Noh, a classical Japanese theatrical performance for the aristocratic. 

 Go into a "Japan" area of any major museum and you are bound to see a section of Japanese Noh masks. So beautifully sculpted and delicate looking, but eerie at the same time. The movie "The Mask" with Jim Carrie tends to come to mind whenever we see one. There's got to be some type of mystical powers in these masks…
because the way they come to life when they're worn brings people speechless.
 These elaborate masks are worn during a traditional Japanese theatrical performance.
When most people hear "Japanese performance", most people think of Kabuki.
While both having long cultural history and being a part of the Japanese arts,
there are a few big things that differentiate the two. Do you know what those characteristics are?? 
Click HERE to know more about

When?
Saturday, January 27, 2018

Where?
Kita Noh Theatre (喜多能楽堂)
http://kita-noh.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kita.nohgakudo/

Ticket Fee
Adult: 3,000yen  Students: 1,500yen

Stunning Noh Costumes (能装束)

Unlike kimonos and yukatas, 
Noh costumes are much more impressive and boldly patterned.
 

Photo taken by Hachiro Tsujii

 Noh is one of the world's oldest continually-performed types of theater and the oldest of Japan's traditional performing arts. It is performed by exclusively by men to the accompaniment of recitative chants
called yokyoku (謡曲) and an orchestra of a flute and three types of drums. 
 

GO BACKSTAGE!

JAPANKURU got an invitation to see what sort of things can be seen and done!
So we wanted to share the information with everyone while spreading the knowledge of Noh!
 

Normally only performers can walk on the stage, since the stage has a spiritual connection with god.

Since this day is an event to help spread the interest and knowledge of Noh Theatre to foreigners though,
you can walk around the red carpet! A bit of advise though! Wear white socks!!

During the Nara Period (710-794),  a form of popular entertainment named sangaku (散楽) 
was imported to Japan from China. This led to the development of sarugaku (猿楽)
(saru meaning monkey, gaku meaning music) which included pantomime, acrobatics and magic.

The developers of Noh were the playwright Kanami Kiyotsugu and his son, Zeami Motokiyo. 
The first Noh performances was when Zeami and Kanami were 12 and danced sarugaku in front of the 18-year-old shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu in 1374 in Kyoto. With Yoshimitsu's support, 
Zeami and Kanami developed Noh by incorporating elements of their performing arts, 
poetry, and classical and current topic into the dance.

From Mascaraed to Sacred Ceremony

Since it's origins are from sarugaku, which has a more free, fun performance feeling to it,
the final result of Noh became more serious and classical. A performance only done at temples, shrines, and festivals, basically for a selected group of samurai, lords, and aristocrats.  Noh changed a lot through the years, but finally settled into as we know it today in the 14th century.

Noh officials preparing for the ceremony

Sake nuptial cups “Sakazu goto” (盃事)

⓵Drink sake and make a vow to god

Similar to a Shinto style wedding, one of the most significant parts of the ceremony is drinking sake 
because it symbolizes making a pledge between the bride and groom, or in this case the Noh performer and god.
Ward off evil spirits by striking a flint behind you!

②　 Hiuchi ishi (火打石)

Hiuchi ishi (火打石), is a purification ritual that is done by striking sparks from a flint. 
According to the Ancient Book of Japan, "Kojiki," striking a flintwas used to overcome and ward off evil spirits. It is still very much believed and done to this day. 

③　Cleanse your body and soul with rice and salt

Both white rice and salt is used for ceremonies in Japan.　
Some Westerns can understand rice, since sometimes at weddings they would throw rice.

Cultural Artifacts

Stunning Noh Costumes (能装束)

There are some specific forms of costumes characteristic of Noh. 
Like wide folding trousers of some of the male characters and the highly ornamented colorful robes (called karaori) of many of the female characters. 

Noh Masks (能面)

Since the masks have a singular expression, specific masks are associated with specific characters. 
A devil-like, horned mask, for example, is worn by an actor playing Hannya, the jealous, revengeful demon who was once a beautiful woman. 

Cultural Reference in the Stage

The stage where Noh is performed is called the Nogakudo (能楽堂).
Unlike kabuki, which emphasizes grand gestures and spectacles, 
Noh gets its punch from subtlety, focusing only on the characters in the play.

The Noh stage was originally outdoors which explains the roof.
However now the structures have been moved inside. It's a complete beauty!

On the side of the center stage is a walkway. At the end of the walkways are curtains. 
It is said that behind the curtains and in the walkways represent the underworld.

The center image of the stage is a pine tree.
There are two big meanings behind the pine tree.
1. It's relevant and doesn't change in every season – summer, fall, winter, and spring.
2. The trees have a long lifespan, a symbol of longevity.
 

On the right of the stage is a small entrance.
It's an entrance for the narration and other non-performers. 
 

Everything mentioned are things you get to experience and do at the Kitano Gakudo!
 

When?
Saturday, January 27, 2018

Daily Schedule
① 12:30 ~ Experience Corner (ritual)
② 1:30pm ~ Noh Performance
③ 3:45pm ~ Backstage tour

Ticket Fee
Adult: 3,000yen  Students: 1,500yen

Inquiries
Kita Noh Theatre
03-3491-8813 (10am~6pm)
okina_ticket@kita-noh.com

Organizer: Arts Council Tokyo
For more info and tickets:
Kita Noh Theatre (喜多能楽堂)
http://kita-noh.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kita.nohgakudo/

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