No prior reading is required. This lecture is designed for both beginners and those already familiar with the work.
Experience The Tale of Genji Through Music — Elegant Sounds from the Heian Court to Today
SENSEI | Chie Fukuda / 福田千絵
Experience The Tale of Genji Through Music
Elegant Sounds from the Heian Court to Today
~ Discover the melodies once cherished by the aristocrats of the Heian period ~
Written by Murasaki Shikibu in the mid-Heian period, The Tale of Genji is one of the greatest masterpieces of Japanese literature. Centered around the life of Hikaru Genji, it depicts refined court life, love, beauty, and the subtle emotional world of the aristocracy. For over a thousand years, it has continued to be read as one of Japan’s most treasured literary works.
What is often overlooked is how deeply music lives within this story.
From the brilliant court dances performed by Genji and his close companion Tō no Chūjō, to the elegant scenes of young noblemen playing kemari in the garden, many of the most memorable moments in The Tale of Genji are accompanied by the sounds of Gagaku.
Gagaku is the oldest form of traditional court music in Japan, performed in the Imperial Court since ancient times and preserved remarkably close to its original form. It is one of the world’s rare living musical traditions. The very sounds that moved the hearts of Genji and the Heian nobility can still be heard today.
Lecture Overview
In this session, we will explore selected scenes from The Tale of Genji while listening to the Gagaku music that would have accompanied them.
Opening the Door to Gagaku
We begin with a gentle introduction to Gagaku itself.
You will learn about the instruments, musical forms, and structure of this ancient tradition—offering a foundation for deeper appreciation.
We will first listen to Etenraku, one of the most iconic orchestral pieces in Gagaku and a perfect introduction to its world.
Entering the Scenes of The Tale of Genji
Together, we will read selected passages from the chapters Momiji no Ga (“The Autumn Excursion”) and Hotaru (“Fireflies”).
Alongside these scenes, we will listen to the music that would have filled those moments—
Seigaiha and Tagyūraku.
As words and music begin to overlap, the atmosphere of the Heian court becomes vividly present.
Before You Join
There will be no instrument performance by participants; all music will be enjoyed through carefully selected recordings.
No prior knowledge of Japanese literature or traditional music is required.
Whether you have read The Tale of Genji or not, whether you are familiar with Gagaku or hearing it for the first time—this lecture is designed to welcome you gently into its world.
Why not allow yourself to be carried by sounds that have echoed across a thousand years?
We look forward to welcoming you.
Choose Your Experience
Gagaku, literature, and the elegant world of The Tale of Genji—
two ways to enter the deeper atmosphere of Heian culture.
Each offers a different depth of encounter.
① Group Session (Japanese)
A small-group cultural lecture conducted in Japanese.
Together, we explore selected scenes from The Tale of Genji while listening to the Gagaku music that shaped those moments—opening a quiet doorway into the refined world of the Heian court.
Rather than a formal music lesson, this is an intellectual and sensory encounter—where literature, sound, and cultural memory meet.
In an intimate setting, participants are invited to listen, reflect, and experience the beauty of classical Japanese aesthetics beyond historical knowledge alone.
This program is designed for Japan residents and conducted in Japanese only.
View Group Session in Japanese
② Private Encounter — Meet the SENSEI（English）
A fully private encounter, designed for one guest or one group at a time.
Guided by a leading master of Gagaku and classical Japanese arts, each session is thoughtfully arranged around your interests—whether court music, The Tale of Genji, Heian aesthetics, ritual, or the deeper cultural language of sound.
The experience unfolds through direct dialogue, rare access, and perspectives rarely shared in conventional lectures.
No two sessions are ever the same.
This is not a fixed program, but a living encounter shaped around you.
SENSEI
Chie Fukuda / 福田千絵
Location / 場所
wanova TOKYO
Ages / ご参加可能年齢
20-
Duration / 所要時間
①Guided Session 90min. / ②Meet the SENSEI 180min.
Max of group / 参加人数（上限）
-
Start time / 開始時刻
-
Languages / 言語
①Guided Session Japanese only / ②Meet the SENSEI English Available
Accessibility / バリアフリー
-
Price / 参加費
①Guided Session ¥2,500JPY per person / ②Meet the SENSEI $1,980USD per group
FAQ
Do I need to have read The Tale of Genji before joining?
Do I need any knowledge of Gagaku or traditional Japanese music?
Not at all. We begin with a gentle introduction to Gagaku, including its instruments, structure, and cultural background.
Will participants perform any instruments?
No. This is a listening and discussion-based session. All music will be enjoyed through carefully selected recordings.
Is the lecture conducted in English?
The group session is conducted in Japanese only. Private sessions may be arranged separately depending on availability.
How long does the lecture last?
The session begins at 4:00 PM and typically lasts around 90 to 120 minutes, depending on the discussion.
Where is the venue located?
The lecture takes place in a private cultural space within walking distance of Roppongi Station. The exact location will be shared with confirmed participants only.
What is included in the participation fee?
The fee includes the full lecture session and access to all selected music materials and reading guidance during the event.
Who is this lecture recommended for?
This lecture is ideal for those interested in Japanese literature, traditional music, Heian culture, tea culture, or anyone seeking a deeper cultural experience beyond tourism.
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