In Kokuho, the lead character Kikuo must fight to prove his worth as an outsider to the world of Kabuki. For the film’s director, Lee Sang-il, it was art imitating life, he tells View of the Arts. “In the case of Kokuho, we are talking about an art that needs to be followed by your lineage, as in you need to…
Tag: Japan
28th Far East Film Festival: “Kokuho” Review
What does it take to become the master of an art form? That’s the question at the heart of Lee Sang-il’s exquisite film Kokuho, which recounts the rise of young prodigy Kikuo Tachibana (played by Ryo Yoshizawa and Soya Kurokawa) in the world of kabuki. Kikuo, the son of a Yakuza boss, has a talent…
mikah Finds Home in Motion: Completing His “Homesick” Trilogy with “In Between” and “Dream”
Singer-songwriter mikah, through his music, shares the journey of his heart. With the final chapters of his Homesick trilogy, In Between and Dream, mikah completes a very personal story about belonging and the art of finding “home” when the map keeps changing. Born and raised in Hawaii, mikah has lived a life full of emotional…
Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival 2025
Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival (YIDFF) 2025, the largest biennial festival focusing on documentary in Asia, gathers outstanding works from 2023 to 2025 to navigate the observance from intimate family matters to the turbulence of our living world. This year, the witness of diverse ‘home(land)’ in chaos enshrines the perseverance within people, from Palestine to…
Tokyo Gears Up for MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026
The heartbeat of Japan’s music scene is set to pulse even louder in 2026 as MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN (MAJ) returns for its second edition. Organized by the Japan Culture and Entertainment Industry Promotion Association (CEIPA), the prestigious event will light up the brand-new TOYOTA ARENA TOKYO, opening its doors for the first time in October…
Hyper Japan 2025 – Yuka Iguchi Reflects on 20 Years in Anime Ahead of Hyper Japan in London – Exclusive Interview
For over two decades, Yuka Iguchi has been an important voice in the world of anime. From her iconic role as Index in A Certain Magical Index to unforgettable performances in Girls und Panzer, Encouragement of Climb, Symphogear, and Ascendance of a Bookworm, she has helped shape the emotional language of modern anime. This July,…
PSYCHIC FEVER to Host European Fan Meeting Ahead of Third Anniversary
PSYCHIC FEVER from EXILE TRIBE is a Japanese boy band formed in 2019 under LDH and part of the larger EXILE TRIBE collective. The group made their official debut in July 2022 with the EP P.C.F. Their breakout hit, Just Like Dat (feat. JP THE WAVY), brought them global recognition. Determined to make their mark…
JAPAN U-20 TEAM ROSTER OFFICIALLY REVEALED FOR “BLUE LOCK” 2ND SEASON
On November 9th, BLUE LOCK fans were thrilled as Kodansha revealed the lineup for the Japan U-20 National Team, which will challenge the BLUE LOCK XI in the BLUE LOCK anime’s second season. The Japan U-20 team, which debuted in Episode 29, includes formidable players like Oliver Aiku, Ryusei Shidou, and Sae Itoshi—the latter being…
“Bushido”: Exploring Humanity Through the Lens of a Fallen Samurai – An Insight with Director Kazuya Shiraishi
“Any movie that I make, I always think: ‘What is a human being?’” director Kazuya Shiraishi shares as he reflects on his latest project Bushido. The samurai period drama, or jidaigeki, tells the story of ronin Yanagida Kakunoshin (Tsuyoshi Kuanagi) who has fallen into poverty but has found peace in a humble living with his…
“Finding Her Beat” Review
Drums typically represent the most ancient musical tools within any society, and the Taiko has a historical presence dating back over 2,000 years in ancient Japan. Archaeological and anthropological studies suggest that during the Jomon era, people used drums as a means of communication or in religious rituals. However, the percussion instruments of that time…
VIEW OF THE ARTS 