National Theatre of Japan

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The exterior of the National Theatre building recalls the ancient azekura-zukuri style of the Shōsōin.
The exterior of the National Theatre building recalls the ancient azekura-zukuri style of the Shōsōin.

The National Theatre of Japan (国立劇場 Kokuritsu Gekijō?) is a complex consisting of three halls in two buildings in Hayabusa-chō, a neighborhood in Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan. The Japan Arts Council, an Independent Administrative Institution of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, operates the National Theatre. It primarily stages performances of traditional Japanese performing arts.

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The main building has two halls. The Large Theatre hosts performances of kabuki and Buyō as well as stage plays. The Small Hall specializes in bunraku, Japanese music, smaller buyō productions, gagaku, shōmyō, and folk theatre. In a separate building, the Engei Hall stages rakugo and manzai performances.

Each year in April, the awards ceremony for the Japan Prize takes place in the National Theatre. Attendees include the Emperor and Empress, the Prime Minister, the President of the House of Councillors, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.


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