In Kinosaki: Old Friends, New Stories
June 2026
Kinosaki /Millionza - Toyooka, Hyogo
Festival de minuit
The performance in Toyooka, Hyogo has come to a close.
I had the pleasure of collaborating with a university comedy theater troupe, performing a new original Biwa piece written by one of the students.
The story?
About a stork that gets hit by a train.
I never imagined I’d be telling a story like this on the biwa!
The biwa is mostly associated with classical and historical narratives, but this project reminded me that it can also carry contemporary stories too- even strange, surreal and dark-humored ones.
The other pieces in the show were even more provoking, and spending time with these young artists was so mind opening.
More than anything though, I was so happy to return to Kinosaki.
Eight years ago, before becoming an apprentice, I came here to work at a traditional inn to save money for my training. Reconnecting with the community I had immersed myself in back then, I felt immediately at home.
So grateful to Nishigaki-san of BookStore iChi, who pulled me into this project, and to everyone who made this stay so heartwarming.
Back then, I would walk these streets dreaming:
“Someday, I want to come back here to perform.”
And what a full circle experience to be strolling down the streets of Kinosaki again, this time with Biwa in hand!
This town that I love so much, was every bit as special as I remembered.
