“Sound and dance of locals” performance from Japan's Kawashima-bayashi

For more than 200 years, this traditional dance music has been performed through generation to generation among the people in Kawashima district in Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama city. It became the first designated intangible cultural asset by the city in 1980.

The origin of Kawashima-bayashi is thought to be the annual festivals performed by farmers to thank the nature spirits for good harvest. Nowadays, they have important role not only in the seasonal festive events (like summer festival, New Year's festival) or feast.

Artists play drums, gong and bamboo flute, accompanied by dancers wearing traditional masks and costumes. Its comical performances are popular among the locals these days as an essential to celebrations.

Around 200 free seats (first-come, first-served) will be available at the open stage in courtyard of The Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam, No 27 Quang Trung, Hoan Kiem district./.