#Japan #Tokyo #Kabuki #Genkainada #Japanese Theater

A Multi-Language Performance of 'Genkainada'

As the year 2025 marks a significant milestone with the 60th anniversary of Japan-Korea normalization and 80 years since the end of World War II, the theater company Dramatic Writers takes a bold step by staging 'Genkainada' from December 11 to December 14, 2025, at Ueno Storehouse, located in Taito Ward, Tokyo. This performance aims to bridge cultures and foster dialogue through the lens of history, supported by Korean and English subtitles.

Synopsis of 'Genkainada'

The story unfolds in 1943, during the Japanese Empire's rule over the Korean Peninsula, specifically in Gyeongseong (present-day Seoul). Amidst the backdrop of the Pacific War, Japan is facing deficiencies, prompting the conscription of Korean youth. Here we meet So Gyeong-tae, a young man raised in Japan, who finds himself returning to Korea across the turbulent waters of the Genkai Sea. He seeks refuge in the home of his friend, Baek Seong-oh, who hails from a pro-Japanese family and begins working for a newspaper.

Gyeong-tae's world turns upside down when his Japanese girlfriend, Oi Kinko, crosses the sea to visit him. Her arrival ignites a conflict within him, caught between his feelings for her and his loyalty to his homeland. Meanwhile, police officer Lee Seung-won faces moral dilemmas as he is tasked with dismantling anti-Japanese organizations, all while being a Korean himself, who struggles with opposing personal beliefs about his current role in the Empire.

As Baek Seong-oh grapples with disdain towards his father for collaborating with the Japanese, he too embarks on a path of self-discovery amid the oppressive winds of imperialism. Each youth stands at a crossroads, forced to make choices that will shape their identities against the storm of their times.

Production Details

The multi-language performance of 'Genkainada,' featuring Korean and English subtitles, aims to create a unique theatrical experience.

Performance Schedule:

• - December 11, 2025: 14:00 & 19:00 (Night)
• - December 12, 2025: 14:00 & 19:00 (Night)
• - December 13, 2025: 13:00 & 18:00 (Night)
• - December 14, 2025: 13:00
• - Doors will open 30 minutes before the performance begins.
• - Approximate runtime: 2 hours.

Cast:

• - Kenjiro Otani
• - Yu Okada (Office 33)
• - Tatsuya Okino
• - Yu Katsunuma (Blue Ale Company)
• - Yukiko Kan (Akane Association)
• - Kankichi Kikuchi (Literary Theater)
• - Kenta Tsujimoto (Stardust 21, Neu)
• - Shinji Tokumaru (Literary Theater)
• - Satoshi Nakajima
• - Yayoi Nakaya
• - Mamiko Nishida
• - Kaori Matsuda (Repro Entertainment)
• - Shintaro Yamano (Hige Kame Tsuru)
• - Naoki Yoshimura (Young Theater)

Artists are listed in alphabetical order.

Creative Team:

• - Original Work: Kim Daseu (Novel 'Genkainada', Chikuma Shobo, 1954)
• - Playwright: Asako Ariyoshi
• - Director: EMMA
• - Korean Translation: Choi Sun-ae
• - English Translation: Yuki Ito / Yoko Kurokawa
• - Art Design: Mitsuru Sugiura
• - Lighting: Reiko Gazawa
• - Sound: Masayuki Nonaka (Hibiki Craft)
• - Costume: Maki Miyako (Young Theater)
• - Video & Subtitles Design: Raizo Uno
• - Production Assistant: Kazuko Hioki
• - Stage Manager: Norio Aoki (Hakoma Research Laboratory)
• - Creative Director: Hidemasa Matsubata (Matsubata Design Planning)
• - Dramaturg: Yi Hye-Jung
• - Production Cooperation: Yukie Hoshi
• - Production: Dramatic Writers

Ticket Information

Tickets are now on sale via Confetti, operated by Long Run Planning, with the following pricing:

• - General Admission: 5,500 yen
• - Night Performance Tickets (18:00 or 19:00): 4,800 yen
• - U30 (under 30): 3,500 yen (limited availability per performance, allocated seating)

For more details on tickets and special offers, visit the official Confetti Ticketing Site.

This upcoming performance of 'Genkainada' is not just a theatrical event; it represents a hopeful message that transcends borders, making it an essential part of the festivities commemorating these historical anniversaries.