August 11, 2026
Photo Credit/C. Douglas and Jade Fox
Kaidan: Tales of Moonlight and Rain will combine Japanese ghost stories and close-up illusions during four performances at Shofuso in Fairmount Park on Sept. 18-19.
Japanese ghost stories and close-up illusions will fill Shofuso after dark during a two-night immersive performance this September.
"Kaidan: Tales of Moonlight and Rain" will be performed Friday, Sept. 18, and Saturday, Sept. 19, with shows at 7 and 9 p.m. each night. The performances will take place inside Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center in Fairmount Park.
Led by Schreiben the Conjurer, the show combines storytelling with close-up illusions performed just inches from the audience. The stories draw from Japanese folklore and include tales of vengeful spirits, shapeshifters and other supernatural figures.
Shofuso itself will be part of the experience. Instead of taking place on a traditional stage, the performance will unfold inside the Japanese house, surrounded by tatami mats, sliding screens and traditional architecture.
The production draws inspiration from the writings of Lafcadio Hearn and Ueda Akinari, including Akinari's 1776 collection "Ugetsu Monogatari." The show was developed with cultural competency dramaturg Rob Buscher, with research used to inform its portrayal of Japanese history and folklore.
General admission costs $62, plus a $5.65 fee. VIP tickets cost $76, plus a $6.70 fee, and also include tintype photos and a Suntory tasting. Attendees should also be prepared to remove their shoes before entering Shofuso. Food and drinks are limited to designated areas.
Sept. 18-19 | 7 and 9 p.m. each night
Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center
Lansdowne Drive and Horticultural Drive
Philadelphia, PA 19131
$62 plus fees; VIP $76 plus fees
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