Category: Updates

‘An Ordinary Life’ at Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art

On By Kanariya EishiIn Japanese History, Life, Notice, UpdatesLeave a comment

As we mark the 80th year since the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, An Ordinary Life— a video installation created by Fiona Amundsen and me for Christchurch Art Gallery—is currently on display at the Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art.

The work reflects real and imagined conversations with my late grandfather, an eyewitness of the destruction of the Nagasaki atomic bomb. We used rakugo as our medium of storytelling, incorporating zanshin, a concept from aikido, which Fiona practices (2nd dan black belt).

The exhibition runs until 15 September. If you happen to be in the area, please visit and take a moment to reflect on the importance of peace.

The world we live in, I believe, is not the kind of world those who departed in WWII envisioned. It feels overwhelming to try to change the entire world—but I can change myself, and perhaps a few people around me.

Am I walking a path of peace?

I want to become a more peaceful person, so I won’t disappoint my grandpa when I see him again in the next world—if such a place exists.

* Photos were kindly provided by my rakugo master, Kanariya Eiraku, who visited the museum during his recent trip to Hiroshima.

How to use chopsticks properly?

On By Kanariya EishiIn Japanese Culture, Notice, Random, Trivia, UpdatesLeave a comment

Did you know how to use chopsticks properly?

More importantly, did you know how to split ‘waribashi’ or the disposable chopsticks correctly?

Here‘s a video that I made to explain just that with a bit of humour: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1665815060994430/

It’s for St Pierres Sushi, which I’d been a big fan of since before this project. It’s a fun project to work on, so hope it will go on for a bit.

Please like/ comment to let them know what you think!

Rakugo Performance/ Workshop at “World of Cultures Japan”!

On By Kanariya EishiIn Notice, UpdatesLeave a comment

Kia ora!

I’m thrilled to share some exciting news about an upcoming event that celebrates the rich tapestry of cultures in our vibrant city—”World of Cultures”!

I will be doing a rakugo performance/ workshop at the event, but there will also be a taiko performance and an origami workshop on the day!

Join me on Saturday, 5 April 2025, at Epsom Library for a day filled with the enchanting traditions of Japan. I am still not sure about the exact timing of the rakugo performance/ workshop, but I will post it here and my SNS once confirmed.

You can find more information on Our Auckland 😊

A Possibility of Reviving the Rakugo Club?

On By Kanariya EishiIn Notice, Updates2 Comments

Kia ora!

As a few people have asked me if I am willing to revive the rakugo club, I am writing this to suss out if there is enough interest out there to resume the group.

Learning from my past mistakes, I will approach it a bit differently this time if you are interested in participating in this only rakugo community in New Zealand.

  1. As it is the traditional way, I am still willing to teach rakugo free of charge. However, this time I’d like the participants to organise a venue for me. I want to focus on just teaching rakugo (in the past, I had to do most of the admin myself).
  2. This time I will make, for example, a 10 week-long curriculum to end the term with a public performance. I’d like students who actually want to perform at the end of the programme.
  3. The problem of a free programme was that many people didn’t show up regularly, but this time I’d expect participants to show up at least 80% of the sessions.
  4. I have a few women’s kimono donated to the club for you to use, but otherwise you will need to organise your own kimono. A very cheap ones can be purchased for $30-50 at Asia Gallery Kimono Emporium.
  5. If you don’t live in Auckland, please do not contact me regarding this (as it happens a lot!). If you do, I am sorry but I will disregard your message!

If you are interested in getting involved, please message me via the contact page or one of my SNS.

Performing Rakugo on Saturday 7 September!

On By Kanariya EishiIn Notice, UpdatesLeave a comment

I’m letting you know that my rakugo performance at Te Pou Theatre is happening this weekend!

Some people have asked me what time my slot is, so here you go!

PLACE: Tāhū Studio at Te Pou (Corban Estate Arts Centre, 2 Mt Lebanon Lane, Henderson, Waitakere)

TIME (for my performance): 2:15PM-2:45PM

As I mentioned before, it’s a part of Whānau Day, and you can check out heaps of other amazing artists, too, FOR FREE!

Hope to see you there, and make sure to say hi to me!