Visuals of the Asuka III Original Performing Arts performances "KAGUYA - Kaguya" and "MYSTERIO - Mysterio", produced by HITOHATA,INC.

Asuka III Original Performing Arts is an entertainment programme that will be performed in the Lumiere Theatre, an entertainment space on Asuka III, a newly built cruise ship by Yusen Cruises Co Ltd scheduled to go into service in 2025, It is a new type of immersive performing arts that combines dance performances with fantastic and dynamic digital art images on holographic screens and LED screens.

KAGUYA pays homage to Taketori Monogatari (The Tale of the Bamboo-Cutter), which was established in the Heian period (794-1185) and is said to be the oldest extant Japanese tale. This is an original work.

MYSTERIO - Mysterio is an original work that weaves a mysterious story with fascinating culture and dance, such as the sun, jungle, animals in primary colours and prayers to the gods, on the theme of an ancient Mexican civilisation full of mystery and romance.

Asuka III, the largest new passenger ship in the Japanese fleet, offers the highest quality of service and a new entertainment experience that embodies the concept of a "moving museum on the sea".

Asuka III Original Performing Arts

[Name] Asuka III Original Performing Arts

　　　　 KAGUYA

　　　　 MYSTERIO

[Period] Summer 2025 (Asuka III service) - onwards.

*The two performances are scheduled to be staged a total of approximately 104 times a year.

[Production staff]

General producer Takeaki Higashiyama

Director: Junya Yamada

Creative Director Takaki Nagao

Choreography MIWA

Concept Director Kazu Nakagawa

Art Director Nunoya Hayasaka

Technical director Fumiya Takeuchi

Project Manager Naoko Masugi

[Duration] Each performance is scheduled to last approximately 30 minutes.

[Contents]

Asuka III Original Performing Arts is an entertainment programme that will be performed in the Lumiere Theatre, an entertainment space on Asuka III, a newly built cruise ship by NYK Cruises, scheduled to go into service in 2025, It is a new type of immersive performing arts that combines dance performances with fantastic and dynamic digital art images on holographic screens and LED screens.

KAGUYA pays homage to Taketori Monogatari (The Tale of the Bamboo-Cutter), which was established in the Heian period (794-1185) and is said to be the oldest extant Japanese tale. This is an original work.

MYSTERIO - Mysterio is an original work that weaves a mysterious story with fascinating culture and dance, such as the sun, jungle, animals in primary colours and prayers to the gods, on the theme of an ancient Mexican civilisation full of mystery and romance.

Asuka III Overview.

Asuka III is a newly built cruise ship by Yusen Cruises Co Ltd, scheduled to enter service in 2025.

The ship's home port is Yokohama, and with a gross tonnage of 52,200, Asuka III will be the largest passenger ship in the Japanese fleet.

Asuka III will be 230.2 m long and 29.8 m wide, with a total of 385 passenger cabins and a capacity for 740 passengers.

Asuka III will offer the hospitality and quality of service that Asuka Cruises has cultivated on its Japanese vessels, while pursuing services that will enable the next generation to enjoy the freedom they seek.

Asuka III will also convey the splendour of Japanese culture throughout the cruise, and will be decorated with a variety of works of art and crafts by artists who support Japanese art and culture, connecting Japanese culture as a "moving museum at sea".

Information on Asuka III is current as of April 2024. Contents are subject to change.

Asuka III Image CG Image courtesy of Yusen Cruises Co.

Asuka III website

A-TIMES Asuka Ⅲ now. - Asuka Cruises (Round-the-world cruises, etc.)

https://asukaluxury.asukacruise.co.jp/

Asuka III Original Performing Arts Production Staff Profile

General producer Takeaki Higashiyama

Born in Tokyo in 1980, after working for NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation), he established HITOHATA,INC. in 2019 and became its representative director.

Producer and general director of projection mapping and immersive museums, involved in various digital art events in Japan and abroad, including 'Okazaki Castle Keep Projection Mapping', 'National Historic Site Saigu Site Heian Picture Scroll Projection Mapping', 'UNESCO World Heritage San Marino Historical Centre and Mount Titano Palazzo Pavlico The company has been involved in various digital art events in Japan and abroad, including 'Projection Mapping'.

In September 2023, he produced a 3D projection show as the opening of a reception for tourism to Japan, a side event of the UN General Assembly organised by the Japan Tourism Agency and co-organised by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in New York, USA, and in December 2023, he produced the projection mapping of the national treasure Matsumoto Castle Keep. In April 2024, the company produced the large-scale immersive museum project 'Ukiyo-e in Motion - MILANO' in Milan, Italy.

Direction Junya Yamada

He presented the stage production THE SAKE at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the world's largest theatre festival, which won five stars.

In recent years, he has expanded his activities to Asia, and was the general director of the mega-fashion show 'TMALL COLLECTION' by TMALL, the largest e-commerce site in China of the Alibaba Group.

In Japan, he has also worked on "Tokyo Fireworks Festival - EDOMODE", "Hatsune Miku x Kodo Special Live" and the stage "INSPIRE Yin-Yang Master" starring Takao Osawa, and is expanding his activities into large-scale entertainment in various fields such as traditional arts, music events, fireworks production, martial arts, theatre and cultural events.

Creative director Takaki Nagao

Born 1975 in Hokkaido, Japan. After working for a game company and a content production company, he established Bronson Inc. in 2011 and became its representative director.

Has produced TV commercials and other visual content for Toyota, Honda, Kirin, Suntory, Coca-Cola, NTTdocomo, Tokyo Gas, NEXCO East Japan, Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters, Yokohama F Marinos, Consadole Sapporo, NHK, Fuji TV, TV Tokyo, HTB, STV, HBC, TVH and UHB. In addition to production experience in TV commercials and other video content, he has also directed large-scale projection mapping, such as the Sapporo Snow Festival projection mapping.

Has produced video content in a variety of genres, including projection mapping, installations, motion graphics, filming of celebrities and athletes, and 3DCG.

Has produced video content in Canada, Thailand and Taiwan, and has produced numerous video content for overseas audiences.

Choreography MIWA

Choreographer, director, butoh dancer and instructor. Born in Tokyo.

Back-up dancer and music video performer for many artists, including Namie Amuro, Ayumi Hamasaki, Kumi Koda, TRF, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, Kokia. She has also choreographed concerts for Kana Nishino, Kokia and others.

In 2018, she produced and choreographed 'Bifusai', a piece based on the theme of 'Japanese festivals', and won the best piece award at Japan's top dance competition 'Legend Tokyo chapter.8'.

In 2019, she choreographed and performed at the opening ceremony of the Rugby World Cup 2019.

He is active in corporate projects, choreographing concerts and music videos for artists, serving as a judge for dance competitions in Japan and abroad, teaching dance and creating artworks, using dance to recreate and advocate Japanese culture, and to transmit the beauty of Japan to the world.

Concept director Nodoka Nakagawa

Has been working as an assistant director of HITOHATA,INC. since her university days and was an assistant producer of the large-scale immersive museum project 'Ukiyo-e in Motion: Exhibition NAGOYA', which successfully attracted over 80 000 visitors. 2024: Joined HITOHATA,INC. Project manager of "Ukiyo-e in Motion: MILANO" and "Ukiyo-e in Motion: KAGOSHIMA".

Produced luxury night-time contents at the Tokugawa Shogun family's family temple, Seidozan Taikiji, as a project adopted by the Agency for Cultural Affairs' 'Promotion of the use of attractive cultural assets in various parts of Japan'.

Concept director of Asuka III original performing arts 'KAGUYA' and 'MYSTERIO'.