The 3rd Japan International Art Festival: Kagura / KURAGE Band

Organizer: Yumeshima New Industry and Urban Creation Organization

World Cultural Resonance at Expo: KURAGE Band Special
– Connecting Folk Performing Arts through the Songs of Life and STEAM –

Venue: Pop-Up Stage South, Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan
Date: Wednesday, July 2, 2025 | 19:15–20:15
Performers:
– NAKAJIMA Sachiko (piano)
– CHOI Jecheol (janggu, Korean drum)
– Ablaye N'Diaye ROSE (djembe, sabar, talking drum – Senegal)
– KOBAYASHI Takefumi (drums)
– and others

Overview

KURAGE Band, led by Thematic Project Producer NAKAJIMA Sachiko, is known for weaving together music from Japan, Korea, Senegal, Cameroon, and beyond. The band’s core philosophy is to generate new forms of culture through the co-creation of diverse cultural and individual characteristics.

Ultimately, their music aspires to resemble a "local festival", born from collaboration not only among people across generations and backgrounds, but also with the land, sea, rivers, and forests, transcending the stage to become a shared experience rooted in everyday life.

In this performance, KURAGE Band will explore collaboration with musicians from various countries participating in the Expo. Blending bodily expression with technology, and tradition with future creativity, the event will be a multi-sensory live performance that embodies the resonance of diverse cultures.

Please come and experience it for yourself.