When Miyagawa Kozan was born in Kyoto in 1842, his family had been making pottery for generations. After taking over the business at the age of 19, he really shook things up.

BTOKYO (AP) — "Black Box Diaries," a documentary in which Japanese journalist Shiori Ito investigates her own sexual assault case and the barriers she faced in pursuing justice, has been screened widely abroad since its 2024 festival debut and earned an Oscar nomination early this year.

A new theatrical production of “Chushingura,” a tale of heroes loved by Japanese audiences for over 300 years, opens at Meijiza theater in Tokyo today. Directed by Yukihiko Tsutsumi, the play was organized by Nippon Television Network Corp., an affiliate of The Yomiuri Shimbun Group, and so I was given the honor of writing an article featured in its pamphlet. I will also serve as emcee for post-performance talks. As several former or current superheroes in tokusatsu sci-fi action TV shows are among the cast, I think this production deserves to be seen by as many people as possible.“Chushingura,” which roughly means “treasury of loyal retainers,” is based on a true story that occurred in the early 18th century. Lord Asano Takumi no Kami, a high-ranking samurai and governor of the Ako domain in what is now Hyogo Prefecture, drew his sword and slashed at Lord Kira Kozuke no Suke, an elder and higher-ranking samurai, in Edo Castle. Asano had been unable to tolerate Kira’s repeated harassment and ridiculing. Since drawing a sword inside the castle of the Tokugawa shogunate was forbidden, Asano was forced to commit seppuku, and the Ako domain was taken over by the shogun.The domain’s retainers who lost their lord became ronin, or masterless samurai, and sought revenge against Kira. Oishi Kuranosuke, the head retainer, became their leader. They concealed their plan for revenge for one year and nine months, in order to catch the Kira side off guard. Although some of the retainers dropped out, the last 47 men broke into the Kira residence and killed him in the dead of night on Dec. 14, 1702. They then surrendered themselves to the shogunate government, and all committed seppuku in accordance with samurai rule.As a complex narrative driven by the directness of the ronin willing to sacrifice their lives to stand by their beliefs in addition to their spirit of loyalty and the-good-against-the-evil storyline, “Chushingura” has long captivated Japanese audiences. The story has been adapted into a kabuki play as well as films and TV dramas.

AKITA — Akita Senshu Museum of Art in the city of Akita is running a special exhibition called “Enjoying Art by Gazing” that focuses on five themes related to approaches to viewing artwork.

LOS ANGELES — The popular Japanese film “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba — Infinity Castle — Akaza Sairai” was nominated for best animated motion picture at the 83rd Golden Globes on Monday.

The recent production of “Wozzeck” at the New National Theatre, Tokyo (NNTT) was a powerful event, worthy to mark the centenary of the Alban Berg opera that first premiered in 1925.