Kibigaku is the composite art with music and dance, which was founded by Yoshihide Kishimoto, a Gagaku musician of former Okayama domain in 1872. Kibigaku was performed when Munetada Shrine in Omoto, Okayama City was built. And since then, Kibigaku has been the official ritual music of Kurozumikyo (a type of Japanese religion).
Gagaku was made up of music and dance of Asian countries and those of ancient Japan. Its base was established in around the 10th century and has been passed on until now in various ways. Gagaku has been performed as the music for the court and religious ceremonies.
In 1968 Patti McLoughlin (now Patti Brady), spent more than six weeks as a student visiting our Sister City, Okayama, Japan. She lived with two families a total of 5 weeks and stayed with three other families. The visit left an indelible impression on her which she would like to share with all of you. The delegation arriving in San Jose in just a few days will include a contingent of former exchange students from Okayama, host parents of exchange students that went from San Jose to Okayama and their friends. Many private reunions will be held. Many memories revisited and many new friends made. This is an important part of the citizen-to-citizen relationship that Sister Cities is all about.
The public is welcome to attend the Flag raising at San Jose City Hall, 2pm, Friday, 4/21
Patti’s words from 1968 follow:
“During my 3 months in Japan I visited Tokyo, Nikko, Kobe, Yokohama, Hiroshima Nara and other interesting sights What did I like most? Well, the answer is the people. The people in Okayama (and for that matter everywhere we went) gave us their friendship and their love. On the streets, in the little towns, the beach and at all our talks they listened with interest and sincere friendship in mind. They made me feel welcome, at home and they let me become a part of their everyday life. Through this they have contributed to the understanding of our two nations. Although we are different in many aspects we can still live happily side-by-side productively and helping one another. That fact it is possible could prove to everyone we can have brotherhood. To me the road to brotherhood lies in the understanding of the ideas, the customs and the cultures of our foreign neighbors – sister city relationships prove this!”
SJSU Hammer Theater-60th anniversary performances “From ancient traditional music and dance, to sister city traditions perpetuated by young wadaiko drummers from Japan, to contemporary music and professional hip hop performances, this is an evening to learn, to experience and to lift the spirit.”
$3 children under 12 years
$5 Students 13-20yrs and Seniors 65yrs +
$8 Adult
Doors open 6:30pm Show starts 7:00pm
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April 23, 2017 Sunday
Ticket sales end Monday 4/17/17
At the Rotary Summit Center from 6:30pm
Featuring flutist Ray Furuta. Ray will be traveling to Okayama in October 2017 to participate in the annual music festival as an official representative of the City of San Jose, CA
