Akiko Wada Appointed Special Mission Support Captain for "Osaka Siege 400th Anniversary Tenka Ichi Festival" Deputy Captain Ainosuke Kataoka and Ms. Wada promoted the event in warrior attire.
On August 5, the Osaka Siege 400th Anniversary Project Executive Committee held the "Osaka Siege 400th Anniversary Tenkaichi Festival Special Mission Support Team Appointment Ceremony" at Tokyo Midtown in Minato Ward. The "Osaka Siege 400th Anniversary Tenkaichi Festival" is an event planned to mark the 400th anniversary of the Osaka Siege this year and next. It will be held throughout Osaka Prefecture, with the main venue at Osaka Castle Park in Chuo Ward, Osaka City, starting October 1st. Singer Akiko Wada, originally from Osaka City, was appointed Special Support Team Captain, while Kabuki actor Ainosuke Kataoka, originally from Sakai City, was appointed Vice Captain. Appearing in samurai attire at the inauguration ceremony, they immediately began promoting the appeal of Osaka and the festival.
At the ceremony, Executive Committee Chairman Shinya Hashizume (Special Advisor to Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City) stated, "Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, and Osaka's business community have united to establish this Executive Committee. Embracing the spirit of 'If it's amazing, fun, or delicious, it's the best in the land,' we aim to showcase Osaka's history, culture, and its vibrant present and future to the world."
Next, Wada and Kataoka from the Special Mission Support Team took the stage. Wada reflected, "As a child, Osaka Castle was nearby, so I often went to play there. It's rare to have a place right in the city center that's world-class and also a place for citizens to relax." Mr. Kataoka expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "Osaka Castle is the symbol of Osaka. I'd like to try performing kabuki with Osaka Castle as the backdrop." Surrounded by a model of Osaka Castle and with explanations from Chairman Hashizume, they discussed its charm anew.
The 400th Anniversary of the Siege of Osaka: Tenka Ichi Festival will be held in two phases: "Winter Campaign 2014" from October 1 to December 31, 2014, and "Summer Campaign 2015" scheduled for spring/summer 2015 (details to be announced once finalized). At Osaka Castle Park, the main venue for Winter Campaign 2014, various events will be held, including the amusement zone "Samurai Museum & Warlord Hall" (near Gokurakubashi Bridge) where visitors can slip back in time to the Sengoku period, the "Osaka Siege 400th Anniversary Nishinomaru Dome" (Nishinomaru Garden), "Osaka Siege AR" (Tenshukaku Observatory), and special public viewings of Osaka Castle's yagura (watchtowers).
It was also announced that as an opening pre-event for the inauguration ceremony, a large-scale outdoor music event for 10,000 people will be held on September 27 and 28 at a special venue in Osaka Castle's Nishinomaru Garden. This event will feature popular artists who love Osaka, including Kobukuro and Kumi Koda.
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