Online Event:

THE HEART OF KYOGEN 2022

-An autumn brocade brings a barrel of laughs - with Kyogen! -

Thursday, October 27, 2022
8:00 pm (EDT)

Free registration :
https://kyogen2022.eventbrite.com

Join Noh Society’s 6th online event, The Heart of Kyogen 2022.

The Okura School Kyogen performers Zenchiku Daijirō and Ōkura Noriyoshi, who stirred up a whirlwind of laughter with their in-person performances in the US in 2016, 2017, and 2019, are back!

This webinar presents the popular Kyogen “Bōshibari”, which was presented in Tokyo this summer to great acclaim. The content will be transmitted in English and Japanese using interpretation and subtitles.

There will also be an interview with the Kyogen performers exploring their daily training and how the tradition of Kyogen has been passed on. Q&A will follow at the end of the event.

This is not to be missed!

This program is supported by Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, Mitsui Sumitomo Marine Management (U.S.A.), Inc. and Sumitomo Corporation of Americas Foundation

Please enjoy the videos of “TOMOE”.

Online Event

Noh TOMOE – An Expression of Love

Monday, November 22, 2021| 8:00 PM (EST) |Online - Zoom webinar

Noh Society, promoting the timeless and borderless fascinations of Noh, has invited the Kanze school Shite Noh performer, Mikata Shizuka to introduce the Noh “Tomoe” - An Expression of Love, as an online event. He will provide insights into how the Shite (protagonist) communicates the story through movements, costume changes, and words, taking us into the emotional heart of “Tomoe”.

“Tomoe” is taken from the famous literary work “The Tale of Heike”, and portrays the last dramatic moments between Tomoe, a female warrior, and her lord Kiso Yoshinaka. The story portrays Tomoe’s unswerving loyalty and love for Yoshinaka, together with Tomoe’s deep regret that she cannot meet her end together with her lord, and her resolve to follow her destiny as a woman.

Mikata Shizuka is internationally active and is the founder of THEATRENOH, an organization that seeks to create a natural fusion of the traditional and contemporary in Noh. He hosts Noh study sessions, has authored books, and is active in bringing the art of Noh to wide audiences.

This webinar is based on the planned US performance by Mikata Shizuka that was moved to the Yarai Noh Theater in Tokyo due to COVID restrictions and held in September. The content will be transmitted in English and Japanese using interpretation and subtitles.

Supported by The Japan World Exposition 1970 Commemorative Fund, Sumitomo Corporation of Americas Foundation and Mitsui Sumitomo Marine Management (U.S.A.), Inc.    

Noh “Tomoe” – An Expression of Love
6th Tokyo performance by Noh Society

September 11th, 2021, Saturday, 2PM (JST)
Yarai Noh Theater (60 Yaraichō, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo)

Noh Society is pleased to announce the presentation of “Tomoe” by Mikata Shizuka, a Kanze-school Noh actor and the leader of THEATRENOH, an organization seeking realize a new world of Noh in our times. 

Mikata Shizuka will explain some of the key points of appreciation, making this program easily accessible even to those who are new to Noh.

“Tomoe” is taken from the famous literary work “The Tale of Heike”, and portrays the last dramatic moments between Tomoe, a female warrior, and her lord Kiso Yoshinaka. The story portrays Tomoe’s unswerving loyalty and love for Yoshinaka, Tomoe’s deep regret that she cannot meet her end together with her lord, and her resolve to continue to flight on his behalf. The scenes of this female warrior in action are vividly depicted as if we were seeing the events unfold in a hand scroll. 

Mikata Shizuka’s great artistry will enchant you with this moving story.

This program will be recorded and presented as an online event on Nov. 23rd at 10am (JST) with English captions.

Supported by The Japan World Exposition 1970 Commemorative Fund and Mitsui Sumitomo Marine Management (USA) 

Online: KYOGEN – 400 YEARS OF LAUGHTER IN KYOTO

Wednesday, March 10th, 2021 At 8:00 pm (EST)

Free registration: https://kyogen2021.eventbrite.com

KYŌGEN-400 YEARS OF LAUGHTER IN KYOTO which was postponed due to the pandemic has been scheduled as an online event on March 10th, 8 pm (EST).

We will be welcoming the Ōkura school Kyogen actor, Shigeyama Ippei. Active both in Japan and internationally, he is known not only for his Kyogen performances but also for his appearances in theatre and TV. He will introduce the history of Kyogen and give some pointers on how to enjoy its distinctive qualities, followed by performances of “Kakiyamabushi" (The persimmon Thief) and “Susugigawa” (The Washing River). 

“Kakiyamabushi” is a traditional play while “Susugigawa” is an adaptation of a medieval French farce, “Le Cuvier”, written by Iizawa Tadasu in 1952.

We will be bringing you, from Kyoto!, the distinctive Kyogen of the Shigeyama family, which both preserves a long and illustrious heritage and also takes on the new and innovative!

After the performances, there will be a Q&A session where Shigeyama Ippei will directly answer your questions.

We look forward to having you join us for this exciting event.

Hunter College (New York) and Northeastern University (Boston) will host two additional online events of KYOGEN – 400 YEARS OF LAUGHTER IN KYOTO.

Kyogen at Hunter College (New York)
Monday, March 8th, 2021

Kyogen at Northeastern University (Boston)
Tuesday, March 9th, 2021

This program is supported by THE TOKYO CLUB and Crédit Agricole CIB.

Noh Society Online Series

Although we could not proceed with the events scheduled for March and September, we are pleased to announce 3 online webinars for this fall - 2 Noh presentations and 1 Bunraku presentation. It is impossible to replicate the experience of live performances, but we hope these webinars will be both entertaining and informative.

The format will be as follows: An explanation of the theme for the webinar and a short slide or video demonstration/performance followed by a real-time Q&A.

The presentations will be in Japanese with English subtitles and interpretation where appropriate.

Support provided by The Japan Foundation, New York, J.C.C. Fund, Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of New York, Crédit Agricole CIB, Daiwa Capital Markets, DC Advisory, Mitsui Sumitomo Marine Management (U.S.A), Sumitomo Corporation of Americas Foundation and Tokio Marine America

Webinar #1| Friday, September 25th at 8pm EDT

(Saturday, September 26th at 9am JST)

Webinar #2| Friday, October 30th at 8pm EDT

(Saturday, Oct. 31st at 9am JST)

Webinar #3| Friday, November 27th at 8pm EST

(Saturday, Nov. 28 at 10 am JST)

Free registration at

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/noh-society-online-series-3-the-world-of-bunraku-tickets-128407332789

Noh Society has not been able to organize the events we had planned this year but we are delighted to offer you a video with English subtitles of a performance we organized in Tokyo in 2017. Enjoy a live performance of KAGYU with Zenchiku Daijirō, Ohkura Noriyoshi and Miyamoto Noboru. You will recognize Daijirō-san and Noriyoshi-san if you attended our event last November and /or in 2017. We thank them for authorizing us to publish it.

[POSTPONED]

We regret to inform you that we are postponing the upcoming Kyogen event, “Kyoto- 400 Years of Laughter” with Shigeyama Ippei that was scheduled for Saturday, March 14th. 

This was a truly difficult decision, but due to the health concerns surrounding the COVID-19 virus we felt it was in the best interest of both our performers and audience to reschedule. Planning is underway for a new date and we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this may cause.

Your tickets will be refunded in full by Brown Paper Tickets with funds being posted to your account within 3-10 business days. If you have questions regarding refunds, please contact them directly at https://www.brownpapertickets.com/about/locations

Thank you for your understanding. We look forward to seeing you at future events.

KYOGEN– 400 YEARS OF LAUGHTER IN KYOTO

Theater at St. Jean/ 150 E 76th St, New York, NY 10021

March 14, 2020. 6:30PM

We are excited to welcome the Shigeyama family - Shigeyama Ippei, Shigeyama Motohiko, and Shimada Hiromi - from Kyoto to New York City. Ippei and Motohiko have performed worldwide, not only as Kyogen performers but also as contemporary actors and TV personalities.  

The Shigeyama family has been performing Kyogen for over 400 years. They perform in the traditional styles but also energetically experiment with new styles. It is these two aspects which we are happy to showcase in this event.        

The evening will start with Shigeyama Ippei explaining the history, distinctive qualities, and means of expression used in Kyogen.

This will be followed by a performance “Kakiyamabushi" ("The Persimmon Thief”) and “Susugigawa” (“The Washing River ").

“Kakiyamabushi” is a traditional Kyogen play which showcases Kyogen's distinctive expressions and a variety of onomatopoeia — sounds personifying both audible and mute objects.

"Susugigawa" is an adaptation of the medieval French farce "Le Cuvier” written by Iizawa Tadasu in 1952.  

We will hold two additional events in New York and Boston:

Kyogen at Hunter College (New York)
Friday, March 13th, 2020

Kyogen at Northeastern University (Boston)
Monday, March 16th, 2020

Please save these dates. We look forward to seeing you in the spring.

This program is supported by THE TOKYO CLUB.

The Heart of Kyogen 2019 in USA

With the laughter from the recent performances in Tokyo still resounding in our ears, The Heart of Kyogen 2019 will bring the Okura School Kyogen actors Daijiro Zenchiku, Noriyoshi Ohkura, and Shinkai Yoshida back to the USA for the third time!

This “performance of bold and free laughter” will take place in New York, Princeton, and Washington DC.
In New York they will reprise the Tokyo performances of “Busu”, popular for its bold story line, and “Neongyoku”, a work with song and dance which ends on a magnanimous note.
To deepen our understanding of the unique 650 year tradition of Kyogen, this event will begin with an explanation of the history, distinctive qualities, and means of expression used in Kyogen, combined with participatory experiences of some of the forms and onomatopoeic words used in performances.

November 7th 4:00 pm

at Princeton University

November 8th

7:00 pm

at Bruno Walter Auditorium

(The New York Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center)

Use of library space for this program does not indicate endorsement by The New York Public Library.

November 9th 10:00 am

at Keio Academy

November 10th 3:00 pm

at George Washington University

​

Supported by Daiwa Capital Markets, Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas), Sumitomo Corporation of Americas Foundation, CRÉDIT AGRICOLE, J.C.C. Fund, Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of New York, JAPAN AIRLINES, Mitsui Sumitomo Marine Management (USA), ITO EN

The Heart of Kyogen 2019 in Tokyo

約650年の歴史をもつ伝統芸能、「狂言」。大蔵流狂言師がその楽しみ方をレクチャーし、人気演目を披露するイベントです。3度目の開催となる今回は、言葉遊びが楽しい「魚説経（うおぜっきょう）」、大胆なストーリー展開で幅広い年代に人気の「附子（ぶす）」を演じます。

出演

善竹大二郎　大藏教義　吉田信海

The Blossoming Spirits

Noh Lecture-Performance

Tenri Cultural Institute 43A W. 13th Street, New York, NY 

May 1st & May 2nd, 2019    @8:15PM

Experience & learn about the classical Japanese theater of Noh with Kinue Oshima, the first female Noh actor from the Kita School, and her brother Teruhisa Oshima who is also an acclaimed Kita School Noh actor.They will be accompanied by Narumi Takizawa (flute) and Naoko Takahashi (small hand drum).

A full costume performance of “Hashitomi", a Noh play based on the character Yugao (Moonflower) from The Tale of Genji, combined with demonstrations will provide both insight and enjoyment.

The program will include a music & dance excerpt from “Tadanori” and a discussion of the difference between the supernatural and human in Noh. 

This program will be presented in Japanese with English translation.

Presented by Noh Society and Fukuyama Kita Association

Supported by THE TOKYO CLUB

Noh Society presents the following programs in conjunction with The Blossoming Spirits.

In cooperation with Georgetown University and the Japan Information & Culture Center, Embassy of Japan, Noh Society will be able to present a lecture - performance of Noh, the Blossoming Spirits in Washington DC.

The Blossoming Spirits at Georgetown University

Tuesday, April 30, 2019

11:00 am - 12:15 pm

Devine Studio Theatre, Dais Performing Arts Center

\

The Blossoming Spirits at the Japan Information & Culture Center, Embassy of Japan

Tuesday, April 30, 2019

6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Japan Information & Culture Center, Embassy of Japan

1150 18th Street Northwest, Suite 100, Washington, DC 20036

Free and open to the public

https://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/jicc/events/the-blossoming-spirits.html

THE HEART OF BUNRAKU

THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT - NO TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR

Date: December 1, 2018

Time: 7:30pm - 9:30pm

Venue: The Theater at St. Jean

184 East 76th Street, New York, NY 10021

The art of Japanese Puppetry, Bunraku, also known as Ningyō Jōruri

will come alive in New York on December 1st!

A performance of "Datemusume Koi no Higanoko" - Hinomi Yagura no Dan, one of the most famous puppetry scenes, will be accompanied by presentations and demonstrations led by the Puppet Master Kanya Yoshida from the National Bunraku Theater in Osaka. This event will make this ancient art accessible and enjoyable even to those who are encountering it for the first time. This is a unique opportunity to experience and learn about this beautiful and compelling art from Japan. (The program will be presented in Japanese with English translation.)

Supported by TOSHIBA INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION and The Japan Foundation, New York

THE HEART OF BUNRAKU in Tokyo

A Lecture/Demonstration/Performance of BUNRAKU PUPPET THEATHER

Saturday, June 30th, 2018

The Nippon Zaidan Building 1-2-2 Akasaka, Minato-ku Tokyo Japan

The puppet master, Kanya Yoshida, will guide us in appreciating the sound of the shamisen, instruct us in how it takes three people to bring one puppet to life, and enlighten us about the Jōruri chanting.

This explanatory presentation will be followed by a performance of the famous fire lookout tower scene from Datemusume Koi no Higanoko.

Get a first look at this event scheduled for New York in the fall of 2018!

This program will be in Japanese with English interpretation.

大阪の庶民が愛した“文楽”の魅力に迫る　

太夫、三味線、人形の３要素で成り立つ“文楽”。

人形遣いの吉田勘彌氏が実演を交えて解説します。

人気の演目「伊達娘恋緋鹿子」(だてむすめこいのひがのこ）も披露！

 今秋のニューヨーク開催に先駆けた東京公演です

出演：豊竹希太夫、鶴澤清志郎、吉田勘彌、桐竹紋臣、桐竹勘次郎

                                  Performer : Toyotake Nozomidayu, Tsuruzawa Seishiro, Yoshida Kanya, Kiritake Montomi, Kiritake Kanjiro

日時：２０１８年６月３０日（土）

　　　午後２時半開演（午後２時会場）

Date：Saturday June 30th, 2018 at 2:30PM

場所：日本財団ビル２階

　　　東京都港区赤坂１−２−２　

Venue：The Nippon Zaidan Building 1-2-2 Akasaka, Minato-ku Tokyo

入場料：一般3,500円、パリクラブ会員3,000円、学生2,000円

Tickets：3,500 yen (Adult), 3,000 yen (Paris Club Member), 2,000 yen (Student)

主催：能ソサエティー、笹川日仏財団、日仏経済交流会（パリクラブ）

助成：公益財団法人東芝国際交流財団　後援：能ソサエティー後援会

協力：JSPS科研費　JP17K02401

Organized by Noh Society, Fondation franco-Japanaise Sasagawa, Groupe Economique Franco-Japonais (Paris Club)

Supported by TOSHIBA INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION, Noh Society Koenkai 

Co-Operation :  JSPS KAKENHI Grant Number  JP17K02401

The Sound of Breathing

A Lecture/Demonstration/Performance of Noh theater

Saturday, March 10th, 2018 at 5PM

Baruch Performing Arts Center

Noh, classical Japanese theater, resounds with beauty, power and artistry. This is why it has thrived for seven centuries. This stylized drama uses masks, chant, instrumental music, choreography, and splendid costuming to communicate universal human truths.

The Sound of Breathing explores aspects of this profound Japanese art form through utai (songs) and ko-tsuzumi (small hand drums).

The presentation will be led by Genjiro Okura, the 16th Grand Master of the Okura School of ko-tsuzumi-kata (small hand drum), together with Yoshinari Shimizu and Nobuyuki Kizuki, who are shite-kata performers from the Kanze Noh School .

The program will culminate in a short performance of Noh play in full costume.

This is a rare opportunity to discover and experience Noh, art form handed down for over 650 years.

The program will be in Japanese with English translation.

Experience Noh - a Workshop

Friday, March 9th, 2018 at 7PM

Tenri Cultural Institute

43A W13th St. New York, NY 10011

In conjunction with “The Sound of Breathing” Noh Society will host an “Experience Noh” workshop on March 9th (Friday) at the Tenri Cultural Center.

This workshop will be led by the internationally acclaimed Kanze School Noh performers Yoshinari Shimizu and Nobuyuki Kizuki, together with the 16th generation “kotsuzumi” (small hand drum) master Genjiro Okura.

In addition to instruction in Noh chanting and movement, there will be opportunities to wear Noh masks. Walking the stage with the restricted vision of a mask, accompanied by the sound of chanting and drums, will give a glimpse into the altered sense of time and space within Noh. An explanation of costumes and a demonstration of how they are worn will round out the event.

The Heart of Kyogen 2017

Lecture / Performance

Baruch Performing Arts Center, 55 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10010

Friday September 29th, 2017    7:00 pm

The acclaimed Ohkura School Kyogen actors Noriyoshi Ohkura and Daijiro Zenchiku are returning to New York!

Having delighted audiences with their performances and laughter in 2016, this year Mr. Ohkura and Mr. Zenchiku will perform the Kyogen classics, “SHIMIZU” (Spring Water) and “KAGYU” (Snail).

“SHIMIZU” is about a servant who cannot be bothered to get the water needed for a tea ceremony and makes up a story about a demon appearing at the spring...

“SNAIL” tells the improbable events that ensue when a servant agrees to bring back a snail that is an elixir of long life. The servant has no idea what a snail is and assumes a sleeping priest he encounters is the snail he is seeking...

Mr. Ohkura and Mr. Zenchiku will preface the performances with a lecture on the history of Kyogen and demonstrations of Kyogen acting techniques, stage effects, and sound use, making the performance readily accessible to everyone. (The program will be presented in Japanese with English supertitles.)

Kyogen is traditional Japanese comic theater. Kyogen dates back to the 14th century and was designated a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2001.

 Supported by J.C.C. Fund of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of New York.

この夏、”狂言”に行こう！ THE HEART OF KYOGEN 2017 東京公演

日本の笑いのルーツ”狂言”を能楽堂で体験しませんか？

ファンも納得の所見解説付き！

In response to the acclaimed Kyogen lecture/demonstration/performances of 2016, Noriyoshi Ohkura and Daijiro Zenchiku will be returning with a new program! The Tokyo performance is scheduled for August 19th, and New York for September 29th.

大蔵流狂言師 善竹大二郎と大藏教義による新企画。

９月のNY公演に先駆け、東京公演決定！

出演：　善竹大二郎　大藏教義　宮本昇

日時：　２０１７年８月１９日（土）午後３時開演（午後２時半会場）

場所：　セルリアンタワー能楽堂（セルリアンタワー東京ホテル地下２階）

入場料：一般 3,500円、学生 2,000円（全席自由席）

Program

1, お話　これだけは知っておきたい演出方法

2. 演目　「清水」「蝸牛」

あらすじ

「清水」：はやりの茶会のため、清水（湧き水）をくんでくるよう命じられた太郎冠者。気が進まず、清水に鬼が出たと嘘をつくが....

「蝸牛」：主人の命で長寿の薬・蝸牛（かぎゅう/カタツムリ）を取ってくることになった太郎冠者だが、蝸牛を見たことがない。竹やぶで寝ていた山伏を蝸牛だと勘違いして....

呼吸をする音　　ー能楽より「謡と小鼓の世界」

日本の文化遺産である「能楽」は６５０年もの昔から脈々と受け継がれてきました。情緒思考の芸術ともいえる能の世界を、謡と小鼓によって探求いたします。観世流能楽師清水義也氏と大倉流小鼓方十六世宗家大倉源次郎氏によるお話、そして小鼓の音とともに能の謡と舞の魅力をお届けします。

２０１７年８月５日（土）14:30開演（14:00開場）　 　　　　

　日仏会館ホール 

入場料　＜全席自由＞

[一般]  3,000円　[日仏経済交流会会員]  2,500円

[プロフィール]

清水義也

観世流シテ方能楽師。1973年　神奈川県横浜市生まれ。二十六世観世宗家・観世清和に師事し、2006年独立。祖父・清水義忠　曾祖父・清水八郎は共に観世流能楽師であり幼少より舞台に立つ。1979年　仕舞「熊野」で初舞台。1994年　東京芸術大学音楽学部邦楽科能楽卒業。

大倉源次郎

大倉流小鼓方十六世宗家。１９５７年大阪生まれ。十五世宗家大倉長十郎の次男。父に師事。19６５年独鼓「鮎の段」で初舞台。19８５年大倉流宗家を継承。通常の能公演はもとより、誰もが日本文化である「能」と気軽に出会えるよう「能楽堂を出た能」を制作する。 パリ、ニューヨークなどの海外公演にも数多く参加。日本能楽会会員（重要無形文化財総合指定）

[ 会場アクセス]

日仏会館ホール (Maison franco-japonaise)

〒150-0013 東京都渋谷区恵比寿３−９−２５

TEL: 03-5424-1141

JR 山手線 恵比寿駅東口 徒歩約10分

東京メトロ日比谷線 恵比寿駅1番出口 徒歩約12分 

JR恵比寿駅東口よりガーデンプレイス方面の動く歩道（恵比寿スカイウォーク）の終端より外に出て、左手の交差点を渡り、ガーデンプレイスを右手に見ながら直進すると次の交差点の角が日仏会館です。

主催/ Noh Society、能ソサエティー後援会　

共催/日仏経済交流会　パリクラブ

THE HEART OF KYOGEN 

Lecture – Demonstration - Performance

October 19th - 22nd, 2016

EXPERIENCE THE JOYOUS LAUGHTER OF KYOGEN, the Japanese classical comic theater which seeks out the humor in people’s daily lives

Noh Society presented "The Heart of Kyogen: lecture- demonstration - performance" in New York, featuring 26th generation Okura School Kyogen actors, Noriyoshi Okura and Daijiro Zenchiku. To demystify this profound 650-year-old Japanese art form, they presented a lecture about the various performance elements of Kyogen, including stage effects and sound effects. After the Kyogen actors demonstrated the intricate and efficient manner in which they put on their costumes, they performed a Kyogen play “Bonsan” which told the story of a dull-witted, amateur thief.

The lecture was presented with simultaneous English translation. This program was supported by the Japan Foundation and Tenri Cultural Institute.

NY開催に先駆けて、一夜限りの「狂言」、日本の笑いの原点に触れる！

An exclusive preview of a New York program!

Experience a night of Kyogen, the foundation of Japanese comedy