The “BAKERU School” Tour for 2026 has been decided and schools are invited to apply
WOW’s original work “BAKERU” began with the “Hare to Ke Exhibition” in 2017. It has since expanded nationally and internationally with exhibitions such as “WOW Animates the World,” “BAKERU: Transforming Spirits,” and “Encountering Transformations From Around the World.” Since 2018, the project has been touring elementary schools throughout Japan as part of the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ “Comprehensive Support Program for Performing Arts (School Touring Performances)” under the name “BAKERU School.” This project has brought the “BAKERU” experience to educational settings, providing opportunities for students to experience the unique culture of each region and discover what traditions are alive in their own communities. To date, the program has been implemented at a total of 43 schools, receiving enthusiastic responses from school staff and children. This year, the tour visited Hokkaido, Akita, Iwate, and Miyagi prefectures. In addition to creating the new content Hararaki, we also facilitated exchanges between two local performing arts traditions from different regions. ▶BAKERU School HARARAKI Production Article: Volume 1 / Volume 2
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BAKERU School 2026: Now Accepting Applications from Schools
For the 2026 academic year, BAKERU School has again been selected for the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ “Comprehensive Support Program for Performing Arts” and will tour the Chugoku and Shikoku regions as well as Hyogo Prefecture for the first time. Applications are currently being accepted from schools in Tottori, Shimane, Okayama, Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, Tokushima, Kagawa, Ehime, Kochi, and Hyogo prefectures. Learning about local traditions and culture helps shape one’s identity during personal development and can serve as a foundation for engaging with others in an international society where diverse values coexist. Through a series of workshops, this program aims to cultivate children’s perspectives on tradition and their interest in creativity and technology. School staff interested in participating are kindly requested to review the official website of the Comprehensive Support Program for Performing Arts and submit their applications.
BAKERU School Classes The traveling performance classes will be conducted over one or two days, depending on the number of students. Day 1 focuses on learning about culture, while Day 2 centers on hands-on experiences using technology. Day 1: Learning about local performing arts and making “BAKERU” masks Observing a folk entertainment performance We will discuss the local characteristics and the direction of the classes in advance, and present performances by local traditional performing arts groups tailored to the school where the event will be held. Additionally, we will provide lectures on traditional performing arts. Mask-making workshop Participants will design their own masks for the “BAKERU” experience using origami and magic markers. [Day 2] Experiencing BAKERU and Learning About Technology Experiencing “BAKERU” Wearing the masks they made in the workshop, participants will experience the digital art work “BAKERU.” Introducing digital art technology The programming technology used in “BAKERU” will be introduced. Examples of how programming is used in society will also be explained in a way that is easy to understand.
Comprehensive Support Program for Performing Arts (School Touring Performances) in 2026 This project aims to create opportunities that nurture the artistic sensibilities of children who will shape the future, improve their ability to appreciate the arts, and promote the elimination of regional cultural disparities through touring performances by top-level cultural and artistic organizations at elementary and junior high schools nationwide. Application deadline: 23:59, January 21, 2026 (Wed.) Implementation period: 2026 (specific dates to be determined upon consultation) Official website: CHECK https://www.kodomogeijutsu.go.jp/r8/junkai.html
