Numerous areas in Arts and Sciences – including the East Asian Studies Center; Institute for Japanese Studies; Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures; and Center for Languages, Literatures and Cultures – collaborated this semester to bring increased authenticity and understanding to a Shadowbox Live production of Tenshu Monogatari. This production, a modern Kabuki folktale, was presented with great acclaim to Columbus audiences in October.

“The partnership with Ohio State was truly instrumental in the success of Tenshu,” said Stacie Boord, an Ohio State music alumna and community relations/education director for Shadowbox Live; she also played the lead female role in the production. “They not only elevated the profile of the production to their students and networks, but also acted as primary consultants. With their guidance we were able to create an innovative Kabuki rock musical that was celebratory of the Japanese culture while being accessible to American audiences.”

Sakamoto translated Tenshu Monogatari, the original play by Izumi Kyoka, and advised Shadowbox Live in its adaptation of the play for a musical production. Tenshu Monogatari is a story of love and honor filled with spiritual fantasy, samurai sword fighting and human torment between honor, power and love.

Sakamoto stayed in Columbus in August to help Shadowbox Live with the Tenshu production as its first international musical collaboration. With him came eight Kindai students who interned at Shadowbox Live during Sakamoto’s stay. Ohio State’s East Asian Studies Center provided cultural information to help promote understanding between these visiting Japanese students and their host families, explained Etsuyo Yuasa, associate professor and director of the center.

“A highlight to Sakamoto and the Kindai students was their visits to the Ohio State campus where they interacted with faculty and students of East Asian studies,” added Hajime Miyazaki, professor of economics and acting director, Institute for Japanese Studies. “Professor Sakamoto was a featured speaker at a general campus lecture and a guest lecturer in two Ohio State classes.”

In the lecture and demonstration, Sakamoto introduced the campus community to Tenshu Monogatari’s unique place in today’s modern and traditional theater in Japan from cultural and political perspectives. The presentation included several excerpted acts from Tenshu Monogatari played by the Kindai students. The audience also had a chance to participate by practicing choreographed movements with Sakamoto and his students.

The East Asian Studies Center promoted the Shadowbox Live show broadly throughout the university and Ohio; in turn Shadowbox Live organized an “Ohio Night” especially for Ohio State students, faculty and staff to enjoy an Oct. 14 performance.