Pilgrims visit Urakami Cathedral in Nagasaki and encounter an old lady who talks about the day when an atomic bomb destroyed the city. The entire city was on fire as if it had been the end of the world. Numerous citizens including many Catholics died, and a statue of Holy Mother and the cathedral were burned out. After the war, the head of the statue was found in the rubble and named “Atomic-bombed Mary.” While a choir fills the cathedral with song, the pilgrims pray for the victims. A woman appears. Is she Holy Mother or the victim’s spirit? She reminds them of the tragedy and shows the mercy of Holy Mother. She tells a story about an unknown Catholic woman who took care of injured victims on the night. She dances, praying for the victims and world peace. She disappears only leaving a single white lily.

The story of Holy Mother in Nagasaki is based on the history of Urakami, Nagasaki. The creation of the piece started as the citizens of Nagasaki asked Noh Master Shimizu Kanji to create a memorial Noh for the victims of the atomic bombing. Urakami Cathedral was built in 1914 finally after the 250 years’ of the persecution of Catholics, but it was destroyed by the atomic bombing in 1945. At the time, numerous Catholics died, and survivors worked day and night on rescue. Since its premier at the cathedral in November 2005, Holy Mother in Nagasaki has been performed 17 times including twice in the memorial service. In 2015, in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing, it was performed in a few cities including New York, where the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons was being discussed, and Nagasaki, where the Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs was being held. It was also presented in Vienna, Paris, and Warsaw in 2019. In Holy Mother in Nagasaki, local choirs are encouraged to play the role of choir, and this time Hatano Mutsumi, Mezzo-soprano singer, will take the role this time.

Two Jews encounter a Palestinian woman at Jacob’s Well. She talks about a Jewish man who offered water to a Samaritan woman at the well hundreds of years ago although Jews usually avoided contact with Samaritans. The story is based on the fourth chapter of the Gospel According to John.

Written by Diethard Leopold, a Vienna-based art curator, At Jacob’s Well calls for reconciliation and togetherness. For people with different backgrounds, cultures, and religions, mutual understanding is of the utmost importance. At Jacob’s Well gives a powerful symbol for mutual understanding and cooperation between the Jews and the Samaritan Woman and shows the invisible background of modern history. This piece was developed between Shimizu Kanji and Diethard Leopold through multi-year discussion and premiered in 2019 in Vienna. In the performance, a performer from Austria will take the role of the Ai-kyogen, and a Polish performer will play the Waki-tsure role.

Dramaturg:

Oda Sachiko

Lighting Design:

Yokohara Yu

Live streaming:

conSept

Website, flyer and poster design:

Saito Yoshiyasu & Fujii Ryohei (UMMM)

Producer:

Mukawa Yoshiki, Okuda Anna

Childcare by tixikitixiki

Partnership with Creative Theatre Network /ZA-KOENJI Public Theatre

Supported by

Suginami City
Nagasaki City
Nagasaki Shimbunsha
Nagasaki Foundation for the Promotion of Peace
Catholic Church Archdiocese of Nagasaki
Catholic Church Archdiocese of Tokyo

Produced and Presented by Public Interest Incorporated Association TESSEN-KAI