Nippon Budokan Explained

Nippon Budokan
Nickname:Budokan
Native Name:日本武道館
Native Name Lang:ja
Location:2-3 Kitanomarukōen, Chiyoda, Tokyo 102-8321, Japan
Built:1964
Opened:October 3, 1964
Renovated:2020
Publictransit:Tokyo Metro/Toei Subway (at):
Owner:The Nippon Budokan Foundation
Construction Cost:2 billion Japanese yen
(US$5.6 million in 1964)
Architect:Mamoru Yamada
Main Contractors:Takenaka Corporation
Seating Capacity:14,471
Dimensions:Height: 42 m (140 ft)

The, often shortened to simply Budokan, is an indoor arena in Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan. It was originally built for the inaugural Olympic judo competition in the 1964 Summer Olympics. While its primary purpose is to host martial arts contests, the arena has gained additional fame as one of the world's most outstanding musical performance venues.[1] The Budokan was a popular venue for Japanese professional wrestling for a time, and it has hosted numerous other sporting events, such as the 1967 Women's Volleyball World Championship. Most recently, the arena hosted the Olympic debut of karate in the 2020 Summer Olympics, as well as the judo competition at both the 2020 Summer Olympics and the 2020 Summer Paralympics.

A number of famous acts have played at the Budokan. The Beatles were the first rock group to play there, in a series of concerts held between June 30 and July 2, 1966. ABBA ended their last tour and held their final live performance there in March 1980. Numerous acts have recorded live albums at the Budokan, including Casiopea, Joe Hisaishi, Blur, TVXQ, Bryan Adams, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Eric Clapton, Cheap Trick, Neil Young, Dream Theater, Duran Duran, Kiss, Ozzy Osbourne, Mariah Carey, Judas Priest, Paul McCartney, Asia, Ringo Starr, Journey, Deep Purple, Masayoshi Takanaka, and Michael Schenker Group.

Location

The Nippon Budokan is located in Kitanomaru Park in the center of Tokyo, two minutes' walking distance from Kudanshita Subway Station, and near the Imperial Palace and Yasukuni Shrine. The 42 m (140 ft) high octagonal structure holds 14,471 people (arena seats: 2,946, 1st floor seats: 3,199, 2nd floor seats: 7,846, standee: 480).[2] The building is modeled after Yumedono (Hall of Dreams) in Hōryū-ji in Nara.

Venue history

Martial arts

Although the Budokan also functions as a venue for big musical events, its primary purpose is for Japanese martial arts. The national championships of the different branches of major martial arts (judo, kendo, karate, aikido, etc.) are held annually at the Budokan. The Budokan has also been associated with professional wrestling's big shows, typically from All Japan Pro Wrestling and Pro Wrestling Noah. However, due to declining audiences following the death of Mitsuharu Misawa and the retirement of Kenta Kobashi, professional wrestling has ceased running regular shows in the Budokan. During Wrestle Kingdom 12, New Japan Pro-Wrestling announced that its yearly G1 Climax tournament's finals would be held at the Budokan.[3]

The Muhammad Ali vs. Antonio Inoki hybrid rules fight held at the Budokan in 1976 is seen as a forerunner to mixed martial arts. K-1, Shooto, Vale Tudo Japan and Pride Fighting Championships have all held events at the arena.

Music

The Beatles were the first rock group to perform at the Budokan in a series of five shows held between June 30 and July 2, 1966.[4] Their appearances were met with opposition from those who felt the appearance of a western pop group would defile the martial arts arena.[5]

In July 1973, Japanese television recorded the Santana performance at the Budokan.

The Budokan gained worldwide fame when American artists Cheap Trick and Bob Dylan used the arena to record their performances, Cheap Trick at Budokan (1978) and Bob Dylan at Budokan (1979). The venue is popular for recording live albums because it has good acoustics, is relatively large and Japanese audiences are known for being highly appreciative when appropriate but quiet during performances.[6] Eric Clapton described the Tokyo audience as "almost overappreciative" in interviews promoting Just One Night (1980), his own live album recorded at the Budokan.

American crossover thrash band Stormtroopers of Death released a live album titled Live at Budokan (1992), though the title was in jest and the album was recorded at famed New York City venue The Ritz.

The original Beatles concert is heavily bootlegged on audio and video;[7] the first night's concert video was officially released by Apple Records in Japan only as Beatles Concert at Budokan 1966, and excerpts are shown in The Beatles Anthology, while the second Anthology album included the first show's performances of "Rock and Roll Music" and "She's A Woman". The venue is one of the stages in video game.[8] Chatmonchy currently holds the record for the largest crowd at the Budokan.

The record for the most Budokan music concerts is held by Eikichi Yazawa, 142 times as of December 19, 2017.[9]

Artists that have released live recordings from the venue include:

1970s

1980s

1984; We Want Moore! during the Victims of the Future tour in 1984, remastered 2002 (Budokan was one of the 4 or 5 different venues where this album was recorded)

1990s

2000s

2006; video; Nippon Budokan Ai

2010s

March 14, 2010; Budokan or Die!!!! 2010.3.14
February 18, 2019; Aimyon Budokan -1995-

2020s

September 8–9, 2022; one man live “Shinkokyu” at NIPPON BUDOKAN[34]
November 11, 2022; ROLL & BOUNCE[35]
May 10, 2023; 18th Live Circuit "AKATSUKI" Live at NIPPON BUDOKAN 2023
May 20 - 21, 2023; milet LIVE at Nippon Budokan
August 30, 2023; Ado Japan Tour "Mars"
October 3, 2023; Jonathan Lee's Those Songs Through The Years World Tour

Other events

The National Memorial Service for War Dead is held with the attendance of the Prime Minister, the Emperor and the Empress annually in Budokan on August 15, the day of Japan's surrender.

As well as holding the Live Concert in appreciation of the Popular Anime series Lucky Star: Live in Budokan (Anata No Tame Dakara).

A concert was held in honor of Studio Ghibli's 25th anniversary at the Budokan, hosted by Joe Hisaishi. It included repertoire from most of the films Hisaishi composed for Hayao Miyazaki's Studio Ghibli filmography.

Diana Ross performed and taped her "Here and Now" television special in 1991 to a sold-out audience.

The Japan Record Awards took place in the arena from 1985 to 1993 where all of the artists from around the country receive these awards.

Muhammad Ali won a unanimous decision over Mac Foster in their 1972 heavyweight boxing match.

On February 13, 1975, a religious gathering was held to hear Rev. Sun Myung Moon speak.[39]

On August 27, 2011, Japan's three biggest professional wrestling promotions; All Japan Pro Wrestling, New Japan Pro-Wrestling and Pro Wrestling Noah came together to produce a charity event titled All Together at the arena. On August 10, 11 and 12, 2018 New Japan Pro-Wrestling held the final 3 days of the G1 Climax in the Budokan, which marked the first time in 15 years that New Japan has promoted an event there. New Japan once again returned to the arena for the final 3 days of the 2019 G1 Climax. New Japan also held the Best of the Super Jr. and World Tag League finals in December 2021, as well as their 49th Anniversary Show and the final two days of the upcoming G1 Climax in 2021. Joshi wrestling promotion World Wonder Ring Stardom held their All Star Dream Cinderella event on March 3, 2021. Making this the first time a joshi company to held an event in the venue in 24 years.

Professional wrestler and legend in Japan Kenta Kobashi wrestled his final match in Budokan on May 11, 2013, at an event titled Final Burning in Budokan. Kobashi is synonymous with the arena along with fellow wrestlers Toshiaki Kawada and the late Mitsuharu Misawa.

In November, the Budokan is a venue for the annual Japan Self-Defense Forces Marching Festival, a yearly tradition and the nation's military tattoo first held here in the fall of 1963. Aside from JSDF bands, foreign armed forces military bands are also invited to join the event.[40]

The state funeral of Shinzo Abe was held at the Budokan on 27 September 2022.[41] [42]

Other uses

The Nippon Budokan is the primary setting of the 1989 fighting game . Players train in various Japanese martial arts, and must then face off at the Budokan arena against computer-controlled opponents.

A fictional concert hall based on the Nippon Budokan appeared in the music video game (2007) under the name "Kaiju Megadome". The Beatles' appearance at Nippon Budokan was featured in (2009).

Another fictional hall based on the Nippon Budokan appeared in the Japanese pro-wrestling video game (2000).

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Beacham . Greg . Live at Budokan: Famed arena gets another Olympic spotlight . AP . July 23, 2021 . 5 August 2021.
  2. Web site: ja:日本武道館建物概要（アリーナ面積・座席表）. Pagetitle. Nippon Budoukan. July 4, 2014. ja.
  3. Web site: A stacked lineup of shows announced for NJPW in 2018, including a return to the legendary Budokan Hall! | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING. NJPW.
  4. Web site: Swanson. Dave. 50 Years Ago: The Beatles Headline in Japan. Ultimate Classic Rock. July 2, 2016 . November 26, 2017.
  5. News: Japan keeps Lennon's memory alive . BBC News . December 8, 2008 . April 7, 2010.
  6. Web site: History Question: Why Were So Many Live Albums Recorded at Japan's Budokan Theatre? . November 23, 2015 . www.ajournalofmusicalthings.com .
  7. Book: Unterberger, Richie . 2006 . Richie Unterberger . The Unreleased Beatles: Music & Film . Hal Leonard Corporation . 978-0-87930-892-6 . 321–322.
  8. The Beatles Rock Band: If I Needed Someone- Sight Read (100% FC Gold Stars). https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/xEhFeRguGCU. 2021-12-12 . live. September 5, 2009. YouTube. November 13, 2015.
  9. Web site: ja:矢沢永吉、今年もヨロシク武道館 止まらない最多更新１４２回へ . https://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/news/2017/07/07/kiji/20170706s00041000315000c.html . Sponichi Annex. July 7, 2017. ja.
  10. Cyndi Lauper, live in Tokyo, at Budokan - 1986 . 2020-10-05 . Rogerio Silva . 2024-06-04 . YouTube.
  11. Web site: Duran Duran Music. November 13, 2015.
  12. Web site: Duran Duran DURAN DURAN TIMELINE. Duran Duran. November 13, 2015.
  13. Web site: see 'other'. https://web.archive.org/web/20100529012604/http://www.oneokrock.com/discography/. dead. May 29, 2010.
  14. Web site: Lee Seung-gi Mesmerizes Fans in Japan's Budokan. HanCinema. November 13, 2015.
  15. Web site: MAMORU MIYANO SPECIAL LIVE 2013 ～TRAVELING!～ / 宮野真守. 宮野真守 OFFICIAL WEB SITE.
  16. Web site: LiSA、自身初の日本武道館ライブを振り返る - 「LiVE is Smile Always～今日もいい日だっ～in日本武道館」 (1) 日本武道館までの道程. June 17, 2014. マイナビニュース.
  17. Web site: [LiSA]LiVE is Smile Always～PiNK & BLACK～ in 日本武道館「いちごドーナツ」&「ちょこドーナツ」ライブ映像を4週連続で配信スタート☆]. www.sma.co.jp.
  18. Web site: MAMORU MIYANO LIVE TOUR 2015 ～AMAZING!～ / 宮野真守. 宮野真守 OFFICIAL WEB SITE.
  19. Web site: MAMORU MIYANO LIVE TOUR 2015-16 ～GENERATING!～ / 宮野真守. 宮野真守 OFFICIAL WEB SITE.
  20. News: Komatsu. Mikikazu. Tickets for "BanG Dream!" Budokan Concert in August Already Sold Out. Crunchyroll. June 28, 2017. May 26, 2020.
  21. Web site: 2019年1月1日、日本武道館でのライブが決定！. 制作者. 内田真礼オフィシャルサイト. ja-JP. 2018-11-02.
  22. News: 内田真礼 Official STAFF on Twitter. Twitter. 2018-11-24. en.
  23. Web site: キャストライブ『あんさんぶるスターズ！Starry Stage 2nd 〜in 日本武道館〜』. スタステ2nd特設サイト. ja. 2019-02-25.
  24. News: 武道館初単独ライブ！「BanG Dream! 7th☆LIVE」DAY1:Roselia 「Hitze」ライブレポート. Inside Games. March 26, 2019. May 28, 2020. ja. Budokan first solo live! "BanG Dream! 7th ☆ LIVE" DAY1: Roselia "Hitze" Live Report.
  25. News: 日本武道館をRASの色で染め上げた「BanG Dream! 7th☆LIVE」DAY2をレポート. Gamer. February 24, 2019. May 28, 2020. ja. Report on DAY2 of "BanG Dream! 7th ☆ LIVE", which dyed Nippon Budokan with RAS color.
  26. 『バンドリ！』日本武道館の『BanG Dream! 7th☆LIVE』のDAY3では"Poppin'Party"が登場. Famitsu. February 25, 2019. May 26, 2020. ja. "BanG Dream! "Poppin'Party" appeared in DAY3 of "BanG Dream! 7th ☆ LIVE" at Nippon Budokan.
  27. Web site: Inori Minase LIVE TOUR 2019 Catch the Rainbow！特設ページ. www.inoriminase.com. 2019-05-29.
  28. Web site: 初の武道館公演開催決定!! - NEWS . 2023-01-15 . ポルカドットスティングレイ.
  29. Web site: [10 BABYMETAL BUDOKAN SPECIAL WEBSITE]2021年、METAL RESISTANCE 最終章 日本武道館 10公演開催決定！！]. 2021-11-06. BABYMETAL. ja.
  30. Web site: 12月4日(土)・5日(日)日本武道館にて初の有観客ライブ『NICE TO MEET YOU』2Days開催決定！FCチケット先行受付スタート。 . Yoasobi Official Website . Sony Music Entertainment Japan . October 1, 2021 . ja . October 1, 2021.
  31. Web site: 【ライブレポート】和楽器バンドの全てを堪能する＜大新年会＞ . BARKS . 2022-01-13 . 2022-02-27.
  32. Web site: ももクロ「祝典」ツアー日本武道館公演のライブ映像を明日プレミア公開 . 音楽ナタリー. 2022-10-18 . 2022-11-19.
  33. Web site: オンユ 日本で初となるソロツアー「ONEW Japan 1st Concert Tour 2022 ～Life goes on～」の開催が決定！ . 2022-11-19 . SHINee OFFICIAL WEBSITE . ja.
  34. Web site: Vaundy to perform at Nippon Budokan for the first time this September .
  35. Web site: WOWOWプラス「生中継！SIRUP『Roll & Bounce』LIVE at NIPPON BUDOKAN」放送記念｜SIRUPインタビュー - 音楽ナタリー 特集・インタビュー .
  36. Web site: ヨルシカ LIVE 2023「前世」 . 2023-01-24 . ヨルシカ OFFICIAL SITE . ja.
  37. 美波. 373STAFF. 1733081404203049163. 美波「JOYINT in Nippon Budokan」2024年3月30日 (土)日本武道館. Japanese.
  38. Web site: 【ライヴ・レポート】FRUITS ZIPPER、日本武道館で360°にNEW KAWAIIを届ける─〈FRUITS ZIPPER 2nd ANNIVERSARY 超めでたいライブ~NEW KAWAII~〉 . 2024-08-10 . ototoy.jp . ja.
  39. http://www.tparents.org/UTS/DoH2/DOH2-13.pdf
  40. Web site: DVIDS - News - III MEF Band impresses at Budokan. DVIDS. November 13, 2015.
  41. Web site: 20 July 2022 . 安倍元首相の「国葬」9月27日実施で最終調整 政府 . Government finalizing plan for former Prime Minister Abe's "state funeral" to be held on September 27 . live . 2022-07-20 . NHK NEWS WEB . ja. https://web.archive.org/web/20220720013249/https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20220720/k10013727231000.html. 2022-07-20.
  42. Web site: Japan to hold state funeral for ex-PM Shinzo Abe on September 27 – sources . July 20, 2022 .

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