Ticket Prices(tax included)
Backstage Tour + S Seat (1F Reserved seat)
¥25,000
S Seat(1F Reserved seat)
¥12,000
A Seat (1F Reserved seat)
¥10,000
Student Seat* (2F Non-Reserved seat)
¥3,500
Program Overview
Day1
Monday, 21 October 2024
Backstage tour
Begins at 6:00 p.m. (doors open 5:30 p.m.)
Performance
Begins at 8:00 p.m. (doors open 7:30 p.m.)
Program
Introduction talk in English, Noh Aoi no Ue
Day2
Friday, 27 December 2024
Backstage tour
Begins at 2:00 p.m. (doors open 1:30 p.m.)
Performance
Begins at 4:00 p.m. (doors open 3:30 p.m.)
Program
Introduction talk in English, Noh Funa Benkei
What is Noh?
Here are some of its key features!
Noh is a classical Japanese performing art that was developed by the playwrights /actors Kanami and Zeami around the 14th century. It has been a highly influential art form throughout the history of Japanese art since then and has also gained global attention.
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Visual and musical art
Because noh is a “total theatre” combining visual, musical and literary expressions, there are many ways to enjoy it. Elaborate masks and costumes are used on stage by characters chanting or dancing to music. The simple, sophisticated stage presentation of noh has inspired numerous artists to this day.
02
Classical literature
Much of the repertory is based on ancient and medieval literary works, including The Tale of Genji, The Tale of the Heike, and The Tales of Ise. Noh provides deep insights into Japanese culture through its lyrical text depicting canonical stories. Also, Kyoto, the ancient capital, serves as the background of numerous plays.
03
Universal stories
The stories unfold driven by themes shared with theatrical masterpieces of all times and places around the world, including compassion, sorrow, regret, anger, and joy. The stories of noh have universal themes that resonate with contemporary audiences.
Noh is designated as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
Special Program
Limited to 20 persons per session
Participants will be able to visit the backstage of a noh theatre, which is normally inaccessible to audience members, guided by English-speaking noh experts.
01
Watch how the performers don precious masks and costumes up close.
02
Go on the stage and see the theatre from the performers’ point of view.
03
You can also take photos.
04
Explore the unique backstage practices of noh.
Full Language
Support
English Commentary
Japan-based specialist guides will provide easy to understand explanations in English.
Diego Pellecchia
Diego Pellecchia is associate professor at Kyoto Sangyō University, where he teaches and researches nō theatre. He is a certified instructor of the Kongō school of nō, and a founding member of Discover Noh in Kyoto.
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Julia Yamane
Julia Yamane is representative director of Discover Noh in Kyoto, where she organizes and directs activities to promote noh from multicultural perspectives. She is a practitioner of the Kanze School of Noh.
CLOSESubtitles available
English subtitles will be displayed to provide commentary as the performances unfold. The subtitles will scroll automatically along with the action on stage, making the stories easy to understand, even for beginners. You can view them on a rental tablet or on your smartphone.
Synopsis
Day1
Aoi no Ue
The play is based on the world’s oldest long novel written in the eleventh century, the Tale of Genji. Lady Aoi (Aoi no Ue), the wife of Prince Genji (Hikaru Geni) is possessed by a specter and becomes deeply ill, so Shamaness Teruhi (Teruhi no Mae) is called to her sickbed to perform a ritual to find the cause. Then, the specter reveals itself to be Lady Rokujō (Rokujō no Miyasudokoro), an elegant widow who used to be Genji’s lover. After Lady Rokujō lost Genji’s love, her grief was so strong that her spirit wandered out of her body and is now doing harm to Genji’s wife. A priest is summoned to repel Lady Rokujō’s powers, but her love for Genji drives her mad and she tries to take Lady Aoi’s life. The story is a masterpiece depicting the complexity of love as well as the pride and shame of a noblewoman.
OPENCLOSE
Day2
Funa Benkei
Minamoto Yoshitsune, the hero of the war between the Heike and Genji clans in the twelfth century, flees the capital with his loyal retainers after discord with his brother Yoritomo. They reach the Daimotsu Port (Hyogo Prefecture), hoping to escape to the west of the country by sea, but Yoshitsune’s mistress, Lady Shizuka (Shizuka Gozen), is forced to turn back and leave the party due to the dangerous journey on boat lying ahead. She tearfully says goodbye after dancing to pray for Yoshitsune’s military fortune and the brothers’ reconciliation. After Yoshitsune and his party set sail, a horde of ghosts of the Heike clan demolished by Yoshitsune appear and attempt to take their revenge on him. The highlights of this performance are the graceful dance of Lady Shizuka and the dynamic action of the enemy general Tomomori, attacking Yoshitsune with a halberd.
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Schedule
Day1
Monday, 21 October 2024
Backstage tour
6:00–7:00 p.m. (doors open 5:30 p.m.)
Performance
8:00–9:30 p.m. (doors open 7:30 p.m.)
Day2
Friday, 27 December 2024
Backstage tour
2:00–3:00 p.m. (doors open 1:30 p.m.)
Performance
4:00–5:50 p.m. (doors open 3:30 p.m.)
Venue
KYOTO KANZE NOH THEATER
44 Okazaki Enshoji-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8344 Japan
5 minute walk from Exit 1 of Higashiyama Station on the Subway- Tozai Line.
* There is a paid parking lot next to the Kyoto Kanze Noh Theater, but lots are limited.
* Bicycle parking is located near the main entrance.
Program Details
Day1
Monday, 21 October 2024
Backstage tour
Limited to 20 persons.
We willL take you backstage, which is normally inaccessible to audience members, with English-speaking expert guides.
Performance
-Greetings-
Hruhisa Kawamura
-Introduction-
Diego Pellecchia
<Noh>Aoi no Ue
Lady Rokujō : Kurōemon Katayama
Shamaness Teruhi : Shigeki Miyamoto
Yokawa no Kohijiri (priest) : Kinya Hōshō
Servant : Sengorō Shigeyama
OPENCLOSE
Day2
Friday, 27 December 2024
Backstage tour
Limited to 20 persons.
We willL take you backstage, which is normally inaccessible to audience members, with English-speaking expert guides.
Performance
-Greetings-
Hruhisa Kawamura
-Introduction-
Julia Yamane
<Noh>Funa Benkei
Lady Shizuka : Toyohiko Sugiura
Taira no Tomomori : Yasuchika Urata
Yoshitsune : Rituro Tamoi
Benkei : Tomotaka Fukuo
Boatman : Senzaburo Shigeyama
OPENCLOSE
Performers
Kuroemon Katayama
Born in 1964 as the son of Yusetsu Katayama (a Living National Treasure). He studied under his father and Tetsunojō Kanze VIII.
In addition to numerous performances throughout Japan, he performs actively in Europe, the United States, and Taiwan.
The performances he produces are not confined to noh theater, and he has also authored a series of noh-themed picture books to introduce and promote noh.
He was awarded the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology’s Art Encouragement Prize for New Artists in 2014 and the Kanze Hisao Memorial Hōsei University Noh Theatre Award in 2015, among many other accolades.
Chairman of the Kyoto Kanze-kai Association, Director of the Katayama Family Foundation for the Preservation of Noh and Kyomai, and holder of Intangible Cultural Properties (comprehensive designation).
Toyohiko Sugiura
Born in 1962 as the son of Motosaburō Sugiura. He studied under his father as well as Yusetsu Katayama (a Living National Treasure), Sakon Kanze (previous Grand Master) and Kiyokazu Kanze (current Grand Master).
In addition to numerous performances throughout Japan, he performs actively in the United States, India, Australia, and Europe.
Director of the Kyoto Kanze-kai Association, Member of the Kyoto Branch of the Nohgaku Performers’ Association, Director of the Kyoto Noh Association, and holder of Intangible Cultural Properties (comprehensive designation).
Yasuchika Urata
Born in 1967 as the second son of Yasutoshi Urata. He studied under his father and Bunzō Ōtsuki (a Living National Treasure).
In addition to numerous performances throughout Japan, he performs actively in the United Kingdom, Spain, Greece, the United States, Mongolia, and other countries. He also performs with people from other genres, such as kabuki actors, dancers, and musicians.
Awarded the 2018 Osaka Cultural Festival Encouragement Award, Director of the Kyoto Kanze-kai Association, Director of the Kyoto Noh Association, and holder of Intangible Cultural Properties (comprehensive designation).
Ticket Prices(tax included)
Backstage Tour + S Seat (1F Reserved seat)
¥25,000
S Seat(1F Reserved seat)
¥12,000
A Seat (1F Reserved seat)
¥10,000
Student Seat* (2F Non-Reserved seat)
¥3,500
* Student seats require a student ID to be presented at admission. Only students of graduate schools, universities, vocational schools, high schools, junior high schools, and elementary schools in Japan and abroad are eligible.
Online Booking
Click the button below to book tickets.
* Choose your preferred date on the booking page.
Payment is possible with the following credit cards: JCB, VISA, Master and AMERICAN EXPRESS.
Contact Us
You can contact us by email.
Request to
Customers
Food and beverages are not allowed in the theater
Photography, audio recording, or video recording is not allowed during performances
Please turn off cell phones and other electronic devices that emit sound or light during performances
Performers and other details are subject to change
You may be asked to leave if you disturb other guests
Thank you in advance for your cooperation
About
KYOTO KANZE
NOH THEATER
The KYOTO KANZE NOH THEATER is the largest noh theater in Kyoto, with a capacity of 500 seats. It is the home of Kyoto’s Kanze School of Noh and hosts numerous noh performances throughout the year. The pine tree on the kagami-ita wall was painted by the Japanese painter Inshō Dōmoto.
Presented by Kyoto Kanze Kai
Supported by Discover Noh in Kyoto
