8 Performances Across Japan and Europe
In spring 2026, Taro Ishida conducted his first international tour, presenting a series of performances and lectures based on Japanese cultural aesthetics and gagaku.
The tour included a total of eight performances across Japan and Europe, beginning in Tokyo and Kyoto, and continuing through Munich, Cologne, Leipzig, and Paris.
By combining concerts with lectures, the project aimed not only to present music, but also to directly communicate the underlying philosophies and aesthetics of Japanese culture.
The tour attracted approximately 2,500 attendees in total, with nearly all performances sold out.
Across all cities, there was a strong level of interest in Japanese traditional music and the cultural and philosophical context behind it.
In Cologne, a lecture initially scheduled for one hour extended to two and a half hours due to ongoing questions and discussions from the audience.
In Leipzig, attendance exceeded expectations significantly, reaching approximately 1,000 participants.
After each performance, audience engagement continued until venue closing times, with conversations and interactions reflecting a high level of enthusiasm.
Performances in Paris and Cologne sold out at an early stage, and local organizers suggested that multiple consecutive performances would have been appropriate due to demand.
Through this tour, it became clear that there is sustained international interest in this field, while the current supply remains limited.
Future plans include:
The final performance of the tour was held as an offering performance at the Grand Festival of Kasama Inari Shrine.
This event led to the formation of a new community of participants interested in gagaku, demonstrating the potential for further cultural development within Japan.
