Biography
Akira Katogi /加藤木 朗
Contemporary japanese folk performer / Stage Director
Background
Raised in the historical theater company Warabi-Za, Katogi grew up learning a variety of Japanese traditional arts including: Nihon-Buyo, Kagura (folk dance and ritual dance dedicated to Shinto deities), and Ohayashi (festival music) from across Japan.
During his 20’s, Katogi furthered his studies by traveling across Japan with the folk performance troupe Dengaku-za, interviewing and learning from various local tradition preservation groups.
Drawing from his vast knowledge of folk performances, Katogi arranges these traditional pieces nurtured in villages across Japan, transforming them into a stage performance ready for a contemporary and global audience.
”Music-Dance-Theater”
Perhaps the most notable aspect of katogi’s work is his unique narrative experience called “Oto-Mai-Gatari” or “Music-Dance-Theater”.
Blending elements of traditional folk music, dance, and Kyogen theater (Katogi studied with Senzaburo Shigeyama sensei for over ten years), Katogi’s original narratives are at once comedic and ephemeral, exploring contemporary topics while immersed in the world of folklore. Described as a “Japanese musical” or “Japanese operetta“, the drama of the human experience unfolds in his unique world where dance and theater, past and present become inseparably one.
Performances
Katogi’s performances have enchanted audiences both in Japan and around the world, receiving invitations to perform at notable events such as the G20 Summit 2019 (Karuizawa) Reception and the Christian Dior Haute Couture Fashion Show.
Dedicated to the idea that “Stage productions are the places of ritual and celebration for our times,” Katogi continues to evoke a warm reminiscence of hometown roots, prayers for happiness, and heartfelt hope in his theatre productions.
Domestic Performances
‘20&/’21 Tatekawa Shinosuke Solo Yose Gest performance
‘19 G20 Summit (Karuizawa) reception dinner
Tatekawa Shinosuke “rakugo in nippon” guest performance
usato japan renewal celebration
‘05 World EXPO in Aichi, Japan
International Performances
'19 Singapore, Hibikiya 10th Anniversary Concert
'18 Barcelona/Valencia, Spain
'17 Canada
'16 Seattle, USA
'15 Vietnam
'13 Brazil
'12 Serbia, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Slovenia, Albania, Kosovo
'11 Serbia, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Albania, Kosovo
'10 Slovenia, Serbia, Montenegro
'09 Seoul, Korea, The National Folk Museum of Korea
'08 NY/LA, USA
'06 London, UK, The Whitehall Theater/ Florence, Italy, The Pitti Palace
'02 Paris, France, Christian Dior COUTURE Spring/Summer Collection
Groups
Wariki (和力)・Website
Katogi founded “Wariki”, a contemporary folk performance unit in 2001. In collaboration with fellow master musicians Shunsuke Kimura (Shinobue, Shamisen) and Etsuro Ono (Tsugaru Shamisen), Wariki strives not to preserve but to evolve and invigorate the art of Japanese cultural performance.
While rooted in the musical traditions of Japanese folk music, Wariki is a Truly rare collaboration that succeeds in creating a new expression with integrity to quality and authenticity.
Kanau (花綯)・Instagram
“Kanau” is a folk performance ensemble formed by Katogi in 2019. Based in southern Nagano, the 7-member group performs mainly in local festivals, events, and schools.
Other Work
Instruction
Katogi offers dance and Taiko instruction to community as well as professional groups both in and outside of Japan.
Choreography/direction/script writing
Katogi also provides choreography, original script and stage direction to theater companies and Taiko groups.
matsuri/community work
Dedicated to serve and nourish the community through the cultural arts, Katogi is active in the development and operations of several local cultural events: Founding member of Achi Kuroushimai; founder of the Achi Summer Fire Festival; and Producer of “Waraiza” Hirugami-Onsen performance series.
Collaboration
Regularly collaborating with artists across genres, Katogi is eager to offer his expertise in Japanese folk arts to explore new possibilities for expression. Examples of past collaborations include:
Puppetteers
Western music bands
Designers
Contemporary dancers
Taiko groups
Children’s Theater companies
etc
Contact
For inquiries about working with Katogi, please let us know your interests by filling out the form below (Japanese or English).
We look forward to hearing from you!