KOTOBUKI — A Celebration in the Sounds of Kabuki

Fuji Japanese Music will perform at the OC Japan Fair in Costa Mesa!

Today, Sunday, October 18, 2026

3:30 PM

OC Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa

Join us for live nagauta music from the world of Kabuki: singing (uta), shamisen, kotsuzumi, ōtsuzumi and taiko. Our guests are Nagauta Shiki no Kai.

Program

1. Hinazuru Sanbaso (c. 1755): A celebratory piece rooted in Noh’s oldest ceremonial work, praying for peace and a rich harvest.

2. Echigo Jishi (1811): A cheerful piece about lion-dance street performers from snowy Echigo. Its melody even appears in Puccini’s Madama Butterfly!

3. Tsurukame (1851): A festive piece depicting the crane and the turtle, symbols of long life, at the emperor’s New Year celebration.

4. Fuji Musume (1826): A musical portrait of the spirit of wisteria, who appears as a young woman longing for love. You may know it from the film Kokuho.

Fuji Japanese Music (Fuji-no-kai) is a nonprofit organization in Gardena, California, dedicated to the traditional music of Kabuki. Founder Mariko Watabe has performed and taught this art in the United States since 1973. New students are always welcome!

We hope to see you there!