FY2016

January 28, 2017
Oji Hall, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

【Facilitator-Readers】	Motoyo Yamane (announcer) Masako Shindo (announcer)
【Guest Reader】	Sadatomo Matsudaira (announcer)
【Music】	Toshiaki Iida (composer, arranger, and piano) Chiharu Tomita (cello)

We began to include readings and discussions of novels and essays, starting with the fifth event in 2017. Unlike the previous four events, the reading session was more relaxed for junior high school students and older. This event welcomed guests Motoyo Yamane and Masako Shindo, as well as former NHK announcer Sadatomo Matsudaira, who read from Semishigure, one of Shuhei Fujisawa's most famous works.

December 17, 2016
Ishikawa Prefectural Center for Women,
Kanazawa-Shi, Ishikawa

【Facilitator-Readers】	Motoyo Yamane (announcer) Masako Shindo (announcer)
【Guest Reader】	Kozue Torige (shadow puppeteer)
【Music】	Reisiu Sakai (singer) Nobuyuki Seto (clarinet) Yoshito Kumasaka (contrabass)

At the 4th event, held in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa, Kozue Torige offered a performance. She is from Ningyogekiya-san, a troupe that performs picture book readings and puppet shows in Ishikawa Prefecture. Motoyo Yamane read from Mominoki Sonomi wo Kazari Nasai (by Taro Gomi), Tomte (by Rydberg), Kumo no Ito (by Ryunosuke Akutagawa), and Gon,the little fox (by Nankichi Niimi). Masako Shindo read Ichiban Chiisai Tonakai (by Michael Foreman), The Velveteen Rabbit (by Margery W. Bianco), and Taiyo to Kawazu (by Mimei Ogawa). In addition, shadow puppets by Ningyogekiya-san and poetry readings by local children added a brightness to the venue. Reisiu Sakai and the Royal Huntings performed the picture book Yugure (by Uri Shulevitz) with chanting and music, making it a fantastic party like never before.