Crossing Boarders: Japanese Popular Music, Culture and Identity

Presented by the School of Music, English & Theatre, Goldsmiths, join us for an engaging exploration of Japan’s popular culture through lectures, presentations and workshop.

Speakers and Papers

Session 1: Constructing Japan Through Music and Performance

Dr Naomi Matsumoto (Goldsmiths), ‘Hidden Eros, Forgotten Histories: the Making of Japan's Musical Identity’

Dr Moeko Hayashi, (independent scholar), ‘From Ukiyoe to Opera: Nicola LeFanu’s Tokaido Road’

Dr Raymond Sookram (Goldsmiths) and Elizabeth J. Parkes (University of Bristol/ Daiwa-Anglo-Japanese Foundation Scholar), ‘On the Precipice of Musical Adaption: Tracking Variations on Bleach’s Themes Over 20 Years’

Session 2: Bon Odori in Motion: Fusing Folk Tradition and Contemporary Culture

Prof Masa Yasuda (Kyoto Seika University), ‘Resonating Folk Dance: Mobility, Communality and Spirituality’

Prof Yusuke Wajima (University of Osaka), ‘Bon Odori as Nexus: Folk Meets Popular through Song and Dance’

Many thanks to our funders: Japan Foundation and The Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation.

Venue: Linton Kwesi Johnson Lecture Theatre, Professor Stuart Hall building (previously known as LG02)

Free, but please book via Eventbrite