As part of our very first Asian Culture Festival – A Day in Japan, to be held on 23 May 2026 at the Château de Saint-Germain-Du-Plain, the Centre d’Echanges Culturels Est-Ouest is honoured to welcome an exceptional artist: Hiromi Asai.
The magic of Japanese storytelling and performance at the Château de Saint-Germain-Du-Plain
An actress, storyteller and cultural ambassador, Hiromi Asaï will be presenting two unique performances at the Festival Cultures d’Asie – A Day in Japan on Saturday 23 May 2026, inviting audiences on a journey into the heart of the Japanese imagination.
A bridge between Kobe and Brittany
Born in Kobe, Japan, Hiromi Asai has carved out a unique artistic path bridging East and West. After studying French literature, her heart led her to settle in France, first in Paris, then in Brittany. It is in this land of legends and winds that she draws deep inspiration, finding strange and poetic echoes of her native country.
This dual cultural background fuels her art on a daily basis. An accomplished actress, she has graced the stages of established theatres under the direction of renowned directors, and has lent her voice and talent to the cinema as well as to France Culture.
The art of storytelling: when gesture becomes poetry
Drawing inspiration from Japanese folktales and legends, she creates her own shows, which she takes on tour throughout France. Her approach is characterised by extreme refinement and a deep respect for the stories she brings to life.
With Hiromi, storytelling isn’t just something you listen to: it’s something you experience. It’s a sensory experience in which every hand movement and every posture enriches the narrative, offering the audience a moment suspended in time.
“Her work offers the audience a vivid experience in which the act of storytelling becomes art.” — Yuri Saito
A multidisciplinary and socially conscious artist
Hiromi Asai enjoys blending different art forms.
She regularly collaborates with calligraphers (Izumi Kohama), painters (David Cardinal, Lika Kato) and musicians to create synaesthetic worlds, particularly during haiku recitals.
The Art of Kamishibai – Traditional Paper Theatre
She is also a leading figure in the art of Kamishibai in France.
In 2024, his first exhibition dedicated to this art form in Concarneau was a resounding success. Such is his mastery that the Musée National de l’Orangerie commissioned him to create a Kamishibai performance recounting the creation of Claude Monet’s Water Lilies and his friendship with Georges Clémenceau (based on illustrations by Aya Roppongi-Vecile).
Alongside her stage work, Hiromi shares her passion through Kamishibai workshops, a wonderful educational tool that she uses both at the Maison de la Culture du Japon in Paris and with children in need or in detention centres.
On the programme for May 23, 2026, at the Asian Cultures Festival: Byôbu and Kamishibai
For our Asian Cultures Festival – A Day in Japan on Saturday 23 May 2026, Hiromi Asaï is treating us to a showcase of two facets of her talent. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to discover her in the enchanting setting of the Château de Saint-Germain-Du-Plain.
Kamishibai performance
The Adventures of Issun-bôshi, the Japanese Tom Thumb who wanted to become a great samurai
Let yourself be enchanted by this little portable wooden theatre.
Hiromi will turn the illustrated panels whilst recounting a traditional story with her characteristic energy. A magical moment for young and old alike.
The Byôbu Show
A flower is all the more beautiful for being fleeting
A more intimate and stylised narrative performance, in which Hiromi Asai uses space and symbolism to bring ancient legends to life.
Kamishibai workshops
Following her two performances, Hiromi Asai will be offering visitors an introduction to creating illustrated panels for the art of Kamishibai paper theatre.
The workshop is free of charge, but places are limited → Look out for the registration link very soon
Come and meet Hiromi Asai!
Whether you’re passionate about Japanese culture, a lover of storytelling, or simply curious to discover an artist deeply immersed in her craft, Hiromi Asai’s performances are not to be missed. Her poetry, her sensitivity and her smile are sure to captivate you.
Save the date: Saturday May 23, 2026, for the Asian Cultures Festival – A Day in Japan at the Château de Saint-Germain-Du-Plain.
👉 Join the event – Link to the Festival page on Saturday 23 May 2026
👉 Sign up for the Kamishibai workshop – Link to follow
👉 Find out more – Visit the artist’s website