To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Treaty of Peace and Amity between Japan and United States, Gekidan Haisho proudly dedicates this historical masterpiece,“John Manjiro -The Dawning of Modern Japan”. Making their U.S. debut in New York City, Gekidan Haisho will also perform in New Bedford, MA, and Honolulu, HI.

This full-length play performed by 17 actors from the Tokyo theater company, Haisho, is set in Japan upon the arrival of Commander Perry in 1853. After two hundred years of isolation, the Japanese were unprepared to know how to deal with the Americans. The one person who could help was Manjiro.

In the course of the play, the remarkable story of Manjiro, the first Japanese to live in the United States, is revealed as the government officials search for him by questioning villagers and street people who have come in contact with him.

Who’s John Manjiro?
Shipwrecked at sea at the age of 14, Manjiro was rescued by a New Bedford whaling ship and eventually brought by Capt. Whitfield to his hometown of Fairhaven, Massachusetts. He is the first Japanese who set foot on American soil. Over the next 10 years, Manjiro learned English and navigation, went on a whaling voyaged and took part in the Gold Rush. He knew that coming home to isolated Japan would not be easy.
1853 when Commodore Perry arrived in Tokyo Bay demanding the opening of Japan, the government sought the help of Manjiro for his knowledge of American ways.

Who are the performers?
Gekidan Haisho is a Tokyo-based theater company that has been nationally known since mid-70’s.
The company has focused on both historical and modern pieces and regularly provides workshops to the public. Their award winning performances include View From The Bridge by Arther Miller (Tokyo International Theatre Festival ’90) and Lorca by Kazuo Hirayama, (Ikebukuro Theatre Festival ’01). Their signature piece, John Manjiro, was initially performed in Tokyo in 1994 to celebrate the 140th anniversary of the Treaty of Peace and Amity between Japan and United States. And 10 years later, today, this beloved piece makes the U.S. debut for them.

Information of their performances in other cities

New Bedford, Massachusetts
Saturday, November 13th at 7 p.m. & Sunday, November 14th at 1 p.m.
Fairhaven High School Theater /12 Huttleston Avenue Fairhaven, MA 02719
Tickets:General $25/ Students, Members of the Whaling Museum & the Japan Society of Boston $10
Available at The Program Department of the Whaling Museum (508) 997-0046
Information: The Whaling Museum/18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, MA 02740 (508) 997-0046
www.whalingmuseum.org

Honolulu, Hawaii
Wednesday, November 17th at 7:30 p.m. & Thursday, November 18th at 7:30 p.m.
Mamiya Theatre at Saint Louis High School/ 3142 Walalae Avenue Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 739-4832
Tickets: General $15/ Students & Seniors $12
Available at Box Office of Saint Louis High School (808) 739-4832
Information: Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai’I / 2454 South Beretania Street, Honolulu
(808) 945-7633 info@jcch.com

“John Manjiro -The Dawning of Modern Japan” is financially supported by Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan, dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the Treaty of Peace and Amity between Japan and United States, and associated with Theatre Japan Productions Inc., New Bedford Whaling Museum, and Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai’i.