Teikyo University Recurrent College "Tradition x Internationalization - Connecting the World and Interacting with Imagination" held atKasumigaseki Campus

On Thursday, July 31, 2025, Teikyo University Recurrent College GJS Symposium "Internationalization × Tradition: Imagination in a Connected World" was held at Teikyo University Kasumigaseki Campus. This symposium is co-hosted by the University of Faculty of Languages and Cultures Department of Global Japanese Studies and Okinaga Research Institute every year, and this year marks the third time.
First, as the coordinator, the university Faculty of Languages and Cultures Department of Global Japanese Studies Senior Assistant Professor Buugne Magali explained the purpose of the symposium and introduced the department's multilingual cultural exchange initiatives.
In the topic presentation, people who are active in various fields, mainly Noh Kyogen, gave presentations, considering Japan's traditional culture as an "ongoing culture" that is reinterpreted and recreated in an international context rather than a "legacy of the past".
Richard Emmert, Honorary Professor of Musashino University, who is also the founder and former artistic director of Theater Noh, a multilingual Noh creation, demonstrated creative Noh songs sung in English, French, and Spanish, demonstrating the spread of Noh.
Shitennoji University Faculty of Liberal Arts Japan Associate Professor Akiko Ueki compared the expressions of Noh Kyogen "Demon Slayer" with the original manga and anime versions, clarifying the characteristics and charms of each, and considering the new flavors brought about by the Noh Kyogen version.
Mathieu Kapel, Professor of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Graduate School of the University of Tokyo, discussed how avant-garde filmmaker Yoshishige Yoshida deepened his interest in and discovered the traditional creative style of Noh through four events: stage direction, documentaries, feature films, and writing the new Noh "Onmyoji Seimei Abe".
Soraya Umewaka, who is also a filmmaker and director of modern Noh, explored the possibilities of Noh expression in modern times by introducing examples of performances using techniques such as projection mapping while emphasizing minimal movement and emotional expression, while touching on the philosophy of Noh no Seami.
Meijo University Faculty of Languages and Cultures Professor Yusuke Suzumura examined how the musical aspects of the internationally acclaimed Japan films "Rashomon," "The Tale of the Rainy Moon," and "Spider's Web Castle" supported the musical aspects of images that expressed Japan sensibilities and events, along with the challenging attempts of Fumio Hayasaka and Masaru Sato.
In the concluding session, they presented new possibilities for Noh Kyogen, where tradition and innovation coexist and continue to live in the present day, and shared their perspectives on how to create modern culture while inheriting tradition.

Teikyo University Recurrent College will continue to give back the university's diverse knowledge to society and provide a place of learning for many people.

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