At 9:00 am on May 19th, 2011, the "Sino-Japanese Ancient Theater Forum and Photo Exhibition" hosted by the Asia Theater Education Center, the Department of Acting in the Faculty of Arts of Nihon University, and the Oriental Theater Research Center of the Central Academy of Drama was held in the Central Academy of Drama.
Prof. Liu Libin, vice chairman of the Asia Theatre Education Center, delivered a speech, expressing the warmest welcome to experts and scholars from Japan, Singapore and other countries all over the country. In his speech, Prof. Liu Libin pointed out that the artistic exchanges between China and Japan in classical and modern theater are very active, but the academic exchanges in the classical theater architecture are missing. Therefore, this event is undoubtedly of great significance to the cultural exchanges between China and Japan.
Prof. Matsuhara Tsuyoshi from the Departement of Arts of Nihon University also made a warm speech. Though over 70 years old, Prof. Matsuhara Tsuyoshi is still active in the research of Sinp-Japanese ancient theatre. He expressed his happiness about the meeting and hoped that scholars from all over the world could communicate and discuss with each other. The opening ceremony was hosted by Prof. Ma Guojun from the Eastern Theatre Research Centre of the Central Academy of Drama, China.
After the opening ceremony, the particiants made their speech. Prof. Matsuhara Tsuyoshi introduced the history of Kabuki in Japan and the his tory pf Japanese theatre stage. Prof. Tokunaga Takashi from Kobe University introduced the modern history of theatre after the Meiji Reform. The Director of Yamaga City Museum, Kimura Riro made a presentation about the history and revival of the famous ancient theatre -Yachiyoza in Japan. The vice -director of the Institution of the Chinese Opera of the Academy of Arts, Liu Wenhui made a detailed description of the theatre stage in Ming and Qing Dynasty. With their speech supported by plenty of photos and videos, they showed the great value of the theatre stage in the history, culture and art of China and Japan.
In the afternoon, the participants visited Zheng Yi Ci, which was adjusted to theatre stage in Qing Kangxi dynasty from a temple in Ming dynasty. With a history of more than 300 hundred years, Zheng Yi Ci is the only wooden theatre stage left intact in Beijing. It has great value to the tourism and to the research in history and culture.