About The Show
Za Trans-Pacific Productions’s KAIDAN returns, featuring new stories and performers, after a sold-out run in August. Kaidan(怪談) are traditional Japanese stories of ghosts (yūrei) and supernatural beings (yokai). Join us for these frightening yet melancholy stories of the unseen world that reflect the culture and history of Japan. For the October showing, KAIDAN will be restaged with additional production elements. New stories include “Yui Onna,” “Riki-Baka” and “Yanari."
These legendary Japanese stories, selected from Lafcadio Hearn's KWAIDAN, Hyaku Monogatari Kaidan (One Hundred Ghost Stories), and Kido Okamoto’s Kaidan series, are over 300 years old. KAIDAN is presented as a fusion of traditional Japanese story telling with American physical theatre.
This show includes descriptions of violence, death, and suicide. It is recommended for ages 13 and up.
Performance Information
Seattle Open Arts Place
Thursday, October 22 at 7:30
Hugo House
Due to the nature of this production, we sought the guidance of Seattle Koyasan Shingong Buddhist Temple and received the proper prayers to prevent the conjuring of spirits and to ensure the safety of the space, the performers, and the audience. The cast will also perform a private ritual before each performance.
Photo Galary
 |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |
Photos by White Moth Studios and Hiroko Nagatomo
The Stories
Mimi Nashi Hoichi ・耳なし芳一 (1782)
Nopperabo・のっぺらぼう (1767)
Yuki Onna・雪女* (1904)
Yanari・家鳴り* (1732)
Rokuro-kubi・ろくろ首 (1810)
Riki Baka・ 力ばか* (1904)
Sara Yashiki・皿屋敷 (1720)
Horai・蓬莱* （1904）
*indicates new stories
The Story Tellers
Riko Kishitani Riko is a fourth year UW drama undergraduate from Japan, and she is very excited to get to work on a project that represents her culture. Her acting credits include: The Courage to Right a Woman's Wrongs at BAT Theatre, Everybody and OMNIA Break Room at UW Drama Department, and Uncle Vanya at Yun Theatre's showcase. Always feel free to come up to her and talk about anything. She would love it!
Nene Kondo Nene is thrilled and grateful to be onstage with Za Trans-Pacific Productions in this production of KAIDAN! Over the summer, they were seen in various productions including DANCE This (Seattle Theatre Group), SFD+I Performance Cohort Showcase (Velocity Dance Center), and as Sgt. Celeste Proctor in Amplifier (Turbo Turkey Productions). Please enjoy the show!
Nick Mendoza is a movement artist and actor settling into his first year in Seattle. Originally from Iowa, Nick predominantly practices streetstyle and social dance, such as house, breakdancing, salsa, and bachata. He has acted onstage and on-camera. While Nick loves horror movies and scary stories, he has never had a paranormal experience.
Misaki Teranishi is a Japanese actor who came to Seattle two years ago. Since then, she has performed in a variety of productions throughout the Seattle area while completing her studies in Drama & Theatre Arts. Her previous shows were Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus (Redmond Academy of Theatre Arts, TYA Production), Eurydice (Penguin Productions). She is passionate about creating meaningful stories through live performance and is grateful to be part of this production.
Collaborating Artists
Hiroko Nagatomo (Sumi-e artist) is a Japanese artist based in Seattle, Washington. Born in Miyazaki, Japan, she studied painting at Musashino Art University and later expanded her practice into calligraphy and bokushō, abstract ink expression, after meeting her calligraphy mentor, Keishu Nagai, at the age of 28. Her work explores the power, movement, and subtle beauty of the line through painting, ink, three-dimensional work, and live performance. Her live sumi-e performance brings together ink, movement, music, and the spirit of the moment. neueartspace.com
Asako Tateishi (Musician 10/30 only) is a Taiko, Japanese flute, and shamisen player, and the founder of Japan Creative Arts and The School of TAIKO. Since 2009, she has been based in Seattle, delivering music programs, instructing students of all backgrounds, and producing cultural events. Her extensive performance experience includes serving as a resident International Artist at Walt Disney World’s EPCOT, as well as appearing at various major festivals across the U.S. She also studied the traditional piece “Hana Hachijo” under Chieko Kojima, an honorary member of KODO. In addition to her musical career, Asako brings a unique background from Japan as a professional motorsports sportscaster and pit reporter. Her extensive experience in event planning, production, and making split-second decisions to engage audiences in live, unscripted environments enables her to effectively deliver and deeply connect Japanese culture with communities in the U.S.
More info: www.japancreativearts.com
The Creator/Director
Mimi Katano is the Founding Artistic Director of ZTPP and is thrilled to work with this group of artists in creating KAIDAN. Her directing credits include: Seattle Opera (School Tour), Union Arts Center (Wooden O'), 5th Avenue Theatre (ETC Tour), Seattle Public Theatre, Centerstage Theatre, Live Girls! Theatre, 14/48 Projects, Boston’s Wheelock Family Theatre, and Youth Theatre Northwest. Mimi is a two-time Gregory Awards nominee for Outstanding Direction, and the production of Vietgone, which she directed in 2024, was the recipient of Outstanding Production of the Year. mimikatano.com.
Thank you sponsors and collaborators
This show is sponsored in part by The Estate of John and Ellen Hill
and in partnership with:
