Japan Opera Association: The Tale of the Castle Keep Unofficial

"Tenshu Monogatari," an opera adaptation of Kyoka Izumi’s timeless masterpiece composed by Nobutaka Mizuno, is returning to the stage for the first time in 11 years. The work depicts the forbidden love between a man and a woman living in two distinct worlds—the supernatural and the mundane—and portrays an extreme relationship that challenges the established order. This production brings together an ambitious creative team—Keiichi Nakamura as director and Ryuichiro Sonoda as conductor—to express the pinnacle of fantastical beauty from a new 21st-century perspective. Furthermore, Tamasaburo Bando will appear in the role of Momoroku, creating a spectacular showcase of Japan’s finest voice and beauty. Set against the backdrop of Himeji Castle’s main keep, the story follows the intertwining fates of Tomihime, a resident of the spirit world, and Tosho-no-suke, a young human warrior. The conflict between the two as they strive to overcome the injustices of the human world, combined with the captivating, profound music building toward the climax, will transport the audience to another realm. Please come to the venue to experience this masterpiece of Japanese opera, a unique world of beauty where fantasy literature and music fuse. A cast of highly skilled singers and the performance of the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra will deliver an unforgettable experience.