31st Annual Katari Japanese Storytelling Festival 〜 All Things Must Pass 〜
May 2 @ 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm EDT
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As Toronto spring quickly unfolds and slips away, join us to discover Japanese stories (told in English) and music that capture the beauty of impermanence!
The 31st Katari Japanese Storytelling Festival invites families, cultural explorers, and anyone curious to experience the richness of Japanese folktales, poetry, and traditional performing arts. This year’s theme, “All Things Must Pass,” reflects the transience of life, inspired by the cherry blossoms that bloom and fall quickly during Toronto’s short spring season. Enjoy a vibrant program of storytelling performed in English—no Japanese language experience required—featuring humorous and haunting folktales, evocative poetry, and live performances of traditional music. Each performance offers a unique window into Japan’s cultural heritage. Bring your family and friends, and experience the joy of Japanese storytelling in a warm, welcoming environment!
Audience: General (around 6 yrs old and above)
Admission: Free (RSVP required)
Wheelchair Accessibility: Yes
Here’s what audience said last year!
“Today’s presentation was amazing! I can’t believe I missed 29 years of this! Thank you for the presentation ｡ﾟ(ﾟ´ωﾟ)ﾟ｡” —Anonymous
“Learnt more about the life of past people in different prefectures through song and poetry. Beautiful performance all around” —Anonymous
“Discovered diverse range of storytelling and folk culture.” —John
“Beautiful performance. Talented artists.” —Thu
“Love the magic, storytelling.” —Eddy
“People in here (Canada) seem to preserve Japanese tradition, which is great!” —Anonymous
Programme:
- 「笑いの神様・わっはっは!」（山口県伝統行事）白藤青湖
A God of Laugh. Wahaha! by Seiko Shirafuji - 「へびの目玉」（岩手県民話）菊池幸工
The Eyeballs of a Snake by Koko Kikuchi - 「竹田の子守歌」（京都府民謡）秦佐千子（唄）、藤井愛子（琴）
Folk Song A Lullaby of Takeda by Sachiko Hata (vocal) and Aiko Fujii (Koto) - 「山形トリビュート〜雪が溶けるまで〜」 森俊樹
Yamagata Tribute : Until the Snow Melts by Toshiki Mori
-休憩- Intermission
*Feel free to explore JFT Library‘s physical collection with light refreshments! - 詩朗読「桜伝説」と琴演奏「さくら変奏曲」 田中裕介（詩朗読)、藤井愛子（琴）
Poem reading of The Legend of Sakura by Yusuke Tanaka with Koto Rendition of Sakura Variations by Aiko Fujii (Koto) - 「斎太郎節」（宮城県）、「黒石よされ節」（青森県）、「灘の酒造り祝い唄」（兵庫県）ドッコイ・グループによる民謡合奏
Folk music performance of Saitara Bushi, Kuroishi Yosare Bushi, Nada no sake tsukuri iwai uta by The Dokkoi group
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- 尺八と三味線：ジェリー・ミッゴールドリック
Shakuhachi and Shamisen by Gerry McGoldrick - 三味線：マーティン・ポーセン
Shamisen by Martin Posen - 唄と掛け声：白藤青湖、秦佐千子
Vocal by Seiko Shirafuji and Sachiko Hata - 締太鼓：ナルラ斗希子
Shimedaiko by Tokiko Narula
- 尺八と三味線：ジェリー・ミッゴールドリック
7. 能語り「大会」梅沢ルイ
A Noh Story “Dai-e“ (“Vanity” from Strange Light Afar) by Rui Umezawa
*The event closing time may be extended by 10-15 minutes depending on the progress of the programme.
JFT Library is open from 11:30 am to 5:30 pm to the public on Saturday, May 2. Feel free to explore our physical collection! Apply for a new JFT library card or renew your expired card here.
Storytellers
Sachiko Hata Born in Hyogo, Japan, Sachiko is an active community worker and singer at local events. She is teaching Etegami (picture card) craft, Wagi (Kyogen-based health method) and the table style tea ceremony while practicing Voice Yoga every day.
Koko Kikuchi Born in Tohoku, the northeast of Japan, Koko has been involved in Katari since its inception. He specializes in the folktales of his native region of Iwate, Northern Japan.
Toshiki Mori is a Japan-based storyteller and creator. In addition to Kamishibai storytelling, his work spans diverse fields including professional narration and video production, such as creating promotional content for local municipalities and music festivals.
Seiko Shirafuji Born in Yamaguchi Prefecture, she is a singer and folk dancer and a retired medical doctor. Seiko has been performing in community events and local festivals since 1995.
Yusuke Tanaka A veteran translator, writer, director of the Katari since 1994. He has been telling his own adaptations of Japanese folklore in many places such as New York, Seoul, Kyoto, Tokyo and Sapporo.
Rui Umezawa A Toronto writer and storyteller. His novel, The Truth About Death and Dying was shortlisted for the Commonwealth Book Prize for Best First Book. His past participation in Katari inspired his latest publication, Strange Tales Afar: Tales of the Supernatural from Old Japan.
Musicians
Aiko Fujii Started learning koto, shamisen and jiuta at an early age. She holds a koto teacher’s diploma in the Ikuta school from the Kyoto Todokai. Since 2017, she has experienced many concerts abroad, collaborative ensembles with other genres and teaching.
Gerry McGoldrick He has been involved with traditional Japanese music for over thirty years, and has played shamisen and shakuhachi in a variety of styles in Japan and Canada. He is a professor at Toronto Metropolitan University
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Tokiko Narula born Oyama, Tochigi Pref. Tokiko has been playing Taiko Drum and Shinobue with Do Kon Daiko in Burlington since 1996. In 2012 she was awarded an Ontario Art’s Council Grant for Taiko and Shinonbue for further training by Kiyoshi Nagata and Kaoru Watanabe masters of those arts.
Martin Posen He is an acoustic guitarist and composer and is currently playing and studying both Minyo and Tsugaru styles of shamisen.
Co-presented by
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