New documentary "Dancing, Singing, Connecting" born from WOW's traditional performing arts project "BAKERU" to be screened in Sapporo

WOW Inc. (Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, CEO Yuji Takahashi, hereinafter "WOW") announced "BAKERU," an experiential installation work themed on Tohoku's traditional performing arts, in 2017. Starting the following year in 2018, they launched "BAKERU School," collaborating with Tateito Yokoto LLC, a collaborator of "BAKERU," and local performing arts groups, providing children nationwide with opportunities to enjoy and learn about traditional performing arts. In fiscal year 2025, "BAKERU School" will tour elementary schools in Hokkaido for the first time, in addition to the Tohoku region. In the Neko settlement of Ani Town, Akita Prefecture, they encountered "Neko Ban-gaku," and in Biratori Town, Hokkaido, they encountered "Biratori Ainu Ancient Dance." Ainu culture in Hokkaido is said to have had a significant influence on Tohoku's culture as well. What do the performing arts of these two different regions have in common? At the initiative of Tateito Yokoto LLC, and with the cooperation of both regions, an exchange of traditional performing arts was realized. WOW captured the thoughts and appearances of the people who continue to preserve traditional performing arts in each region, as well as their commonalities, in a documentary film.

Documentary Film "Dancing, Singing, Connecting"

Through their encounters with people who continue to preserve traditional songs and dances passed down in their regions, WOW has touched upon the meaning of cultural inheritance and the various sentiments behind it. It is believed that the movements and costumes of performing arts each contain meaning and wishes, and that people have felt a connection with gods and spirits through dance. The reason these have been passed down to the present day is because of the hearts of the people who served as intermediaries; this became an opportunity to realize anew, through the performing arts and the lives of people in two regions, the importance of those hearts. Dancing is fun. Sharing the joy of becoming one with everyone. The documentary film produced this time is not only a record of dance, but also a record of moments when people connect.

Screening Event Details for Documentary Film "Dancing, Singing, Connecting"

This work will be screened at the annual general meeting of the "General Incorporated Association Sapporo University Urespa Club," an organization centered around Ainu scholarship students at Sapporo University, on July 11 (Sat).

Date: July 11, 2026 (Sat)

Time: Doors open 13:00 (Event starts 13:00)

Part 1: 13:10 - 13:55 Documentary Film Screening (45 minutes)

Part 2: 14:00 - 14:55 Talk Event

Venue: Sapporo University PREA HALL

Address: Hokkaido Sapporo-shi Toyohira-ku Nishioka 3-jo 7-chome 3-1 (Sapporo University SUcole: 1st Floor)

Admission Fee: Free

Apply here

Production: WOW, Tateito Yokoto

Cooperation/Performance: Biratori Ainu Culture Preservation Society, Neko Ban-gaku Preservation Society

BAKERU's Journey—10 Years of Growth and Expansion

"BAKERU," WOW's experiential installation work inspired by Japanese traditional performing arts, was unveiled in 2017 at the Sendai Mediatheque in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, the company's founding location, to commemorate its 20th anniversary. Tohoku is said to be a treasure trove of traditional performing arts, and the arts and crafts passed down from ancient times embody rich worldviews unique to each region, including techniques, philosophies, and culture. For WOW, which engages in creative activities in Tohoku, "BAKERU" was born from a desire to re-examine the spirituality passed down in the region and relearn its culture in order to confront their own expression at the milestone of their 20th anniversary.

Since 2018, it has been continuously selected for the Agency for Cultural Affairs' School Touring Performance Program, and as "BAKERU School," it has toured 43 elementary schools nationwide (scheduled to reach 50 schools in fiscal year 2026). Through "BAKERU," children experience traditional performing arts from various regions, and WOW continues to foster seeds of interest and curiosity in traditional performing arts, design, and technology. They also conduct co-creation with local traditional performing arts groups and programs that families can participate in. Not only have the performing arts groups enjoyed themselves, but new people have also become interested in the arts, fostering an organic expansion from children to adults, and from performers to viewers.

In 2019, an exhibition was held at Japan House Los Angeles, operated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Through a joint performance between the Native American Lakota tribe and Tokyo Shishi-odori (deer dance), they learned that even across different countries, there are universal commonalities in performing arts and spirituality rooted in the land, and in the human activities that have supported them.

"BAKERU" has taken small steps and will soon celebrate its 10th anniversary. WOW will continue to work with performing arts groups and educators throughout Japan to pass on the rich spirituality and enjoyment of traditional performing arts to the future. Please pay attention to the future growth of BAKERU.

About BAKERU

This is an experiential installation work themed on traditional performing arts passed down in the Tohoku region since ancient times. By wearing a mask, one's appearance on the screen changes, allowing for an interactive experience in a world of visuals inspired by the ancient act of "bakeru" (transforming) and performing arts.

BAKERU

WOW Inc.

A visual design studio based in Tokyo, Sendai, and London. They engage in a wide range of design work that transcends existing media and categories, including brand concept videos that depict corporate worldviews, installations in commercial facilities and urban spaces, application design, and user interface development in collaboration with manufacturers. On the other hand, they also actively produce original art works and products, with numerous exhibitions held at museums and galleries both domestically and internationally. Starting from the sensibilities of individual creators, they pursue visual expressions that illuminate new aspects of the world and invigorate people's hearts. https://www.w0w.co.jp/

Tateito Yokoto LLC

Tateito Yokoto LLC is a cultural inheritance planning company that provides new perspectives and ways of engaging with regional culture, excavating its appeal, passing it on to the next generation, and handling everything from planning to production for the development of regional culture. They create diverse cultural plans in collaboration with bearers of local culture and those who resonate with its appeal and value, in Tohoku and across Japan. https://tateito-yokoito.com/

Neko Ban-gaku Preservation Society

A type of Kagura (Shinto ritual dance and music) passed down in the Neko settlement of Ani Town, Kitaakita City, which is also a Matagi (traditional hunter) village. Locally, it is said to have been transmitted by the defeated Taira clan or a branch of the Genji clan. The performances and movements share commonalities with the Shugen-kei (mountain ascetic) Kagura of the Tohoku region. While 12 main dances and 8 secondary dances, totaling 20, were once performed, currently 10 are passed down. A regular performance is held annually on August 14th at the Folklore Museum. It is a nationally designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.

Biratori Ainu Culture Preservation Society

Formally established as the "Biratori Ainu Culture Preservation Society" with bylaws in 1983. In 1984, it was designated a national "Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property," and in September 2009, its Ainu ancient dances were registered as a "UNESCO" Intangible Cultural Heritage. The society continues to engage in a wide range of cultural transmission activities in various fields, including clothing, food, housing, and the Ainu language. In addition to local performances, they also focus on international exchange with indigenous peoples from other countries, introducing Ainu traditional culture to the world and working to disseminate Ainu culture by learning not only the dances of Biratori but also dances from other regions.

Sapporo University Urespa Club

This is a scholarship program that provides tuition equivalent (including admission fees) to motivated Ainu youths who wish to enroll in Sapporo University. Its purpose is to provide Ainu youth, the indigenous people of Hokkaido, with opportunities for higher education and to learn about their own culture and history. The Urespa Club is attended not only by Ainu students but also by Wajin (ethnic Japanese) students and international students interested in Ainu society and culture, and they engage in learning and practical activities related to Ainu culture and the environment. Furthermore, by having Ainu students study in various seminars across different majors, the presence of the Ainu people becomes normalized within the university, enabling the formation of true partnerships as companions living together in contemporary society. https://urespa-club.com/index.html

WOW Inc.

1-14-3 Jinnan, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

CEO: Yuji Takahashi

A visual design studio based in Tokyo, Sendai, and London. They engage in a wide range of design work that transcends existing media and categories, including brand concept videos that depict corporate worldviews, installations in commercial facilities and urban spaces, application design, and user interface development in collaboration with manufacturers. On the other hand, they also actively produce original art works and products, with numerous exhibitions held at museums and galleries both domestically and internationally. Starting from the sensibilities of individual creators, they pursue visual expressions that illuminate new aspects of the world and invigorate people's hearts.

TEL: 03-5459-1100 URL: www.w0w.co.jp