Tracing the Kan’ei Gyoko of four centuries ago through gagaku.
On November 28, “Journey Through the Kan’ei Gyoko with Gagaku” will be held at the Kyoto Prefectural Center for Arts and Culture.
In the autumn of 1626 (Kan’ei 3), Emperor Go-Mizunoo traveled from the Gosho (Kyoto Imperial Palace) to Nijo Castle in the Kan’ei Gyoko. At Nijo Castle, leading figures from the Imperial Court and the Tokugawa Shogunate gathered for magnificent festivities showcasing the finest cultural traditions of the time, including gagaku (Japanese imperial court music), Noh, waka poetry, and kangen (instrumental gagaku).
In this performance, the Kyoto Gagaku Academy will explore the history surrounding the Kan’ei Gyoko while bringing to the stage the world of gagaku performed during the Imperial Visit.
We invite you to journey through the Kan’ei Gyoko with music, while imagining the sounds of gagaku that resonated through Kyoto four centuries ago.
Program
Day 1 of the Imperial Visit
［Michigaku (processional gagaku)］Taishikicho: Bato
Day 3 of the Imperial Visit
［Kangen (instrumental gagaku)］Hyojo: Keitoku
［Saibara (ancient Japanese court song)］Ise no Umi
Day 2 of the Imperial Visit
［Bugaku (court dance accompanied by gagaku music)］Enbu: San Setsu
Right-side Dance — Koma Ichikotsucho: Nasori
Left-side Dance — Banshikicho: Rindai and Seigaiha
Chogeishi
Commentary
Koji Sato
Director, Gagaku Association; Professor Emeritus, Tenri University; General Director, Tenri University Gagaku Music Club
About the Kyoto Gagaku Academy
▶ Official Website
▶ Instagram: @gagaku_tawamure
Event Information
| Date & Time | Saturday, November 28, 2026 Performance begins at 5:00 p.m. (Doors open at 4:30 p.m.) |
|---|---|
| Venue | Kyoto Prefectural Center for Arts and Culture ・From JR Kyoto Station or Hankyu Kyoto-kawaramachi Station: Take a bus and get off at “Furitsu Idai-mae.” The venue is immediately nearby. ・12-minute walk from Keihan Jingu-marutamachi Station or Demachiyanagi Station |
| Admission | Same-day Ticket: ¥3,500 Advance Ticket: ¥3,000 (All seating is unreserved.) |
| Ticket Inquiries | Masanori Fujimura, Director, Kyoto Gagaku Academy TEL: 090-1906-8996 |
| Organizer | Kyoto Gagaku Academy |
| Supported by | Kyoto Prefecture, City of Kyoto, Kyoto City Board of Education |
