Lyricist of "Tokyo Boogie Woogie" Was Adopted Son of World Zen Master Daisetz Suzuki—Stage Play Depicting Little-Known Father-Son Conflict to be Revived for First Time in 5 Years

The play "Tokyo Boogie Woogie and Daisetz Suzuki," presented by Natori Jimusho, will be performed from August 26 (Wed) to August 30 (Sun), 2026, at Honda Theater (2-10-15 Kitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo).

Tickets are scheduled to go on sale at 11:00 AM on July 2, 2026, via Confetti (operated by Long Run Planning Co., Ltd., Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, President: Daigo Kurematsu).

On sale from 11:00 AM on July 2, 2026

Ticket Sales at Confetti

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The lyricist of "Tokyo Boogie Woogie" was the adopted son of world Zen master Daisetz Suzuki.

A son who ruined himself with alcohol and women, and was constantly ignored.

However, could he have been the "hidden driving force" behind Suzuki's efforts to spread Zen to the world?

"If we dance the boogie, the world becomes one."

Indeed, a microcosm of a world questioning diversity existed within Daisetz Suzuki's own home.

The stage play, which was well-received at its premiere in March 2021, will have its long-awaited revival at Shimokitazawa Honda Theater.

Synopsis

1938 (Showa 13), the living room of the Suzuki residence in Kyoto. On the eve of World War II, amidst the outbreak of the February 26 Incident and the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, the father participates in the World Congress of Faiths in London to preach peace, while the son, Alan, participates in the Japan-U.S. Student Conference held at Waseda University and Stanford University, speaking about Zen and Japanese culture.

Daisetz opposes the marriage of Alan to a female student he met at the student conference, leading to a conflict over the similarities between Daisetz's book "Zen and Japanese Culture" and Alan's speeches.

World War II ends, and in 1948 (Showa 23), at Engaku-ji Temple in Kamakura. It is the wedding day of Alan and popular singer Mariko Ike.

Daisetz and Alan clash over the lyrics of the hit song "Tokyo Boogie Woogie," written by Alan.

Daisetz, who thoroughly criticized Alan's call to "If we dance the boogie, the world becomes one," decides to travel to the United States to preach Zen directly to Americans.

Concept

"Tokyo Boogie Woogie" was a hit song in 1947 by Shizuko Kasagi, symbolizing post-war Japan. Its composer was Ryoichi Hattori and its lyricist was Masaru Suzuki, but it is not widely known that Masaru Suzuki was Alan, the adopted son of Buddhist scholar Daisetz Suzuki. For Daisetz, who was called a world Zen master by overcoming the East-West cultural gap, a more difficult cultural gap existed within his own home. Was the adopted son Alan, who ruined himself with alcohol and women and was constantly ignored, the hidden driving force behind Daisetz's efforts to spread Zen to the world?

Indeed, a microcosm of a world questioning diversity existed within Daisetz Suzuki's home. Daisetz's domestic troubles are also a question of diversity and can be seen as a guide to its resolution.

With Harue Tsutsumi as the scriptwriter and Takuya Ogiida, a rising director, this play, which was performed in March 2021 and received critical acclaim, will be revived.

Performance Overview

"Tokyo Boogie Woogie and Daisetz Suzuki"

Performance Dates: August 26 (Wed) - August 30 (Sun), 2026

Venue: Honda Theater (2-10-15 Kitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo)

Script: Harue Tsutsumi Director: Takuya Ogiida Cast: Teruori Washizu, Seiryo Nishiyama, Jun Arai, Mai Morio, Yuga Yoshino

Performance Schedule

26th (Wed) 19:00

27th (Thu) 14:00 (Post-performance talk available)

28th (Fri) 14:00/19:00★

29th (Sat) 14:00★

30th (Sun) 14:00

★Pre-performance orientation for visually impaired individuals available (reservations required)

*Doors open 30 minutes before curtain time.

Ticket Prices

General: ¥5,500

(All seats reserved, tax included)

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