In Sanriku area, there is a large number of local performing arts traditions that have been handed down for centuries. These world-class traditions are still alive and vibrant today.

Sanriku International Arts Festival, founded in 2014, has shared the charm of local performing arts (Geinoh) both in Japan and abroad. The festival has also provided opportunities for interaction with Asian Geinoh groups and contemporary artists. Over the past four years, many tourists and artists from Japan and abroad visited Sanriku. They were surprised and captivated by the quality and richness of local performing arts.

In various coastal areas that were severely damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami, the locals have revived traditional performing arts and festivals, which has greatly contributed to the healing and regeneration of the community. There is a resurgence of interest in Geinoh and the role it plays in the local community. Geinoh has attracted a lot of attention from visitors to Sanriku. Attracted by its charm, young people are moving to Sanriku, and international artists also come to visit for short periods to study Geinoh.

But even with all the potential for Geinoh to help revitalize the region, there are challenges. We need people to carry on the traditions; we need a way to disseminate information about Geinoh, both in Japan and throughout the world; we need support for long-term visitors and international tourists. Based on these possibilities and challenges, the Sanriku International Arts Committee established a partnership with local governments to promote local arts and cultural arts activities with an international lens in the Sanriku area. The goal of the committee is to support the creative reconstruction of the Sanriku region after the Great East Japan Earthquake with new planning and development projects such as the Sanriku International Arts Festival and disseminating information in Japan and overseas.

We will develop various projects in Sanriku to increase the effectiveness over a wide area. Through these projects, we encourage repeat visitors to Sanriku and seize the opportunity to engage them in the local performing arts ecosystem to create new social and economic value. We cooperate with various regional endeavors to promote a sustainable community.

November 5, 2018 Founders of Sanriku International Arts Committee
Ichiro Nakamura
Yuichi Sakata
Norikazu Sato

Hachinohe, Hashikami, Hirono, Kuji, Fudai, Tanohata, Iwaizumi, Miyako, Yamada, Otsuchi, Kamaishi, Ofunato, Rikuzentakata, Sumita, Iwate Pref., Sanriku Railway Co., Ltd, Japan Folk Performing Arts Association, Iwate Arts Support Center, Japan Contemporary Dance Network