2025.12.13 “Kagerohi” kokuu – Yasunari Kawabata’s Gaze on Beauty –
Following on from our performance at Ryosoku-in Zen Temple, Kennin-ji in Kyoto in July, we will now be performing at Houkokuji Temple in Kamakura in a special project organized by JTB and creatively directed by Takayuki Tanaka, flower artist.
691 years ago, in the pivotal transition between the Kamakura and Nanboku-cho periods, Hokoku-ji Temple was founded. This land has long been known as “Takuma-gayatsu,” named after the Takuma school—a collective of esteemed artists who resided here from the Heian through the Nanboku-cho eras.
In 1935, the modern era brought the legendary writer Yasunari Kawabata to this very site. Kawabata made Kamakura his lifelong home, creating a body of work that would eventually establish his legacy as “Kawabata” on the global stage.
Within the landscape of Hokoku-ji—a place that acts as a magnetic field for the arts—we invite you to an experience that transcends time, connecting you with the narrative world of Kawabata and his profound portrayal of Japanese aesthetics.
“Kagerohi” kokuu – Yasunari Kawabata’s Gaze on Beauty –
13 December 2025 (Saturday) 16:00 ＠Houkokuji Temple, Kamakura
Capacity: 10 people
Price: ¥144,000 (tax included) including dinner
Hokoku-ji is a Zen Buddhist temple of the Rinzai Kencho-ji school, founded in 1334. Historically, it flourished as the family temple for the influential Ashikaga and Uesugi clans and remains one of the most prestigious temples in Kamakura.
Behind the main hall lies a breathtaking grove of approximately 2,000 Moso bamboo trees.
Beyond the bamboo grove lies a cluster of yagura—cave tombs carved into the hillside. These serve as the final resting place for members of the Ashikaga clan, including Ietoki Ashikaga, the grandfather of the first Muromachi Shogun Takauji, and Yoshihisa Ashikaga, who later committed ritual suicide in Kamakura.
Arisa Omori in the female role—reunited after our Kyoto project.
This project has officially sold out early. We are preparing a unique and welcoming space to provide you with a truly special experience.
Tea are served amidst the serene bamboo grove.
An improvisational performance by cellist Ayano Kamimura.
The chef at Seiyu, Ryo Utsumi, prepared a wonderful meal based on the Tale of the Bamboo Cutter.
This time, the theme is Yasunari Kawabata, who lived in front of Hokokuji Temple, and we will be performing Gedda’s “Mononoke,” inspired by “The Tale of Genji,” which influenced Kawabata, and Yu Kuwabara’s “Love Song,” based on Yasunari Kawabata’s novel “One Arm”.
The writing desk left behind by Yasunari Kawabata.
Program:
Annachiara Gedda “MONONOKE” for Noh voice and Violoncello (2018)
Yu Kuwabara “Love song – on the excerpt from One Arm” for Noh voice, bass flute (doubling flute), and cello (2007) on an excerpt from ‘Kata-ude (One Arm)’ by Yasunari Kawabata
Ryoko Aoki (Noh voice) Yoshie Ueno (Flute) Ayano Uemura (Violoncello)
The meal by Ryo Utsumi was wonderful!
After the performance, we were able to try some samples while waiting for a taxi. They were so delicious that we were moved.
With Creative Director Takayuki Tanaka. Thank you for such a precious opportunity.