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Workshop

Owning the Hidden: Revitalizing Unknown Japanese Family Cultures Through the Tapestry of Family Business

Ancestral Japanese arts and traditions, such as Japanese calligraphy or Kabuki performance, are becoming increasingly popular worldwide. However, there are many hidden, unknown cultural activities which have lasted many centuries, and unfortunately some might disappear shortly if not taken care of. Music instruments like Biwa, Koto Nagabue, face painting of Kabuki called Kumadori, Shironuri for the ladies with Kimono are so delicate and precious but stand still ready to be forgotten or -hopefully- recovered. But, how? Yoshihiro started his business by nicely integrating these traditions, without losing their authentic value. His goal is to make these cultures known and appreciated internationally, Interestingly, he has pivoted his entrepreneurial family-backed project as a kind of coherent ensemble encompassing many of such noble antique practices, freshly enabled by digital technologies. 

Jun Kawada
Yoshihiro Shioi
Gonzalo Jiménez-Seminario
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