Dayme Arocena
Jonathan Scales Fourchestra
19

20. arts&culture
T
he art of ikebana is one that’s quintes-
sentially Japanese. Its name combines the
words “ikeru”, which means “living”, and
hana, or “flower”; “ikiru” can also mean
“arranging flowers”. It can be a deceptive art:
at first glance, the work may appear to simply
be floral arrangement. But it is in fact a spiritual
practice—a meditative escape from the chaotic
world in which we live.
While the art’s exact origin is unknown,
ikebana has been practiced for at least six
centuries. It began as part of Buddhist customs,
Want Mika Otani to introduce you to ikebana?
E-mail smile@mika-otani.com or call 080-5099-
4461 in English. Or visit www.atelier-soka.com.
evolving over time into different styles and ap-
proaches. Today, there are more than 3,000
ikebana schools, with three of the biggest
being Ohara, Ikenobō, and Sogetsu.
Sogetsu is a versatile school that focuses
on the art as a form of self-expression, suitable
for those looking to explore ikebana for the
first time.
“Sogetsu school is really free … they have
the free mind; we can create anything we want.
It’s called the Picasso of Flowers with its radi-
cal conception,” explains Mika Otani, owner of
Atelier Soka, which provides Sogetsu ikebana
classes in Tokyo. “I can put my emotions and my
ideas—and sometimes criticize society—into
ikebana. We can express something through
flower materials. It’s art.”
Otani has been practicing ikebana for 27
years and is a master of the art. She not only
teaches Sogetsu ikebana at her three locations
in Tokyo, but also conducts seminars and
demonstrations in India and Australia.
While ikebana has been a part of her life for
nearly three decades, it wasn’t always her day
job. For many years, she worked as an editor
for Japanese publications, later transitioning to
a career as a web publisher. But following the
Great East Japan Earthquake of March 2011,
her view of the fragility of life changed, as it did
for so many, and she decided that she would
spend her time creating the art she loved and
teaching it to others. That’s when Atelier Soka
was born.
When asked how ikebana has changed her
over the course of her life, Otani says, “It’s like
meditation. I should think about my emotions
and my ideas. It’s only my time. I only place
flowers silently, and I can release my stress. I
think the process of creating ikebana is kind
of like yoga.”
This is mirrored in her approach to Atelier
Soka. For her students, it’s about enjoying
the process of transforming the materials of
nature into something with greater meaning,
not about the precision of rules or the class-
room environment.
That’s not to say there aren’t basics that
must be learned, but Otani has created
comfortable surroundings in Yoyogi-Uehara,
Roppongi, and Setagaya (in her home) where
stress is left at the door and students can
reconnect with Mother Nature.
At Atelier Soka, Otani has many non-
Japanese students. What attracts visitors and
expats alike to ikebana?
“Everyone wants to start something Japa-
nese,” says Otani. “The starting point is just
curiosity. But one month later or two months
later, they change. Tokyo is really crowded, but
through ikebana, they can really feel nature.”
And that reconnection and expression
goes further than one might expect. When
we think of ikebana, we most often picture
flowers. But Sogetsu can incorporate any type
of material that the practitioner wants. This
means thoughts and feelings can be expressed
through not only flowers, but also plants, wire,
plastic, and other unconventional materials.
Sogetsu offers incredible flexibility for self
expression.
Ikebana opens up a world of emotional
exploration: a place where we can express
ourselves much in the way that a writer, painter,
or musician does. It’s quiet reflection for those
who practice Sogetsu, as the arranging is done
alone and in silence. Think of it as floral medita-
tion—with Mika Otani as your guide.
ART
FLORAL
EXPRESSIONSMika Otani and the art of Ikebana
BY C BRYAN JONES
PhotoscourtesyofMikaOtani
20

21. Sammu Tambo Art Project
Harvest Event October 31, 2015
Nearest station: Matsuo
www.facebook.com/tamboart.sammu
GRAINY
GRAPHICSRice field art project
grows community
BY JOAN BAILEY
Photos by Ayano Murakami
F
or the residents of Sammu, a little town in
Chiba Prefeture in the flight path for nearby
Narita International Airport, airplanes are as
much a part of the landscape as rice fields.
While these two things may seem miles apart, a
new art project will bring them closer together.
Tomohito and Nagisa Minowa, organic
rice farmers from Sammu, found a receptive
audience at city hall when they first proposed
the idea. The Minowas, who have run similar
projects in France and Fukushima Prefecture,
paired up with local artist Barusa Mikoyasu and
more than 100 volunteers to make the first de-
sign a reality. Planted in June, the multicolored
seedlings are now filling in Mikoyasu’s design.
Based on a popular Japanese fairy tale, Tsuru
no Ongaishi (“The Gift of the Crane”), it depicts
a crane in flight carrying a piece of silk.
Planted just below a small park that of-
fers a good view over the adjacent fields, the
tambo (rice field) belongs to Akira Inoue, another
Sammu organic rice farmer. Measuring 3,300
square meters, it isn’t huge—but it’s a good start.
“There’s a possibility that the tambo art will
be visible from planes flying to and from Narita,”
says Nagisa Minowa. “If it isn’t visible this year,
we’ll find a better location or work on a larger
drawing to provide an attractive site for tourists.”
The Tambo Art Project is an official part of
Sammu’s plans to prepare for the 2020 Olympics.
City staff also turned out in droves to help plant
the field in June and to manage a viewing festival.
An October harvest event is on the city calendar
and Sammu offered funds to support the project.
For the Minowas, the Sammu Project is
a natural extension of their own passions.
Tomohito, a sixth-generation rice farmer from
Sammu, met Nagisa while both worked at a
landscape design firm. Tambo art brings design
and agriculture together while also offering the
opportunity to creatively foster community.
“We feel tambo art attracts people and gives
them a starting point for getting involved in
agriculture and landscape design. It lets people
work together, allowing them to get closer. It also
changes over the season, which draws people
back to see what’s happened,” explains Nagisa.
The Sammu Project is also an extension of
a similar ongoing project in Soma, Fukushima
Prefecture. Working closely with Hideharu Asa-
numa of Youkei Design in Tokyo, and Tomoyuki
Endo, a Soma rice farmer, the Minowas helped
coordinate the planting of three rice fields in
the town located 45 kilometers from the ailing
nuclear power plant. In 2014, Soma residents
planted rice for the first time since the disaster
as a way to mark the event and raise morale.
Like the field in Sammu, the Soma plantings
are located near a popular elevated walking
path. The largest design shows a bucking horse
full of life, teeth bared, and mane and tail flying.
“The people of Soma know this symbol and
will see themselves, strong in body and will. It
will give them energy,” Asanuma says.
The project is part of Youkei Design’s Project
Nomad, a community-building effort born out of
their work to help create gathering spaces for
Somaresidents.Arrivingalmostimmediatelyafter
thedisastertoseehowtheymighthelp,thegroup
designed and built a simple space where people
could meet, something residents desperately
needed in order to begin recovering personally
and as a community. There, they met Endo and
that the idea for the art project was born.
Sammu will run the project until 2020, and
hopes visitors from around the world will come to
plant, help weed, or just enjoy the view.
“We hope this will be a means to connect di-
verse people, to encourage people to interact
and get closer. We have a simple motivation:
we want to do something fun in our home
town!” explains Nagisa. “And,” she adds with
a smile, “if we can get people from other areas
or even from other countries to visit, it’s going
to be much more fun!”
21

22. agenda
WATCH LIST
OCT 17-18Earth Day 2015
Learn about what it takes to live an
ecological and organic lifestyle.
Participate in workshops, purchase
handmade goods, grab delicious
food, and more. Oct 17-18,
10am-4pm. Free. Minami-Osawa
Nakago Park. Minami-Osawa.
www.804.jp
NOV 16Ron Sexsmith
Canadian singer-songwriter whose
music is generally melancholic
pop folk with elegant melodies,
accentuated by guitars and economic
application of other instruments.
Nov 16, 7 & 9:30pm. ¥6,500-8,500.
Billboard Live. Roppongi.
http://j.mp/sexsmith2015
Tickets on sale now
NOV 25-262001: A Space Odyssey
Live Cinema Concert
A full screening of the 1968 sci-fi
epic, with live orchestra and chorus.
Nov 25, 7pm; Nov 26, 2pm. ¥6,000-
10,000. Bunkamura Orchard Hall.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-3477-9999.
www.bunkamura.co.jp/english
Tickets on sale Sep 19
DEC 18Yo La Tengo
American indie rock band who are
renowned for their encyclopedic
repertoire of cover songs in live
performance and on record. Dec
18, 7pm. ¥6,000. Tsutaya O-East.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-3444-6751.
http://j.mp/yolatengo2015
Tickets on sale now
FEB 24-25, 2016Diana Krall
Grammy Award-winning Canadian
jazz pianist and singer who is the only
jazz singer to have eight albums debut
at the top of the Billboard jazz albums
chart. Feb 24-25, 7pm. ¥14,000-
15,000. Showa Women’s University,
Hitomi Memorial Hall. Sangenjaya.
http://j.mp/krall2016
Tickets on sale Oct 3
hot tickets for free
Fever. Shindaita. Tel:
03-6304-7899. http://j.mp/
thevelvetteen2015
Leo Sayer
British-born singer songwriter
musician and entertainer
who was a top singles and
album act on both sides of the
Atlantic in the 1970s. Oct 27,
7 & 9:30pm. ¥7,800-9,800.
Billboard Live. Roppongi.
Tel: 03-3405-1133. http://j.
mp/sayer2015. Oct 29, 7
& 9:30pm. ¥7,800-9,800.
Billboard Live. Roppongi.
Tel: 03-3405-1133. http://j.mp/
sayertwo2015
Whitesnake
English rock band known for
their hits “Here I Go Again”
and “Is This Love.” Oct 30,
7pm. Pacifico Yokohama.
Minatomirai. Nov 2, 7pm.
Tokyo International Forum
Hall A. Yurakucho. ¥9,800-
20,000. Tel: 03-5221-9000.
http://j.mp/whitesnake2015
JAZZ/WORLD
Stanley Clarke
American jazz musician and
composer known for his
innovative and influential
work on double bass and
electric bass, as well as
for his numerous film and
television scores. Sep 30-Oct
2, 7 & 9:30pm; Oct 3, 5 & 8pm.
¥8,900. Blue Note Tokyo.
Omotesando. Tel: 03-5485-
0088. http://j.mp/clarke2015
Roberto Fonseca Trio
Trio led by Cuban jazz pianist
Fonseca, with Yandi Martínez,
and Ramsés Rodríguez. Oct 4,
5 & 8pm; Oct 5, 7 & 9:30pm.
¥7,800. Blue Note Tokyo.
Omotesando. Tel: 03-5485-
0088. http://j.mp/fonseca2015
Diana Panton
Canadian jazz vocalist whose
impressive catalogue of
internationally acclaimed
albums have garnered
numerous honours, including
a Juno win for her latest album
Red. Oct 5-6, 6:30 & 9pm.
¥6,500-8,500. Cotton Club.
Tokyo. Tel: 03-3215-1555.
http://j.mp/panton2015
Take 6
Grammy Award-winning
Christian vocal jazz group.
Oct 5-7, 7 & 9:30pm. ¥9,000-
11,000. Billboard Live.
Roppongi. Tel: 03-3405-
1133. http://j.mp/takesix2015
Harold López-Nussa Trio
Led by López-Nussa, a jazz
pianist who plays Cuban
music, with Alune Wade and
Ruy Adrián López-Nussa. Oct
7-9, 6:30 & 9pm. ¥6,500-
8,500. Cotton Club. Tokyo.
Tel: 03-3215-1555. http://j.mp/
lopeznussatrio2015
Christian Scott Atunde
Adjuah
American jazz trumpeter,
composer, and producer. Oct
7-9, 7 & 9:30pm. ¥7,800. Blue
Note Tokyo. Omotesando.
Tel: 03-5485-0088. http://j.mp/
christianscott2015
Joss Stone
English soul singer who rose
to fame in late 2003 with
her multi-platinum Mind
Body & Soul. Oct 12-13, 8pm.
¥22,500-24,500. Billboard Live.
Roppongi. Tel: 03-3405-1133.
http://j.mp/jossstone2015
Candy Dulfer and Hans
Dulfer
Father-and-daughter sax duo.
Oct 10-12, 5 & 8pm; Oct 13-14,
6:30 & 9:30pm. ¥8,900. Blue
Note Tokyo. Omotesando.
Tel: 03-5485-0088. http://j.mp/
candyandhans2015
Christian McBride Trio
Led by four-time Grammy
Award-winner McBride who
is a jazz bassist virtuoso, with
Mark Whitfield and Emmet
Cohen. Oct 14-16, 6:30 & 9pm.
¥8,000-10,000. Cotton Club.
Tokyo. Tel: 03-3215-1555.
http://j.mp/mcbridetrio2015
Ohta-San and Herb Ohta, Jr.
Father-and-son ukulele duo.
Oct 17-18, 5 & 8pm. ¥7,000-
9,000. Cotton Club. Tokyo.
Tel: 03-3215-1555. http://j.mp/
ohtasanandjr2015
David Sanborn
American alto saxophonist who
has been described by critic
Scott Yannow as “the most
influential saxophonist on pop,
R&B, and crossover players of
the past 20 years.” Oct 19-22,
6:30 & 9pm. ¥10,800. Blue
Note Tokyo. Omotesando.
Tel: 03-5485-0088. http://j.mp/
sanborn2015
John McLaughlin and The
4th Dimension
British jazz guitarist
McLaughlin, joined by his
electric fusion band, The
4th Dimension. Oct 23, 7
& 9:30pm; Oct 24-25, 5 &
8pm. ¥8,800. Blue Note
Tokyo. Omotesando. Tel:
03-5485-0088. http://j.mp/
mclaughlin2015
Boukou Groove
A genre-bending collective
touching on elements of New
Orleans-style funk, R&B, soul,
blues, and hip-hop formed
by singer/producer Donnie
Sundal and New Orleans
guitar luminary Derwin
“Big D” Perkins. Oct 27, 7 &
9:30pm. ¥7,000. Blue Note
Tokyo. Omotesando. Tel:
03-5485-0088. http://j.mp/
boukougroove2015
Tommy Emmanuel
Australian virtuoso guitarist
best known for his complex
fingerstyle technique,
energetic performances,
and the use of percussive
effects on the guitar. Oct 28,
6:30 & 9pm. ¥7,500-9,500.
Cotton Club. Tokyo. Tel:
03-3215-1555. http://j.mp/
emmanuelcotton2015. Oct
29, 7:30pm. ¥6,800. Tsutaya
O-East. Shibuya. Tel:
03-5458-4681. http://j.mp/
emmanueleast2015
I’m With Her
Trio consisting of Sara
Watkins, Sarah Jarosz, and
Aoife O’Donovan, whose first
release, I’m With Her, boasts a
riveting cover of John Hiatt’s
“Crossing Muddy Waters.” Oct
28, 7 & 9:30pm. ¥7,000. Blue
Note Tokyo. Omotesando.
Tel: 03-5485-0088. http://j.
mp/imwithher2015
Kamasi Washington
American jazz saxophonist
mainly known for his tenor
playing, which follows in the
traditions of John Coltrane
and Albert Ayler. Oct 30, 7
& 9:30pm; Oct 31-Nov 1, 5
& 8pm. ¥7,800. Blue Note
Tokyo. Omotesando. Tel:
03-5485-0088. http://j.mp/
washington2015
Ellen Oléria
Singer, musician, songwriter,
and actress from Brazil
specializing in genres such
as Música Popular Brasileira,
funk, and samba. Nov 2, 7 &
9:30pm. ¥6,800. Blue Note
Tokyo. Omotesando. Tel:
03-5485-0088. http://j.mp/
oleria2015
David Benoit featuring
Sara Gazarek
Jazz pianist Benoit with jazz
singer Gazarek. Oct 30 & Nov
2, 6:30 & 9pm; Nov 2, 6:30pm
to 9pm. ¥8,000-10,000.
Cotton Club. Tokyo. Tel:
03-3215-1555. http://j.mp/
benoitandgazarek2015
Deodato
Brazilian pianist most known
for his innovative rendition of
Richard Strauss’ classical opus
“Also Sprach Zarathustra,”
more commonly known as
the theme to 2001: A Space
Odyssey. Nov 2, 7 & 9:30pm;
Nov 3, 4:30 & 7:30pm.
¥6,800-8,800. Billboard Live.
Roppongi. Tel: 03-3405-
1133. http://j.mp/deodato2015
Blue Mountain Boys
Classic country and bluegrass.
Every third Sat, 6:30 & 7:30pm.
Free. Cafe Sepia. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-3406-1300. www.
nagaremono.com/sepia
CLASSICAL
Sibelius’s Complete
Symphonies
Conducted by Hannu Lintu
and performed by the New
Japan Philharmonic (Oct 7
& 10), and the Finnish Radio
Symphony Orchestra (Nov 2),
in celebration of the 150th
anniversary since Sibelius’
birth. Oct 7, 7pm; Oct 10,
6pm. ¥5,000-7,000. Nov 2,
7pm. ¥6,000-10,000. Sumida
Triphony Hall. Kinshicho. Tel:
03-5608-5404. http://j.mp/
lintusibelius2015
Wiener Philharmoniker
Week in Japan
A series of concerts performed
by the Wiener Philharmoniker
and conducted by Christoph
Eschenbach, who is currently
music director of both the
National Symphony Orchestra
and the John F. Kennedy
Center for the Performing
Arts. Oct 4-8, various times.
¥13,000-35,000. Suntory Hall.
Roppongi-itchome. Tel:
0570-55-0017. http://j.mp/
wienerweek2015
Concerts
POPULAR
Kitty, Daisy & Lewis
British three-piece band
featuring the siblings of the
Durham family, with Japanese
jazz band Ego-Wrappin’.
Oct 2, 7pm. ¥6,000-6,500.
Ex Theater Roppongi.
Roppongi or Nogizaka. Tel:
03-6406-2222. http://j.mp/
kittydaisy2015
Swervedriver
English alternative rock
band who emerged with a
heavier rock sound than their
shoegaze contemporaries, and
evolved to include elements
of psychedelia, classic pop,
and indie rock. Oct 8, 7:30pm.
¥6,800. duo Music Exchange.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-5459-8716.
http://j.mp/swervedriver2015
Räfven
Gypsy punk band from
Sweden performing original
music influenced by Eastern
European folk music and
the klezmer tradition. Oct 8,
7:30pm. ¥5,800. Club Quattro.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-3477-8750.
http://j.mp/rafven2015
!!!
Disco-punk band from
California—pronounced “Chk
Chk Chk”—comes to Japan
with their new album, As If.
Oct 9, 7pm. ¥6,000 +1d (adv).
Liquidroom. Ebisu. Tel:
03-5464-0800. www.beatink.
com/Events/ChkChkChk2015
Darkstar
Electronic music duo whose
third studio album Foam Island
will be released on Sep 30.
Oct 11, 12am. ¥4,000. WWW.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-5458-7685.
http://j.mp/darkstar2015
Paul Brady
Singer-songwriter,
multi-instrumentalist, and one
of Ireland’s most enduringly
popular artists. Oct 10-11,
5 & 8pm. ¥7,500-8,500.
Cotton Club. Tokyo. Tel:
03-3215-1555. http://j.mp/
paulbrady2015
Thee Oh Sees
American band with a wide
range of rock genres, such
as 1960s garage rock and
psychedelic rock. Oct 11, 7pm.
¥4,000 +1d (adv)/¥4,500 +1d
(door). Oct 13, 7:30pm. ¥4,500
+1d (adv)/¥5,000 +1d (door).
Tsutaya O-Nest. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-3462-4420. http://
iinioi.com/ohsees
Behemoth
Polish blackened death
metal band considered to
have played an important
role in establishing the Polish
extreme metal underground.
Oct 13, 7pm. ¥6,660. Club
Quattro. Shibuya. Tel:
03-3477-8750. http://j.mp/
behemothtokyo2015
Paul Weller
English singer-songwriter who
is also the principal figure
of the 1970s and ’80s mod
revival, and is often referred
to as “The Modfather.” Oct
14, 7pm. ¥8,000-9,000.
Zepp DiverCity. Daiba. Tel:
03-3527-5256. http://j.mp/
weller2015
Eric Benét
Grammy-nominated
American R&B and neo-soul
singer-songwriter. Oct 16,
7 & 9:30pm; Oct 17-18, 5
& 8pm. ¥8,900. Blue Note
Tokyo. Omotesando. Tel:
03-5485-0088. http://j.mp/
ericbenet2015
Daryl Hall & John Oates
American musical duo best
known for their hits such as
“Private Eyes,” “Rich Girl,”
and “Kiss on My List.” Oct 19,
7pm. ¥10,000-11,000. Nippon
Budokan. Kudanshita.
http://j.mp/hallandoates2015
Fear Factory
American metal band that
was enormously influential
on the heavy metal scene in
the mid-to-late 1990s. Oct
20, 7pm. ¥7,500. Liquidroom.
Ebisu. Tel: 03-5464-0800.
http://j.mp/fearfactory2015
Albert Hammond Jr.
American musician and
member of the indie rock
band The Strokes, in which he
plays guitar and keyboards.
Oct 21, 7:30pm. ¥6,500. duo
Music Exchange. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-5459-8716. Oct
22, 7:30pm. ¥6,500. Astro
Hall. Meiji-Jingumae. Tel:
03-3402-3089. http://j.mp/
hammondjr2015
Steve Arrington
American singer, songwriter
and drummer, formerly
of the renowned Dayton
group Slave. Oct 20-21, 7
& 9:30pm. ¥7,500-9,500.
Billboard Live. Roppongi.
Tel: 03-3405-1133. http://j.mp/
arrington2015
The Velvet Teen
Indie rock trio from Sonoma
County, California. Oct 26,
7:30pm. ¥4,000. Shindaita
Discount event tickets
Your source for discounted
tickets to upcoming events—
musicals, performance art,
plays, leisure activities,
culturalevents,andmore.Visit
our shop in Shibuya or Ginza
to check availability each day
starting at 10am. We're the
first discounted ticket shop
in Japan that’s like the TKTS
Discount Booths in New York!
http://ticketstoday.jp/
22

23. Game Symphony Japan
14th Concert
Professional concert focusing
exclusively on Sega game
music. Conducted by
Kenichi Shimura. Oct 10,
4:30pm. ¥6,500-8,500.
Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre.
Ikebukuro. Tel: 03-5391-
2111. http://j.mp/gsj14th
Flux Quartet
American string quartet
dedicated to the performance
of contemporary classical
music, renowned for its
performance of Morton
Feldman’s String Quartet
No. 2, which lasts for over
six hours. Oct 17, 3pm.
¥4,000. Kanagawa Kenmin
Hall. Nihonodori. Tel:
04-5662-8866. http://j.mp/
fluxquartet2015
Gidon Kremer and
Kremerata Baltica
Violinist Kremer and the
Kremerata Baltica Chamber
Orchestra perform Piazzolla’s
Las Estaciones, S.
Umebayashi’s Japanese Four
Seasons, and more. Oct 21,
7pm. ¥4,000-12,000. Suntory
Hall. Roppongi-itchome. Tel:
0570-55-0017. http://j.mp/
kremerata2015
Jazz meets Classic
Pianist Makoto Ozone
takes on classical pieces
with world-renowned jazz
saxophonist Branford Marsalis
and the Tokyo Metropolitan
Symphony Orchestra. Oct 24,
5pm. ¥3,000-5,000. Tokyo
Bunka Kaikan. Ueno. Tel:
03-3828-2111. www.t-bunka.
jp/en. Oct 25, 3pm. ¥3,000-
5,000. Olympus Hall Hachioji.
Hachioji. www.olympus.
hall-info.jp
The Philharmonics
Consisting of four members
of the Vienna Philharmonic,
one member of the Berlin
Philharmonic and two
extraordinarily gifted
brothers, The Philharmonics’
performances are informed
by the sound culture and
earnestness of the Wiener
Philharmoniker. Oct 26, 7pm.
¥6,500. Tokyo Metropolitan
Theatre. Ikebukuro. Tel:
03-5391-2111. http://j.mp/
philharmonics2015
Beethoven: Complete
Piano Concertos
With the Partitura Project led
by Maria João Pires, and the
New Japan Philharmonic.
Oct 27, 7pm. ¥5,000-
9,000. Sumida Triphony
Hall. Kinshicho. Tel:
03-5608-5404. http://j.mp/
partituraproject2015
Czech Philharmonic
Orchestra
Conducted by Jiří
Bělohlávek, with
performances of Smetana’s
Šárka, Mendelssohn’s Violin
Concerto in e minor, Op.64,
and more. Oct 28, 7pm.
¥7,000-20,000. Suntory Hall.
Roppongi-itchome. Tel:
0570-55-0017. http://j.mp/
czechphil2015
Deutsches Symphonie-
Orchester Berlin
Conducted by Tugan
Sokhiev, with performances
of Schubert’s Overture
to Rosamunde D.797,
Mendelssohn’s Overture
to Die Fingals-höhie, and
more. Oct 30, 7pm. ¥5,000-
18,000. Tokyo Metropolitan
Theatre. Ikebukuro. Tel:
03-5391-2111. http://j.mp/
deutsches2015. Nov 3, 2pm.
¥7,000-19,000. Suntory Hall.
Roppongi-itchome. Tel:
0570-55-0017. http://j.mp/
deutschesberlin2015
Chamber Orchestra
Sagamihara
An all-Mozart program
including Eine kleine
Nachtmusik, Symphony
No. 29, and more. Oct
31, 2pm. ¥5,000. Mori no
Hall. Hashimoto. Tel:
042-775-3811. http://j.mp/
sagamiharachamber2015
Clubbing
FRIDAY 2
The New Matrix Bar
Matrix Friday. Old-school
hip-hop, west side, south side,
all mix: DJ Ykk and more. From
6pm. ¥1,000 (after 11:30pm).
Roppongi. www.matrixbar.jp
Air
Daniel Avery. House: DJs
Daniel Avery, Nobu, etc. From
10pm. ¥3,500. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-5784-3384. www.
air-tokyo.com
Sound Museum Vision
Make Some Noise. Trap: DJs
Tropkillaz, Shintaro, etc. From
10pm. ¥3,500. Shibuya. Tel:
03-5728-2824. www.vision-
tokyo.com
The Room
Breakthrough. Hip-hop: DJs
Jin, Ladi Dadi, etc. From 10pm.
¥2,500 w/1d. Shibuya. www.
theroom.jp
T2
Shibuya Mixx. EDM: Various
DJs. From 10pm. (m)¥3,500
w/1d, (f)¥2,500 w/2d.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-5428-8692.
www.t2-shibuya.com
Ageha
Agepa. EDM, all mix: DJs
U5, Hokuto, etc. From 11pm.
(m)¥3,000 w/1d, (f)free.
Shinkiba. Tel: 03-5534-
2525. www.ageha.com
Club Asia
Bounce Up. House, electro:
DJs Wild Party, Broken Haze,
etc. From 11pm. ¥3,000.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-5458-2551.
www.clubasia.co.jp
Womb
Sterne. Techno: DJs San
Proper, Ishino, etc. From
11pm. ¥3,500. Shibuya. Tel:
03-5459-0039. www.womb.
co.jp
Liquidroom
Montreux Jazz Festival. Disco:
DJs Psychemagik, Eddie C, etc.
From 11:30pm. ¥3,500(adv).
Ebisu. Tel: 03-5464-0800.
www.liquidroom.net
Ruby Room
Take On Me: ’80s Night. 1980s
pop, rock, new wave, dance:
DJs timutaku, Timebred, etc.
From 11pm. Free. Shibuya.
Tel: 070-6969-4816
(daytime)/03-3780-
3022 (evenings). www.
rubyroomtokyo.com
SATURDAY 3
The New Matrix Bar
Saturday Night Fever. Hip-hop,
R&B, reggae: DJ Ykk and
more. From 6pm. ¥1,000 (after
10pm). Roppongi. www.
matrixbar.jp
Brand Tokyo
Weekend Carnival. Electro,
oldies, etc.: DJs Yuta Adachi,
Sero, etc. From 7pm. Free
entry until 12am, (m)¥3,500,
(f)¥1,000 (after 12am).
Roppongi. Tel: 03-3408-
1111. http://brandtokyo.net
Air
Lose Yourself. House,
techno: DJs Terre Thaemlitz,
Sodeyama, etc. Live:
Recondite. From 10pm.
¥3,500. Shibuya. Tel:
03-5784-3384. www.air-tokyo.
com
Sound Museum Vision
Seeds. Techno, house: DJs
Haruka, Wakasa, etc. From
10pm. ¥3,500. Shibuya. Tel:
03-5728-2824. www.vision-
tokyo.com
The Room
Prove. Deep house, disco:
DJs Endo, Aoyama, etc.
From 10pm. ¥2,000 w/1d.
Shibuya. www.theroom.jp
T2
Shibuya Mixx. EDM: Various
DJs. From 10pm. (m)¥3,500
w/1d, (f)¥2,500 w/2d.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-5428-8692.
www.t2-shibuya.com
Ageha
Tokyo Wonder Night. EDM,
house: DJs Chocolate Puma,
Kiyoko, etc. From 11pm.
¥3,500. Shinkiba. Tel:
03-5534-2525. www.ageha.
com
Club Asia
Awapa. House, techno: DJs
Nanshiki Globe 15, Takeru,
etc. From 11pm. (m)¥3,500,
(f)¥2,500. Shibuya. Tel:
03-5458-2551. www.clubasia.
co.jp
Lounge Neo
Iscream. Hip-hop: DJs
Atsu, Chii, etc. From 11pm.
¥2,500 w/1d. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-5458-2551. http://
loungeneo.iflyer.jp
Womb
06s. Drum’n‘bass: DJs The
Prototypes, Aki, etc. From
11pm. ¥3,500. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-5459-0039. www.
womb.co.jp
Daikanyama Unit
Cabaret Recording. DJs Binh,
Masda, etc. Live: So Inagawa.
From 11:30pm. ¥ 3,000.
Daikanyama. Tel: 03-5459-
8630. www.unit-tokyo.com
Cave
Kaleidoscope Vol. 2: Bom
Shanka Music Night vs.
Mini Little Maharashtra.
Psychedelic trance party: DJs
Nuky, Atesh, etc. Live: tec.
¥3,000 w/1d/¥2,500 (w/flyer).
Koenji. Tel: 03-5929-9099.
www.djsbarcave.tokyo
SUNDAY 4
T2
Global Allmix Party. All
mix: Various DJs. From
10pm. (m)¥2,500 w/2d,
(f)¥1,500 w/2d. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-5428-8692. www.
t2-shibuya.com
The Room
Signum. House, techno: DJs
Miboo, Kagayaki, etc. 6-11pm.
¥2,000 w/1d. Shibuya.
www.theroom.jp
MONDAY 5
Air
World Wide of Bass House.
House: DJs Takizawa, Takeru,
etc. From 10pm. ¥2,000 w/1d.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-5784-3384.
www.air-tokyo.com
T2
T2Monday. EDM: Various DJs.
From 10pm. (m)¥2,500 w/2d,
(f)¥1,500 w/2d. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-5428-8692. www.
t2-shibuya.com
Womb
Feel. Techno, house:
DJs Kazuma, Kenta, etc.
From 10pm. ¥1,500 w/1d.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-5459-0039.
www.womb.co.jp
Shibuya
2F Dogenzaka Center Bldg.
2-29-8 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku
03-5459-1736 |sali6581@sapporo-lion.co.jp
http://r.gnavi.co.jp/g008214/
Shinagawa
Shinagawa Mitsubishi Bldg.
B1F Grand Passage
2-16-3 Kounan, Minato-ku
03-6718-2834 | sali6654@sapporo-lion.co
http://r.gnavi.co.jp/g008220/
Akasaka
B1 Sannou Park Tower
2-11-1 Nagatacho, Chiyoda-ku
03-3539-3615 | sali2645@sapporo-lion.co.jp
r.gnavi.co.jp/g008233/
Closed: Sat., Sun., & Holidays
Shinjuku
2F Shinjuku Lion Hall
3-28-9 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
03-3352-6606 | sali3292@sapporo-lion.co.jp
http://r.gnavi.co.jp/g209300/
Ikebukuro
B1 Sun Gorou Bldg.
1-10-8 Nishi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku
03-5951-3614 | sali2709@sapporo-lion.co.jp
http://r.gnavi.co.jp/g029000/
Each
branch
has
different
hours.
We
welcome
all kinds
of parties.
Please
contact us.
www.dubliners.jp
Saturday,
October 10
All pints of
draught beer
Special hours 3pm-11pm
¥500
19ANNIVERSARY
th
DUBLINERS’
IKEBUKURO
(Guinness, Kilkenny,
Yebisu)
23

24. TUESDAY 6
Ruby Room
Open Mic. From 7pm. ¥1,500
w/2d. Shibuya. Tel: 03-3780-
3022 (evenings) / 070-6969-
4816 (daytime). www.
rubyroomtokyo.com
Air
The Choice. Techno: DJs Itoh,
Hiyama, etc. From 10pm.
¥2,000 w/1d. Shibuya. Tel:
03-5784-3384. www.air-tokyo.
com
T2
Super Tuesday. EDM: Various
DJs. From 10pm. (m)¥2,500
w/2d, (f)¥1,500 w/2d.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-5428-8692.
www.t2-shibuya.com
Lounge Neo
Up to Your. Bass, trap: DJs
Ishikawa, Sasarisa, etc. From
10pm. ¥2,000 w/1d. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-5458-2551. http://
loungeneo.iflyer.jp
Womb
Tuemix. EDM: DJs Alpha
One, Reon, etc. From 10pm.
(m)¥1,500, (f) free. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-5459-0039. www.
womb.co.jp
WEDNESDAY 7
T2
Shibuya Girls Party.
EDM: Various DJs. From
10pm. (m)¥2,500 w/2d,
(f)¥1,500 w/2d. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-5428-8692. www.
t2-shibuya.com
Womb
Wedm. EDM: DJs Hiroki, Yo, etc.
From 10pm. (m)¥1,500, (f) free.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-5459-0039.
www.womb.co.jp
The Room
Noi. House, techno: DJs Ai,
Niwa, etc. 7-11pm. Free.
Shibuya. www.theroom.jp
THURSDAY 8
Air
Aft’err Hours. Techno, house:
DJs Den, Jitsumitsu, etc. From
10pm. ¥2,000 w/1d. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-5784-3384. www.
air-tokyo.com
T2
Hand’s Up. World mix: Various
DJs. From 10pm. (m)¥2,500
w/2d, (f)¥1,500 w/2d.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-5428-8692.
www.t2-shibuya.com
Womb
Play the Beat. EDM: DJs Kenta,
Goshun, etc. From 10pm.
(m)¥1,500, (f)free. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-5459-0039. www.
womb.co.jp
FRIDAY 9
The New Matrix Bar
Matrix Friday. Old-school
hip-hop, west side, south side,
all mix: DJ Ykk and more. From
6pm. ¥1,000 (after 11:30pm).
Roppongi. www.matrixbar.jp
Air
Terra Incognita. Techno: DJs
Peverelist, Hodge, etc. From
10pm. ¥3,500. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-5784-3384. www.
air-tokyo.com
Sound Museum Vision
Girls Festival. Hip-hop: DJs
Kaori, Kango, etc. From 10pm.
(m)¥3,500 w/1d, (f)free.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-5728-2824.
www.vision-tokyo.com
T2
Shibuya Mixx. EDM: Various
DJs. From 10pm. (m)¥3,500
w/1d, (f)¥2,500 w/2d.
Shibuya. Tel: 03-5428-8692.
www.t2-shibuya.com
Lounge Neo
G-Djp. Hip-hop, EDM: DJs
Dekoi, Sachi, etc. From 10pm.
¥2,500 w/1d. Shibuya.
Tel: 03-5458-2551. http://
loungeneo.iflyer.net
Ageha
Heroes and Villains. EDM: DJs
Vivid, Inagee, etc. From
11pm. (m)¥3,000, (f)¥2,500.
Shinkiba. Tel: 03-5534-2525.
www.ageha.com
The Room
Destination. Broken beats,
deep house: DJs Oka, Sayuri,
etc. From 11pm. ¥2,000 w/1d.
Shibuya. www.theroom.jp
Club Asia
Tokyo Gorilla. Hip-hop: DJs
Taiki, Yukijirushi, etc. From
11pm. ¥3,000. Shibuya. Tel:
03-5458-2551. www.clubasia.
co.jp
Womb
Intention. Techno, house: DJs
Jewel Kid, Mayuri, etc. From
11pm. ¥3,500. Shibuya. Tel:
03-5459-0039. www.womb.
co.jp
Liquidroom
!!! Dance music: DJ Kindness.
Live: !!! and more. From
11:30pm. ¥6,000(adv). Ebisu.
Tel: 03-5464-0800. www.
liquidroomtokyo.com
Dance
Chikamatsu Dance
Contemporary dance
performance which draws
upon the dramatist Chikamatsu
Monzaemon as its theme. Oct
9 & 16, 7pm; Oct 10, 11, 17, &
18, 2pm. ¥3,240-5,400. The
New National theatre, Tokyo.
Hatsudai. Tel: 03-5352-9999.
http://j.mp/chikamatsu2015
The Sleeping Beauty
Performed by The Matsuyama
Ballet, with music performed
by the Kanagawa Philharmonic
Orchestra. Oct 24, 3:30pm.
¥3,000-10,000. Kanagawa
Kenmin Hall. Nihon Odori.
Tel: 045-633-3686. http://j.mp/
matsuyamasleeping2015
Dance Dance Asia
A project designed to
encourage collaboration and
support exchange between
and among dance companies
and dancers in Southeast
Asia, with a focus on street
dance and a variety of other
genres such as jazz and
contemporary dance. Watch
performances by groups such
as Wrecking Crew Orchestra,
Reckless, Blue Tokyo, and
more. Oct 28-30, 7pm; Oct
31, 3 & 7pm; Nov 1, 4:30pm.
¥3,000-4,000. Setagaya Public
Theater. Sangenjaya. http://
dancedanceasia.com/en
Tales of Hoffmann
Ballet which fascinates with its
theme of love woven by richly
individual stage presences such
as the hero, Hoffmann, who
appears in various life stages
from youth to the onset of old
age, the three women whose
hearts he stole, and the devil
who appears in a multitude of
roles under different guises.
Oct 30, 7pm; Oct 31, 1 & 6pm;
Nov 1 & 3, 2pm. ¥3,240-12,960.
New National Theatre Tokyo.
Hatsudai. http://j.mp/
hoffmann2015
Stage
Top Hat
One of the greatest dance
musicals of all time, Top
Hat brings the glamour of
Hollywood’s golden age and
the glorious, tap-dancing magic
of Fred Astaire and Ginger
Rogers to the stage. Until Oct
12, various times. ¥5,000-
13,000. Tokyu Theatre Orb.
Shibuya. Tel: 0570-077-039.
www.umegei.com/tophat_
musical/english.html
Das Rheingold
Wagner’s opera which took
its theme from the German
Nibelungenlied (The Song of the
Nibelungs) and Nordic myths,
conducted by Taijiro Iimori. Oct
4, 7, 10, & 17, 2pm; Oct 14, 7pm.
¥5,400-27,000. New National
Theatre Tokyo. Hatsudai.
http://j.mp/dasrheingold2015
Needles and Opium
Robert Lepage’s play exploring
the complex relationships
between displacement, drug
addiction, and the creative
drive, as revealed through the
lives of artist Jean Cocteau
and jazzman Miles Davis. Oct
9, 7pm; Oct 10, 1 & 6pm; Oct
11-12, 1pm. ¥5,500-7,500.
Setagaya Public Theatre.
Sangenjaya. http://
setagaya-pt.jp
Turandot
Puccini’s opera performed by
the Sofia National Opera. Oct
10, 3pm. ¥7,000-20,000. Tokyo
Bunka Kaikan. Ueno. www.
japanarts.co.jp/bulgaria2015/
english.html
Prince Igor
Borodin’s opera performed by
the Sofia National Opera. Oct
11, 3pm. ¥7,000-20,000. Tokyo
Bunka Kaikan. Ueno. www.
japanarts.co.jp/bulgaria2015/
english.html
Murmurs
A tour of whirlwind romance,
city confusion, undersea
encounters, and dining-
room debacles told through
a blend of theatre, illusion,
and dance by director and
designer Victoria Thierrée
Chaplin with Aurélia Thierrée.
Oct 16, 7:30pm; Oct 17-18,
3pm. ¥4,000. Setagaya Public
Theater. Sangenjaya. http://
setagaya-pt.jp
Exhibitions
ENDING SOON
Leaps in Evolution: Tracing
the Path of Vertebrate
Evolution
Invaluable fossils of
backboned creatures are
presented alongside the
latest DNA-based research
findings, reconstructed
models of prehistoric animals,
and 4K video images to
review the great journey of
vertebrate evolution. Until
能
Crossing the language barrier to share “Noh” with the world.
Saturday, November 21, 2015 at 2pm
(Experience Corner at 12pm)
Kita Noh Theatre
Tickets: Tixee (For English) https://tixee.tv/
All seats reserved
Price: Adult ¥3,500 / Student ¥1,500
Now on sale
Saturday, November 21, 2015 at 2pm
(Experience Corner at 12pm)
Kita Noh Theatre
Tickets: Tixee (For English) https://tixee.tv/
All seats reserved
Price: Adult ¥3,500 / Student ¥1,500
Now on sale
Organized by Arts Council Tokyo
(Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture)
Supported by / in cooperation with Tokyo Metropolitan Government
www.tokyo-tradition.jp/eng/
Noh Theater:Beyond Words, Beyond Borders
Japanese Handicrafts
Exhibition
An exhibition showcasing
Japanese handicrafts held
at the “Ryotei” tea house
located in Kiyosumi Garden.
Lunch is provided, and you
can participate in workshops
using products by Japanese
artists. A maximum of 30
spots available. Advance
reservation required. ¥3,800
(lunch/workshops included).
Kiyosumishirakawa
(Oedo/Hanzomon line). To
make a reservation, visit
www.takenobu.tokyo/en/
nouvelle/20150204.html
or contact takenobu_exp@
icloud.com.
OCT 24 & NOV 8, 12PM
24