Tenri University Gagaku Music Society Performs in China

On September 25, Tenri University Gagaku Music Society performed at a mid-autumn moon festival concert in Xi’an, China. The concert was held to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan. Sponsored by the public and private sectors from both countries, it was also part of the commemorative events for the upcoming “1,300th Anniversary of Nara Heijo-kyo Capital,” to be held in 2010. This is because Nara was modeled after Xi’an–once the ancient capital of China, then called Chang’an–when it was built in 710. Artists from China and Japan performed at the concert, and the Tenri University Gagaku Music Society’s performance of Taiheiraku was shown live on local television. Tenri University students later paid a visit to Xi’an Music Academy, where students from both institutions exchanged their knowledge and gave performances in their respective musical traditions.