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About

Our Focus at the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan

Creating a society where all kinds of people can interact through music
Workshop Workshop! Convivial Project

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The Tokyo Bunka Kaikan sets one of its goal to achieve a convivial society in which everyone can live a “100-year life” with thriving spirits. To make this happen, we keep bringing opportunities for people to share their joys and reasons for living through music and the arts.

“Conviviality” is a concept related to independent coexistence, introduced by the 20th-century philosopher Ivan ILLICH, and is at times translated into Japanese as “Kyoyu (共愉),” literally means “to enjoy together.” It refers to a state or environment where people can engage with each other autonomously and creatively, transcending boundaries such as age, gender, social status, region, ethnicity, or ability. At the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, we aim to create convivial spaces where people can share joy and a sense of purpose.

The Tokyo Bunka Kaikan launched the “Convivial Project” in 2017 with the aim of realizing a pluralistic and inclusive society through the arts. Its aim has been in providing music and art activities to be enjoyed together by all—regardless of ability, age, or social background. Our current initiatives include the following:

⁃ Relaxed Performances. This series is open and accessible to all ages and abilities.
⁃ Workshops and concerts at schools for special needs education and social welfare organizations.
⁃ Workshops using sign language and English-language.
⁃ Lectures featuring innovative case studies from Japan and abroad.
⁃ Expanding dialogue and exchange through collaboration with diverse organizations, such as local governments, universities, and non-profit organizations.

By harnessing the power of the arts and their strengths— creativity, collaboration, and participation— we aim to address social issues, enhance people’s quality of life (QOL), and foster a more inclusive society. We will continue cultivating environments where a diversity of people can engage in the creation of new artistic and cultural expressions.

Join our Convivial Project email newsletter: Convivial News (only in Japanese). Sign up from the button below!
Sign Up Here(linked to external website MAGMAG)

Guidebook to the Art Activities leading to Social Inclusion

This guidebook illustrates the subjects we need to understand on practicing those activities with a focus on the performing arts. The guidebook is mostly about discussions and lectures that we edited from our previous programs “Lectures and training for the art activities leading to social inclusion.” We also tried verbalizing the knowledge that has not been told in words, which is a practitioner’s perspective and philosophy (things focused on the most during the activities). By doing this, we set our sights on public cultural facilities to consider their way of working on art activities with a concentration on social inclusion to reevaluate and redefine such activities.

Three copies of the 'Guidebook for Art Activities Leading to Social Inclusion' with a white string-knot design on a gray cover, placed on green leaves.
Children forming a circle around drums, smiling and enjoying beating them, while someone watches over them.
A performer in a colorful costume talking and interacting with a participant lying in a wheelchair.

Tokyo Bunka Kaikan Relaxed Performance

Relaxed performance series is a program designed for the audience to enjoy without requiring total silence or darkness. We welcome everyone to enjoy music together, including first-time classical concertgoers and individuals on the autism spectrum or with developmental disabilities who may feel anxious about attending concert halls. We have accessible services for deaf or hard-of-hearing people and for individuals with visual impairments.

⁃ Assistance dogs are allowed to these performances.
⁃ The auditorium will remain partially lit throughout performances.
⁃ Audience members are free to leave and return to their seats anytime during performances as needed.
⁃ A free seating area is available for audience members who wish to move seats temporarily or may have difficulty returning to their assigned seats.
⁃ A text-to-speech program leaflet and audience guide for families and caregivers will be posted on our website 2–3 weeks prior to the performance.
⁃ A quiet, sensory friendly “Calm-down space” is available for visitors who may need a break.
⁃ Japanese Sign Language interpreters are at the reception.
⁃ Sign language navigators are on the stage.
They will guide you through the performance in Japanese Sign Language.
⁃ Wheelchair accessible seats are available.
⁃ Various accessible services are available, including visual and hearing assistive services and devices.
Some services and devices are limited in availability and require advance reservation.
* At the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, we aim to be a music hall that is accessible and enjoyable for all audiences. (View full accessibility information)
⁃ All patrons aged 4 years and above can attend this performance.

You can also enjoy the past “Tokyo Bunka Kaikan Relaxed Performance” online anytime and anywhere with the streaming video.

Three women in dresses performing at the center of the stage with an orchestra in the background.
A stage scene where women in dresses are performing music.
A composite image of four photos introducing a guidance sign for the 'Free Area' seating, a booth for borrowing and introducing viewing support tools, a pointing board/tablet guide, and a calm-down space.

Music Workshops at facilities for senior citizens and social welfare organizations

Since 2016, we have been providing music workshops in Tokyo in partnership with senior citizen facilities, social welfare organizations, and other specialized institutions, with the aim of fostering an inclusive society through the power of the arts. With the aim of fostering intergenerational exchange, we have collaborated with Councils of Social Welfare, bringing together people from ages 0 to their 80s, including those with disabilities, to connect through music. We have collaborated with NPOs supporting people with severe intellectual and physical disabilities, enabling participants to play music through their own movements and abilities. We have also partnered with senior citizen facilities, where we have performed nostalgic songs and folk songs with residents, day care participants, and individuals living with dementia. Workshops are conducted in consultation with participants, partner facilities, and organizations.

Two women playing the piano and percussion in a room with a large window overlooking greenery, while participants enjoy themselves using hand gestures.
A bright room with large windows, showing a man playing a white grand piano, a woman playing an instrument next to a whiteboard, and people watching the performance.
An event scene where audience members wearing Santa hats are raising their hands in unison with two female performers on stage.

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Tokyo Bunka Kaikan Music Workshops for Senior Citizens
* The video contains real sound works created by senior citizens at our improvisational music making workshops.

Lectures and training for the art activities leading to social inclusion

There is a growing need and increasing attention for activities that spotlight the inclusivity of arts in recent years. Such movement introduced legislation for promoting artistic activities for people with disabilities. On the other hand, we, as practitioners of “art activities leading to social inclusion,” are still trying to figure out how to handle those activities and how to deliver them with the highest quality.

The Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, therefore, launched lectures to sort out the points we need to understand on practicing “art activities leading to social inclusion” and offer professional training for musicians. Focusing on performing arts such as music and dance. Aiming to achieve a higher quality of social inclusive art activities, cutting edge artists thus provide us with expert knowledge, know-how, and various case studies and theories based on practices.

Lectures & Discussions, Forums, and more

Training, Workshops, and more

We believe that arts and cultural activities can improve people’s wellbeing and quality of life. They can realize the symbiotic society as well. From this point of view, we have also been researching and studying about the roles and effects that arts and cultural activities need to achieve. The current situation, where culture, arts, health, and wellbeing are interrelated is also what we want to grasp. These studies will help facilitate professional development and personnel assignments to actual, meaningful activities.

In the 2019 season, we commissioned Kyushu University (NAKAMURA Mia [Associate Professor, Graduate School of Design, Kyushu University]) to research and analyze the fieldwork focusing on the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan. Interviews were then conducted to the specialized organizations and practitioners of arts and cultural activities. The research led to the following results: 1) verbalization of the significance of workshops and roles of workshop leaders that have not been told from experiences 2) clarification of the importance and tasks of the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan Workshop Leader Skills Training Program.

A scene in a music studio-like setting where people holding various instruments, such as a double bass and an accordion, sit in a circle listening to the instructor's explanation.
A female instructor speaking in front of a laptop with a slide about the Piccolo Theater School in the background, while a man watches over from the side.
A scene in a bright rehearsal room where people playing saxophones and drums form a large circle with participants sitting on the floor watching them.
A scene in a rehearsal room where participants are standing in a circle.
A female instructor sitting in front of a piano, speaking to the audience with a big smile, incorporating applause and gestures.
A symposium or seminar venue scene where three adults are on stage presenting, using materials projected on a large screen.

Validation of music workshops for senior citizens

Season 2018 Validation of music workshops for senior citizens: Reporting session

The validation of the year 2018’s music workshops for senior citizens was carried out together with KUSAKA Nahoko (professor at Doshisha Women’s College of Liberal Arts), a researcher specializing in geriatric psychology. In the validation, ten workshops were held at two facilities for senior citizens within Tokyo, from December 2018 through February 2019. The validation of the following points was carried out with the aim of obtaining hints for ongoing program development, at the same time as striving to derive new knowledge:

  • 1. Communication through the activities of music workshops for senior citizens
  • 2. Program design for music workshops in which senior citizens become creative agents
Based on this validation, it is suggested that improvisational music can be a creative method to achieve the construction of personal integrity for senior citizens and the realization of pluralistic symbiotic society.

Season 2019 Validation of music workshops for senior citizens: Reporting session

In the 2019 season, we carried out a validation of programs for active seniors together with KUSAKA Nahoko (professor at Doshisha Women’s College of Liberal Arts), a researcher specializing in the psychology of the elderly, in order to examine concrete methods of program creation and the originality of “Shall we sing?” of the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan Music Workshops (aimed at those over 50).
In November 2019, “Shall we sing?” were held at facilities within the metropolis, and a survey was carried out through interviews. The validation looked at the following three areas:

  • 1. Measurement of the effects of workshops in which participants move to music
  • 2. Program creation for music workshops aimed at active seniors (e.g. the creation of a structure that attracts those who are not in the habit of participating in cultural activities)
  • 3. The social meaning of music workshops in which senior citizens play the central role.
The results of the verification made it clear that a workshop with a structured program and a concrete goal allowed participants to achieve self-realization. In particular, the structured program design raised the motivation of people, which consequently developed into a desire to participate in the next such program.

Season 2020 Validation of music workshops for senior citizens: Reporting session

In the 2020 season, we have revised the workshop “Shall we sing?” based on the evidence of the validation in 2019 to provide more fulfilling workshops. At this session, we will share the process of updating the workshop. From June to September 2020, three online revision planning meetings, the revised workshop demonstration, and a review meeting took place.
KUSAKA Nahoko, a researcher specializing in geriatric psychology, and the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan Workshop Leaders continued discussions, sorting out and revising the program designs of “Shall we sing?” This process has led them to examine how they can develop a music workshop that stimulates the elderly’s willingness to participate proactively in cultural activities. Such music workshop also encourages social participation and the creation of things that make one’s life worthwhile, which are “ikigai”, for the elderly.

In the 2022 season, we dug deeper into the program design of Tokyo Bunka Kaikan Music Workshop “Shall we sing?” which had been revised in the 2020 season. As we worked on it, we kept in mind the frailty and social isolation issues faced by older people since the situation worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. While it is necessary for older people to stay motivated for proactive social activities and participation to reduce their frailty, an environment or place where older people can feel a loose connection with others helps ease loneliness. Therefore, in addition to the on-site workshop, we combined tools such as the free communication app LINE and video streaming for participants to explore methods to let older people feel a loose connection, keeping “individual well-being” simultaneously.

Tokyo Bunka Kaikan 60th Anniversary Forum

Tokyo Bunka Kaikan 60th Anniversary Forum
“Toward more accessible cultural institutions—community, diversity, and COVID”

The global outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which began in February 2020, has affected our way of lifestyles and our values in many ways. It has forced many venues and arts organizations to suspend their activities, and it has also forced us to change our way of creating and experiencing the arts. What have we, as cultural institutions and arts organizations, learned and gained in a time of COVID?
This virtual forum explored the impact of COVID on cultural institutions and arts organizations with a focus on examples from Europe, asked why culture and the arts should be accessible to all, and why cultural institutions and arts organizations should remain more inclusive and open.

Technology with Music “Blinkin’ Beats—The World of Rhythms You Doodle with Sounds and Light”

Tokyo Bunka Kaikan Music Workshop “Blinkin’ Beats—The World of Rhythms You Doodle with Sounds and Light”

From June through September 2021, five Tokyo Bunka Kaikan Music Workshop Leaders developed a workshop program by merging technology and music, collaborating with the musical interface scientist KANEBAKO Junichi. The workshop took place in September.
Mr.Kanebako is advocating “accessible musical instruments” as a developer of installations and devices which everyone, regardless of disabilities, can enjoy together. At this workshop, we featured the installation “ratatap” created by Mr.Kanebako and his cooperators. A character, “Otodama-kun,” pops out from which vibrations of sounds are made, not requiring the users to hear the actual sounds. Through this installation, we aimed to deliver a program where the participants can share the joy of playing sounds together by watching various Otodama-kun: not only the one appearing from the sound a participant made but also the others coming out of the sound made by the other participants.
Here is a review from a participant with hearing disabilities: “Previously, I couldn’t make sense of communicating through music, but today I feel like understanding it for the first time by joining this workshop.”

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