欧米人にとって日本の伝統芸術や伝統文化はひじょうに興味深いもの。 日本に旅行するカナダ人の友達がいたら、あなたなら何を勧める？

　

Matt:I will be traveling to Japan next month and was curious about the arts scene over there. What can you tell me about it?

Keiko:Well, Japan and Canada have many similarities and differences when it comes to the arts.

Matt:In what way are they different?

Keiko: Japan has a rich history of traditional arts, which have survived through centuries and are an integral part of Japanese culture. We view many things as art in Japan.

Matt:Could you give me some examples, please?

Keiko:Tea ceremony, Ikebana or flower arrangement, Calligraphy, Bonsai or cultivating miniature trees, playing the traditional musical instrument such as Koto. Many martial arts such as Judo and Kendo (sword fighting), are practiced as an art. Have you heard of Geisha?

Matt:Of course, I saw that movie when it came out. Geisha are women that hang around with men and serve them drinks.

Keiko:No, that is a misconception; Geisha are highly skilled entertainers and students of many of the traditional Japanese arts and become artists themselves.

Matt:Wow, here in Canada we have such a short history as a country and most of our art forms, such as dance, theatre and music come from other countries through immigration.

Keiko:This may be the biggest similarity with modern art in both our countries. Through global influences such as mass media, changes are also evident in modern Japanese art. One good example you can see globally now, while it originated in Japan, is the contemporary dance form called butoh. This came out after the Second World War in Japan and there are forms of it practiced in many countries all over the world now.

Matt:Yes, I think there is one company in Vancouver here, but I feel overwhelmed. What do you recommend I see when I go to Japan?

Keiko:Well, Kabuki Theatre is very popular viewing among foreign tourists in Japan. I would recommend you see at least one performance.

　

A rts scene ：芸術分野
What can you tell me about it?：それについて何か教えてください
have many similarities and differences when it comes to the arts.
：芸術に関して言えば、類似点と相違点がたくさんある。
In what way are they different?：どのように違うのですか？
traditional arts , ： 伝統芸術
integral part of Japanese culture：日本文化を形成する重要な部分
hang around with：そばに居る
highly skilled ：高い技術をもった〜
global influences：世界の影響
mass media：マスコミ
I feel overwhelmed：（あまりたくさんあって）目が回りそう
What do you recommend：何がお勧めですか？