Symphony “Kūkai,” Co-Creation Project of Expo 2025 Osaka, Staged in Japan
- Tianguzhiyin
- Jul 14
- 3 min read
By Hou Junjie, China Daily Correspondent in Tokyo — On July 9th and 11th, Symphony Kūkai, a co-creation project for Expo 2025 Osaka jointly produced by Chinese and Japanese artists, was staged in Osaka and Kagawa.
The tour was organized by Beijing Tianguzhiyin Culture and Media Co., Ltd. This marks the first large-scale collaboration between artists from China and Japan. Renowned Japanese conductor Kosuke Tsunoda led the Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra, performing alongside the China Conservatory of Music Choir, bringing to life a cultural celebration jointly created by the peoples of both nations.
At a pre-concert exchange event in Osaka, Xue Jian, Consul General of China in Osaka; Imagawa Yasunobu, Chief Administrator of Koyasan Shingon Buddhism; Hayato Watarai, representative of the Embassy of Japan in China; and Yue Yongde, representative of Beijing Tiangu Culture and Media, delivered remarks. Ahead of the Kagawa performance, Ikeda Toyohito, Governor of Kagawa Prefecture, met with the delegation from Tiangu Culture and the China Conservatory of Music Choir. He expressed his anticipation for holding the concert in the birthplace of Kūkai and his hope that the visit and performance would serve as a new opportunity to deepen ties between China and Kagawa.
At the reception following the Osaka performance, Consul General Xue emphasized:
“In the new era of China-Japan relations, the key lies in whether we can narrow the distance between our hearts… I firmly believe that outstanding works like Symphony Kūkai will, in the near future, help bring our two nations even closer together and strengthen our enduring ties.”
After the concert, Chief Administrator Imagawa noted:
“Symphony Kūkai concludes with the grand vow of Kōbō Daishi (Kūkai). The entire piece, closely tied to this vow, vividly expresses his lifelong aspiration to dedicate himself wholeheartedly for the benefit of all beings.”
At the same reception, Hayato Watarai, Cultural Attaché of the Embassy of Japan in China, read a congratulatory message from Japanese Ambassador to China Kenji Kanasugi:
“Symphony Kūkai has made an outstanding contribution to enhancing mutual understanding and exchanges between the peoples of Japan and China, and to the cause of Japan-China friendship. I sincerely hope that this symphony, created around such a pivotal historical figure in the history of Japan-China exchange, will transcend eras, languages, and borders to serve as a bridge that connects the hearts of our two peoples — and indeed, of people around the world.”
As one of the official co-creation projects of Expo 2025 Osaka, Symphony Kūkai seeks to blend diverse cultural elements through music, resonating with the human spirit. The Expo itself advocates for “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” emphasizing “Saving Lives, Empowering Lives, and Connecting Lives.” These ideals echo the compassion and altruistic vows that Kūkai — posthumously known as Kōbō Daishi, founder of Shingon Buddhism in Japan — championed over 1,200 years ago.
In 805 A.D., Kūkai traveled to the Tang dynasty capital of Chang’an (present-day Xi’an) to study esoteric Buddhism under Master Huiguo. Carrying a vow to protect and support all beings, he fostered a tradition in Japan known as “Two Traveling Together” (Dōgyō Ninin), symbolizing that Kūkai always journeys alongside the faithful. His spirit of boundless compassion and courageous dedication transcends time and space, offering light and strength to life, connecting hearts, and opening the path to peace and understanding.
Editor: Li Penghui Source: https://cn.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202507/14/WS687468aaa3106af2b3c73d93.html
