Program
Opening Ceremony
Performance
Performers: Tetsuya Izaki / Hideaki Nasu / Shuwa no Machi Ren / Japan Deaf Taiko Club
MCs: Shizue Sazawa / Akira Morita
Speakers: Eri Makihara, and others
Duration: 90min
Presented in Japanese Sign Language and Japanese With interpretation and transcriptions in International Sign, Japanese (spoken/text), English (text)
MCs: Shizue Sazawa / Akira Morita
Speakers: Eri Makihara, and others
Duration: 90min
Presented in Japanese Sign Language and Japanese With interpretation and transcriptions in International Sign, Japanese (spoken/text), English (text)
Beginning with greetings from Executive Director Eri Makihara, followed by sign language performances by Tetsuya Izaki and Hideaki Nasu, and closing with a special Awa-Odori dance by the "Shuwa no Machi Ren" group, as well as the Japan Deaf Drum Club. See fresh perspectives through the viewpoint of people who see the world with their eyes in this opening ceremony of the Tokyo International Deaf Arts Festival.
Tetsuya Izaki
Advisor to the Japanese Theatre of the Deaf / Actor
Tetsuya was born in Saga Prefecture and graduated from Tsukuba School for the Deaf. In 1979, he studied pantomime at the Tokyo Pantomime Institute and in 1980, participated in the establishment of the "Tokyo Deaf Theatre Circle" (later renamed "Japanese Theatre of the Deaf"). After joining "The National Theatre of the Deaf", a profesional Deaf theatre company in the United States, in 1982, he returned to the Japanese Theatre of the Deaf. He worked as a lecturer for NHK Educational TV's "Minna no Shuwa" and provided sign language supervision for films "A Scene at the Sea" (1983) and drama "Heaven's Coins" (1995). He also taught sign language to Crown Princess Kiko for 10 years. Currently, he is a special advisor for the concerts of "Friends of El Sistema Japan" and also provides sign language direction for "The White Hands Chorus NIPPON".
Tetsuya was born in Saga Prefecture and graduated from Tsukuba School for the Deaf. In 1979, he studied pantomime at the Tokyo Pantomime Institute and in 1980, participated in the establishment of the "Tokyo Deaf Theatre Circle" (later renamed "Japanese Theatre of the Deaf"). After joining "The National Theatre of the Deaf", a profesional Deaf theatre company in the United States, in 1982, he returned to the Japanese Theatre of the Deaf. He worked as a lecturer for NHK Educational TV's "Minna no Shuwa" and provided sign language supervision for films "A Scene at the Sea" (1983) and drama "Heaven's Coins" (1995). He also taught sign language to Crown Princess Kiko for 10 years. Currently, he is a special advisor for the concerts of "Friends of El Sistema Japan" and also provides sign language direction for "The White Hands Chorus NIPPON".
Hideaki Nasu
Actor / NHK Sign Language News Anchor
Hideaki was born in Yamagata in March 1967. He developed an interest in film and theatre from a young age. During his university years, he performed on stage with a theatre group in Aomori and later with the Japanese Theatre of the Deaf for a total of 15 years. After leaving the Japanese Theatre of the Deaf, he focused on solo performances throughout Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom. In 1995, he was selected as an NHK Sign Language News anchor and currently appears every Thursday from 8:45-9:00 PM on NHK Educational TV's "NHK Sign Language News 845." Currently, he actively gives lectures and solo performances nationwide. In December 2023, he appeared in the NHK drama "Deaf Voice: A Sign-Language Interpreter in Court."
Hideaki was born in Yamagata in March 1967. He developed an interest in film and theatre from a young age. During his university years, he performed on stage with a theatre group in Aomori and later with the Japanese Theatre of the Deaf for a total of 15 years. After leaving the Japanese Theatre of the Deaf, he focused on solo performances throughout Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom. In 1995, he was selected as an NHK Sign Language News anchor and currently appears every Thursday from 8:45-9:00 PM on NHK Educational TV's "NHK Sign Language News 845." Currently, he actively gives lectures and solo performances nationwide. In December 2023, he appeared in the NHK drama "Deaf Voice: A Sign-Language Interpreter in Court."
Shuwa no Machi Ren
Formed for the opening ceremony of the "City of Sign Language, Tokyo International Deaf Arts Festival." For this special occasion, Deaf individuals, hard of hearing, and hearing individuals who use sign language, ranging from beginners to experienced dancers, have come together to present a unique Awa-odori performance incorporating expressions unique to those who perceive the world visually.
Photo courtesy of Tatsu no Otoshigo-Ren
Japan Deaf Drum Club
The Japan Deaf Drum Club is a Taiko group formed after performers from all over Japan gathered in an exchange meeting in Yamanashi Prefecture, and founded the following year. Since their first performance in 1994, they have held regular biannual performances and gatherings in various regions. Drumming enthusiasts from all over Japan gather with the motto, "Even if we can't hear, we can do it!", pouring their emotions into each strike of their drumsticks.
Motto: "To tomorrow we resonate—strong, upward, and with emotion! We shout, grasping drumsticks, we who can't hear!"
Motto: "To tomorrow we resonate—strong, upward, and with emotion! We shout, grasping drumsticks, we who can't hear!"
