Social Program for ICHEP2000

Opening Ceremony

The Opening Ceremony will take place before the parallel sessions on July 27, 2000 at 9:30 in the Main Hall of the Conference site. All participants are welcomed to attend the ceremony.

Social Programs

The following two social events are arranged for all the participants and accompanying persons free of charge.

(1) " Bunraku - The traditional Japanese puppet play ". July 27 19:00-20:30

An Introduction to " Bunraku - The traditional Japanese puppet play ". With hundreds of years of history, ' Bunraku ' has reached a high level of sophistication. It takes three puppet players to handle each puppet! ( You can see a Bunraku-puppet on the poster of ICHEP2000. ) The art of Bunraku will make you believe the puppets are alive, dominating the stage, and you will be drawn into the world of Bunraku-puppets. In this evening, an introduction to Bunraku plays will be presented especially for you.

 <NOTE> See the real Bunraku at the dedicated national theater.

This program is not a play, it is a chance to learn more about 'Bunraku'. Please try he real Bunraku play at the theater which is only 20 minutes walk from the conference site.
The full performance of Bunraku plays are presented on July 28 and July 30 at 'The National Bunraku Theater' with group discount tickets for the participants of ICHEP2000 and their accompanying persons. The detailed description about Bunraku and Programs at the Theater can be found below.
The persons who want to purchase the discount tickets are requested to apply via the web by June 10. Note that the deadline is earlier than other applications.
 
 

(2) "An evening of Japanese music". July 29  19:00-20:30

Hiroyuki KOINUMA, , Yumiko KANEKO and Mikio TSUJI will play Japanese music. KOINUMA and KANEKO are prominent Japanese flute( "Shinobue" and "Nokan" ) players and TSUJI is a prominent guitarist who plays a guitar with 11 strings. These three musicians often play together. Japanese music is somewhat different from Western music. The deviation from exact pitch and exact tempo is the main technique for its sophisticated expression. You will find the music very charming.

.

Excursions: July 30

Four bus tours are planned by JTB as one day excursion.  All prices include Lunch (except Tour 4 ) and Admissions. Note that a tour may be canceled if the number of participants is not sufficient.

Please reserve your excursion tour via the JTB web site by yourself.

Fax form

If you cannot access to WWW, you may use this form. Fill in the form and fax it to JTB. Please visit JTB web page

(1)One-day excursion in OSAKA ( 9:00 - 16:00)

Fee:    7,500 JPY.

Visiting places:

    KAIYU-KAN, Osaka Aquarium :

One of the largest aquariums in the world with some 35,000 sea animals covering 580 species

    OSAKA CASTLE :

Famous for its magnificence and the immense stone walls. The castle is loved as a symbol of Osaka

(2) One day excursion to KYOTO ( 9:00-17:30 )

     Kyoto is the second oldest Capital City of Japan (794 - 1869).
 

Fee:    7,500 JPY.

Visiting places:

    KINKAKU-JI TEMPLE (GOLDEN PAVILION):

Very famous for its celebrated Golden Pavilion.

    NIJO CASTLE:

          Built in 1603 by the Tokugawa Shogun (The World Heritage)

    KIYOMIZU TEMPLE

          Famous for its sweeping view of Kyoto from the terrace (The World Heritage).

    HEIAN SHRINE:

Famous Japanese Shinto Shrine dedicated to the Emperor who founded Kyoto as the second Capital City of Japan.

(3) One day excursion to NARA ( 9:00-17:00)

Historical Tour Road of Nara is one of The World Heritage.  Nara has the ancient route of Asuka and Ikaruga, the main routes of the Nara era consisting of Heijokyo, the route of Self-Discipline and Secluded Regions, and the old path route which is full of historic adventures.

Fee:    8,000 JPY.

Visiting places:

    HORYU-JI TEMPLE

Its main hall and the five storied pagoda are said to be the oldest wooden structures in the world. (The World Heritage)

    TODAI-JI TEMPLE

The Great Buddha's Image (15 m high bronze statue) is seen in the largest wooden hall in the world. (The World Heritage).

    KASUGA SHRINE

The most famous and beautiful Shinto Shrine in Nara.

    NARA PARK (deer park)

More than 1000 deer roam freely 1200 acres of green grass.

(4)  One day excursion to the Festival " WASSHOI! 2000" ( 9:00-17:00 )

Fee:    4,000 JPY. (Admissions included, Lunch not included)

Visiting places:

    OSAKA CASTLE:

see Tour 1.

    SAKAI CITY: "WASSHOI! 2000" FESTIVAL

Enjoy the World Performing Arts Festival 2000. (3 hours)

The National Bunraku Theater: July 28 and 30

 

About the "Bunraku"

The origin of the Bunraku, the traditional Japanese puppet play, goes back several hundred years. It was born in Osaka. By the early 17th century, Joruri, the story-telling music, became popular. When Gidayu TAKEMOTO (1651-1714), a great Joruri singer, and one of the most famous playwrights, Monzaemon CHIKAMATSU (1653-1724), started a collaboration at Osaka, Joruri reached its peak of fame around 1703. CHIKAMATSU wrote 103 plays during his lifetime. Many of his scenarios found their way to Kabuki and even to modern day movies. CHIKAMASTU is called "the Japanese Shakespeare" due to his dominating influence in Japanese theatrical plays.
When puppets ("ningyo" in Japanese) are used to enhance the drama visually, it is called Ningyo-Joruri. Between 1729 and 1749, many improvements were incorporated to the puppets. Now they can open and close their eyelids and move their eyeballs. By 1736, three manipulators started to work together for each puppet to provide more sophisticated movement. Movement of eyebrows and ears followed. As the famed theater "Bunraku-ken" opened in 1804 and provided excellent Ningyo-Joruri plays, people started to call the Ningyo-Jyoruri as "Bunraku". This name is still used today. One would think that an audience would see the manipulators and not the puppets since there are many more manipulators and humans are significantly larger than the puppets. When you are taken into the magic world of Bunraku, you are amazed to realize that you do not notice the manipulators on the stage and watch the puppets as the live actors/actresses.
With hundreds of years of history 'Bunraku' has reached a high level of sophistication. It takes three puppet players to handle each puppet! ( You can see a Bunraku-puppet on the poster of ICHEP2000.) The art of Bunraku will make you believe the puppets are alive, dominating the stage, and you will be drawn into the world of Bunraku-puppets.

The Programs at The National Bunraku Theater

 See the real Bunraku at the dedicated national theater.  ICHEP participants can get a special discount on these tickets on the evening of July 28 as well as whole day on the July 30. The ticket price is 3,680 JPY for each morning, afternoon or evening performance (the price is 1,800 JPY for a child under 12).
You need to send in your request no later than June 10 via web.

Evening program on July 28 (Starts at 18:30)

'Kunikotoba Kudoki Ondo '

(This play is a tragic love story based on a real killing incident in 1737 at Sonezaki Shinchi, 1/2 km south of present Osaka Umeda station. )
 

A warrior, Hatsuemon, met and fell in love with a "yujo" (entertainer/prostitute of old days), Kikuno, while he was entertained by a merchant, Nisabro. Since then, he has been trying to get attention from Kikuno. When his retainer tries to persuade Hatsuemon to forget about Kikuno by showing a letter written by her, Hatsuemon neglects the letter although the letter made it clear that Kikuno is a mistress of Nisabro and she thinks of Hatsuemon as no-good idiot. However, when a ship passes by and Hatsuemon could hear Nisabro and Kikuno loudly bad-mouthing about him, he became very angry.
At a "chaya" (Japanese style brothel) where Kikuno works, Hatsuemon is having a farewell party with acquaintances. He gives the revealing letter back to Nisabro and Kikuno, telling them that he can forget about the whole thing and leaves the chaya. Relieved Nisabro goes upstairs to sleep, when Omisu, Nisabro's acknowledged fiancee, came to see him. Kikuno sends Omisu to the bed side of Nisabro by letting Omisu pretend to be Kikuno, to let them get back together. Kikuno stays downstairs. Hatsuemon came back to the chaya later, abuses and kills Kikuno. Then, Hatsuemon searches for Nisabro, but he has already escaped. In the course, Hatsuemon kills everyone in the chaya.

Morning programs on July 30 (starts at 11:00)    Program intended for children (and parents)

PLAY 1: 'Urikohime and Amanjaku'

Urikohime, a lovely girl was weaving alone when her parents were away to a town. An evil spirit, called Amanjaku, came to fool Urikohime.

PLAY 2: 'Tokai Dochu Hizakurige'

 This one is based on a comic story published in 1802. A couple of men were traveling together, going through all sorts of strange or funny accidents.

Afternoon programs on July 30 (starts at 14:00 )

PLAY 3: 'Kamakura Sandaiki'

 Original story was about the war in Osaka, but Tokugawa Government considered it to be an insult to the family and prohibited the performance. Hence it was changed into a story of the war that took 300 years earlier. (Just like the case for the opera "Un Ballo in Maschera" by Verdi)

PLAY 4: 'Kinuta and Daimonji'

 A story of two beautiful sisters with lovely poems and dances in the play.

Evening programs on July 30 (starts at 18:30 )

PLAY 5: 'Kunikotoba Kudoki Ondo '

See descriptions for the play on July 28.

Accompanying Persons Program

The Local Organizing Committee provides volunteer based programs for accompanying persons. *
 

(1) July 27, Thursday

(a) Welcome tea and Orientation for accompanying persons ( 9:30 - 11:00 )

(b) Lunch and A Stroll around Osaka area ( 11:30 - 16:00 )

You may enjoy a stroll along the street near the Conference site. Details will be announced at the Orientation.

(c) Introductory class for Japanese Tea Ceremony ( 13:00 - 15:30 )

15 persons / class ( 1 hour ), 2 classes will be held. 800 Yen / person. Sign up required ( see Note 2 below ).

(d) Evening program ( 19:00 - 20:30 )

"An Introduction to Bunraku" ; see Social program

(2) July 28, Friday

Special Tour to Osaka Castle ( Osaka-Jyo ) ( 14:00 - 16:40 )

A special tour to Osaka Castle is arranged for accompanying persons. The tour visits two original turrets of the Castle built in 1620 which are normally closed to the public. The tour also includes a visit to the restored Keep ( Castle Tower ) which is now a museum. A special short lecture on the history of the castle will be provided. The capacity is two groups of 50 persons each. Sign up required ( see Note 2 below ).

14:00 - 15:40 for Group-1
14:50 - 16:40 for Group-2

(3) July 29, Saturday

(a) Introductory class for Japanese Flower Arrangement ( 10:00 - 14:00 )

10 persons / class ( 1 hour ), 3 classes will be held. 800 Yen / person
Sign up required ( see Note 2 below ).

(b) Visit to Nara ( 10:30 - 16:00 ) *

You may enjoy Nara ( the oldest Capital City of Japan ) with volunteers from Nara Women's University ( NWU ). NOTE that you are expected to come to "Kintetsu Nara Station" by 10:30 by yourself.
The programs are,

• a mini concert of "Japanese Harp" and "Noh-play" by NWU students,
• lunch,
• a stroll around Nara Park ( Todaiji-Temple, Kasuga-Shrine ).

(c) Evening program

"An evening of Japanese music" ; see Social program

Note 1)

The date for "Visit to Nara" is changed from August 1 to July 29. New program "A stroll around Osaka" is added.

Note 2)

The persons who want to join the following programs are requested to apply via web in advance. The participants will be selected by lot if the number of applicants exceeds the limit.
The deadline for the application is July 1, 2000.
 

Tea Ceremony ( 30 persons )

Special Tour to Osaka Castle ( 100 persons )

Flower Arrangement ( 30 persons )

Note 3)

JTB also provides you with various social programs independently. See the JTB web site for more information. The Local Organizing Committee provides volunteer based programs for accompanying persons.

 

Banquet:    July 31, Monday (18:30 - 20:30)

A banquet will be served on July 31, 2000 at the Hotel New Otani. One ticket is included in the registration fee. Additional tickets for your family and friends can be purchased for 5,000 JPY each at the time of registration. Children under 12 are free of charge. It will be a buffet style banquet ( mostly French with wine and beer ) hoping to provide a place for you to have a good time with your old and new friends. We will prepare a few extra plates for vegetarians, but can not accommodate special kinds of foods for religious requirements. We expect that there may be a few people who need special diet or who have to avoid some kind of food due to medical reasons. In such a case, please let us know at the earliest possible time the details of your health requirement and we will do what we can.

How to get to the Hotel New Otani Osaka

Hotel New Otani is only a 3 minute walk from the subway Osaka Business Park (OBP) station. Take EXIT 1, walk straight ahead for 200m, and you will find the hotel is on your left.

1. From the Conference Site (International House, Osaka), Hotel the Live Artex, Miyako Hotel Osaka, Hotel Awina Osaka

Tanimachi 9-chome [platform 2, for Dainichi]--(Tanimachi Line)-->
Tanimachi 6-chome [platform 1, for Kyobashi, Kadoma Minami]-(Nagahori Tsurumi Ryokuchi Line)-->
Osaka Business Park, 230 Yen.
Another way is to take a taxi from Uehonmachi, which costs about 1500-2000 Yen.
2. From Holiday Inn Nankai-Osaka

Namba [platform 2, for Umeda, Shin-Osaka, Senri-Chuo] --(Tanimachi Line)-->
Shinsaibashi [platform 1, for Kyobashi, Kadoma Minami]--(Nagahori Tsurumi Ryokuchi Line)-->
Osaka Business Park, 230 Yen.
Taxi would cost about 2500 - 3000 Yen.
3. From Osaka Namba Washington Hotle Plaza

Nipponbashi --(Tanimachi Line)-->
Tanimachi 9-chome [platform 2, for Dainichi]--(Tanimachi Line)-->
Tanimachi 6-chome [platform 1, for Kyobashi, Kadoma Minami]-(Nagahori Tsurumi Ryokuchi Line)-->
Osaka Business Park, 230 Yen.
4. From Nissin Namba Inn

Daikokucho [platform 4, for Namba, Umeda, Senri-Chuo] --(Midosuji Line)-->
Shinsaibashi [platform 1, for Kyobashi, Kadoma Minami]--(Nagahori Tsurumi Ryokuchi Line)-->
Osaka Business Park, 270 Yen.
Taxi would cost about 1000 Yen.
5. From Hotel Repos Futaba

Tanimachi 4-chome [platform 1, for Morinomiya, Nagata, Ikoma] --(Chuo Line)-->
Morinomiya [platform 1, for Kadoma Minami]--(Nagahori Tsurumi Ryokuchi Line)-->
Osaka Business Park, 200 Yen.
Taxi would cost about 1000 Yen.

Public Lecture

Professor Jerome Friedman (MIT) will give a public lecture for a general audience in the afternoon of Sunday, July 30 from 14:00 at the Conference site. The title is "Are we really made of quarks?". It is open to the general public as a Nishina Memorial Lecture, arranged with the help and support of several organizations, including the Nishina Foundation, Osaka International House and of course Professor Friedman. Anyone interested is welcomed to attend.

Webcast    (28.8Kbps, 150Kbps)