Photographs courtesy of Shingen-ko Festival Executive Planning Committee

Heroes of the Sengoku Era Revived

The Shingen-ko Festival has been held in Kōfu, the capital of Yamanashi Prefecture, every April since 1970 to commemorate the legacy of Takeda Shingen, a renowned general of the Warring States period of the 15th and 16th centuries. While this event is relatively new compared to other Japanese festivals, it has gained support from local residents and gradually expanded in size. The festival was briefly postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it returned in full swing in 2022 with high attendance by both Japanese residents and foreign tourists. Today it is recognized as a major festival and a source of local pride.

The Shingen-ko Festival: A Showcase of Local Culture

Compared with other Japanese festivals, Shingen-ko Festival is young. It was created on April 12, 1970 to commemorate the anni- versary of Takeda Shingen’s death. Initially a small-scale event, the festival has gained popularity thanks to its celebration of Kōfu’s culture, Shingen’s achievements and the legacy of the Takeda clan. While local residents and government officials are the primary organizers of the festival, Shingen-ko Festival has become a nation- ally recognized event. The festival attracts and captivates people with its grand historical reenactment of Takeda Shingen’s life and legacy.

We Are X Documentary is a Must See

Visual Kei Pioneers Go from the Center Stage to the Silver Screen

By Tokyo Journal Intern Michael Tang

We Are X is a documentary about the lives of the Japanese rock band X Japan and its leader Yoshiki. Even those who have never listened to X Japan before will leave the theater incredibly emotional and moved.

2016 OC Japan Fair

A Japanese Cultural Experience in Southern California

By Tokyo Journal Intern Michael Tang

On September 9th and 10th, 2016, the OC Japan Fair returned for another amazing festival showcasing Japanese culture in Orange County, California. This year’s event was located at the Phoenix Club of Anaheim. The OC Japan Fair featured an exhibit hall where vendors sold various Japanese related goods, from anime merchandise to traditional Japanese kimonos. There was an area for children to play kingyo-sukui, the fun and sometime stressful game of catching goldfish with a paper scooper.

Perfume kicked off their latest world tour, Cosmic Explorer, at The Wiltern in Hollywood. Perfume is one of Japan’s most popular and recognized girl groups and the energy that surrounds the group while on stage can only be matched by the level of bass that was blasting through the speakers. In the 16 years since their formation, Perfume has not lost any steam, as they dominate both Japanese and foreign electro-pop music scenes. Tokyo Journal intern Michael Tang had a chance to experience their Hollywood performance during their Cosmic Explorer World Tour.