In celebration of the 40th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation, the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines has invited the Naoshima Onna Bunraku troupe to perform at the Maestranza Park, Intramuros Manila on February 11, 2013.
Naoshima Onna Bunraku is a unique all-women puppetry troupe from the island of Naoshima in southern Japan.Revived by a group of women after World War II, it is now considered to be the only all women puppetry tradition in Japan. Kagawa Prefecture has recognized the women's accomplishments and designated the troupe as a tangible and intangible heritage of the prefecture.
The UP Center for International Studies Bunraku Ensemble and the Noh Theatre Ensemble will also perform brief excerpts in support of the Naoshima Onna Bunraku performances.
The Maestranza Park, chosen as the pivotal outdoor setting of the Naoshima Onna Bunraku, is located beside the Pasig River. One of the park's main attractions is the Almacenes Curtain Wall which served as the military quarters and royal chambers during the Spanish period and was destroyed during the Second World War. With the support of the Japanese Government, this historical landmark was restored and is now being developed as a premier tourist destination in Intramuros.
Through the cooperation of Hanamaru Udon and the Organization to Promote Japanese Restaurants Abroad (JRO), the event will be complemented by the sumptuous taste of authentic Japanese food, the Sanuki Udon (wheat based noodle) from Kagawa Prefecture where Naoshima Onna Bunraku comes from.
This event is co-organized by the University of the Philippines Center for International Studies, Department of Tourism with the cooperation of the Japan Foundation Manila, Intramuros Administration and sponsored by Japan Tobacco International, and the Organization to Promote Japanese Restaurants Abroad (JRO).
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