Interview with SUZUKI Kazuhiro, Ambassador of Japan to Turkey

The website “Kagura from Japan” was launched by the Embassy of Japan as a project of the Japan Foundation to promote the traditional stage art of Japan, “Kagura,” to Turkey. The website, which went live on February 23, was visited by thousands of people from Turkey. We also had a small talk with SUZUKI Kazuhiro, Ambassador of Japan to Turkey, on this issue and Turkish-Japanese Cultural Solidarity.

– Hello, Mr. Ambassador. Can you tell us to the opening story of the website “Kagura from Japan”, which was opened by the Japanese Embassy as a project of the Japan Foundation to promote the traditional stage art of Japan, “Kagura” to Turkey?

The website “Kagura from Japan” has been prepared as a project of the Japan Promotion Foundation to introduce Japanese culture and traditional performing arts in Turkey in more detail and deepen the ties between Turkey and Japan.

Japan Promotion Foundation was planning to hold a “Hiroshima Kagura” show in various cities in Turkey in 2020, the 130th anniversary of the Ertuğrul Frigate accident, which is said to be the beginning of the historical friendship between the two countries. It is noted that Kagura, the traditional performing arts that date back to ancient times, formed the basis of traditional Japanese performing arts such as Kabuki and Noh. However, it is little known because there are not many opportunities to be watched abroad. We thought that Kagura, with such features, would be appropriate to be staged in Turkey, which has deep ties with Japan, in the particular year of commemoration for both countries. We decided to organize the show in cooperation with the Japan Promotion Foundation and the Japanese Embassy. However, the show was forced to cancel, as it became impossible for the ensemble to travel abroad due to the novel coronavirus outbreak. That’s why we decided to present “Hiroshima Kagura” online in a way that many people can enjoy. On the unique site, you can watch the documentary, which includes two performance videos with Turkish subtitles and behind-the-scenes footage that we wouldn’t usually be able to see. In addition, you can have a good time with different content on this site, which includes articles about Kagura by six young Turkish art writers selected through an open call.

It has been about a year and a half since I came to Turkey as the Japanese Ambassador, and I feel that there is a great interest in Japan and Japanese traditional culture in Turkey. “Kagura from Japan” has already been accessed more than 17,000 times, and I am glad to see the high interest in traditional Japanese performing arts in Turkey.

– With the opening of the “Kagura from Japan” website, we have seen that the Turkish people have a great interest in Japanese culture and art. Do you have any new projects for Turkish – Japanese Culture and Art Solidarity and Interaction in the future?

2024 is the 100th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Turkey and Japan. As the Ambassador of Japan, at this turning point, I would like to organize events in various fields, including culture and art, to have mutual interactions and to further strengthen the bond between the two countries. In addition to traditional performing arts such as Kagura, we want to promote Japan in all aspects with anime and manga that young people are interested in, films about today’s Japan, and contemporary art events.

In Kaman, near Ankara, the Japanese excavation team has carried out archaeological excavations for many years. The Japanese excavation team contributes to Turkey academically and contributes to regional development through the education of children and the promotion of employment, including the operation of the local museum. One of Turkey’s most beautiful Japanese gardens is next to the Archeology Institute in Kaman. The garden, which attracts many Turkish visitors throughout the year, is also crucial for promoting Japanese culture. At the Embassy of Japan, we want to continue to support such interactions on a broad basis.

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– 鈴木大使、こんにちは。在トルコ日本国大使館によって、国際交流基金の一事業として、日本の伝統舞台芸術である「神楽」をトルコへ紹介するための特別サイト「Japonya’dan Kagura」が開設されましたが、どのような背景で開設されたのでしょうか。

　「Japonya’dan Kagura」のウェブサイトは、トルコにおける日本の伝統芸能や文化に対する理解を深め、トルコと日本の絆を深めることを目的に、国際交流基金の一事業として開設されました。

　国際交流基金は、２国間の友好の歴史の始まりとされるエルトゥールル号遭難事件から１３０周年の節目にあたる２０２０年に、「ひろしま神楽」公演をトルコの都市で実施する予定でした。神楽は、歌舞伎や能などの日本の伝統舞台芸術の起源とも言われており、非常に長い歴史をもつ伝統芸能です。しかし、海外ではほとんど見る機会がなく、知られていません。そのような神楽は日本と深い縁のあるトルコにおいて両国の記念の年に公演するにふさわしいと考え、国際交流基金と日本大使館で相談し、公演を決定しました。しかし、新型コロナウイルスの感染拡大により、やむなく公演派遣を中止することとなったため、代わりにオンラインの形で、多くの方に楽しんでいただける形で「ひろしま神楽」を紹介することとなりました。特別サイトでは、トルコ語テロップ入りの２つの公演映像に加えて、普段は知ることができない団員の舞台裏の特別映像や、公募により選ばれたトルコの6名の若い芸術専門家による神楽に関する記事など、様々なコンテンツで神楽を楽しんでいただけます。

　私が日本国大使としてトルコに着任して約１年半経ちますが、トルコでは日本や日本の伝統文化に関する関心が非常に高いと感じています。「Japonya’dan Kagura」には、すでに１万７千を超えるアクセスがあり、改めてトルコにおける日本の伝統芸能に関する関心の高さを実感し、大変嬉しく思います。

-「Japonya’dan Kagura」のウェブサイトが開設され、私たちは実際に、トルコの人々が日本の文化と芸術に対して、高い関心を持っていると感じました。将来、トルコ―日本間の文化や芸術に関する連携や交流について、どのようなことをお考えでしょうか。

　２０２４年はトルコと日本が外交関係を樹立してから１００年目の節目の年です。日本大使として、この節目の年に向けて、文化や芸術を含めた様々な分野でイベントや交流を行い、両国の絆を一層強固なものへと深めていきたいと考えています。神楽のような伝統芸能はもちろんですが、若者に人気があるアニメや漫画、今の日本を知ることができる映画や現代芸術など、様々な日本をぜひトルコの皆さんへ知っていただきたいと思います。

　アンカラ近郊のカマンでは、長年日本の発掘チームにより遺跡発掘が行われています。日本の発掘チームの活動は、学術的なトルコへの貢献にとどまらず、現地の博物館の運営も含め、子供の教育や雇用促進を通じ地域振興にも役立っています。また、カマンの考古学研究所の近くにはトルコ有数の美しい日本庭園があります。１年を通して多くのトルコ人が訪れており、日本文化紹介の観点からも重要です。日本大使館は、こうした草の根レベルの交流への支援を今後も継続していきたいと思います。