Noh Experience
What You Will Gain from This Tour
1. Gain a deeper understanding of Noh through a Noh actor's performance presentation and a mini-lecture on Noh.
2. Enjoy the luxury of a private Noh performance exclusively for your group at the Yarai Noh Theater, reserved just for you.
3. Experience the rare opportunity to step onto a Noh stage, wear an authentic Noh mask, and learn the shimai dance directly from a Noh actor.
About Noh and Kyogen, Together Known as Nohgaku: The World’s Oldest Performing Art
Nohgaku, Japan's prestigious traditional stage art, comprises two elements: Noh and Kyogen. Continuously performed for over 650 years since the Muromachi period (1336–1573), it has long enjoyed the patronage of samurai and feudal lords and is considered the world’s oldest traditional performing art.
Noh is a mystical musical drama, while Kyogen depicts people's everyday lives with humor. Both forms were cherished by historical figures such as Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu, and today, they are registered as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, receiving high acclaim both domestically and internationally.
What is Noh
Noh is a highly refined form of Japanese traditional theater, performed with song (utai) and instrumental music (hayashi). Noh plays often draw from classical literature and is characterized by using Noh masks to depict otherworldly realms. Characters include not only humans but also gods, demons, spirits, and mythical beings whose interactions with the human world are central to the plot.
Performers use highly stylized movements to convey the narrative, employing masks and costumes to leave a lasting impression on the audience. The Noh stage, unique in its construction, appears simple but is laden with symbolic meanings, creating a space where performers and spectators can connect on a spiritual level.
What is Kyogen
Kyogen is a more accessible genre within Japanese traditional arts, serving as a comedic counterpart to Noh. It primarily explores themes from the daily lives of medieval commoners, portraying ordinary incidents with a comedic twist.
Kyogen's stories highlight human folly and contradictions, often encouraging self-reflection among the audience. Unlike Noh, Kyogen performers usually appear without masks, offering direct comedic relief through naturalistic performance.
Additionally, Kyogen's atmosphere lightens the mood, balancing the solemnity of Noh's plays with its lively tempo. Kyogen performers excel at engaging the audience, using unique vocal techniques and body movements to convey deep insights through seemingly simple acts.
(Note) UNESCO registered ‘Nôgaku theatre’ as Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Yarai Noh Theater
Yarai Noh Theater is owned by the Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Kanze Kyuko Kai and is registered as a National Tangible Cultural Property.
The current stage and building were reconstructed in 1952, making it the second-oldest Noh theater in Tokyo.
There are only five Noh theaters in Japan with National Tangible Cultural Property registration, and Yarai Noh Theater is the only one in Tokyo, making it an exceptionally rare and valuable cultural site.
The Secrets of Noh Masks
Noh masks themselves are especially rare to see, as few artisans now craft them. In Japan, the term “Noh mask-like expression” is often used to describe a blank or emotionless face. However, in reality, Noh masks are not expressionless; they reveal different emotions depending on the viewing angle. The secret lies in the mask's 'ambiguous expression' and 'asymmetrical design.'
These insights draw intriguing parallels between the mysterious expressions of Noh masks and those found in Western art, such as the Mona Lisa.
Differences Between Noh and Modern Performing Arts
Noh is distinct in its unique style of expression and strict division of roles, which are major differences between Noh and modern performing arts. Particularly, the roles of Shite-kata and Waki-kata in Noh are strictly separated, and once an actor enters a school, they continue in the same role for life. This tradition of role continuity is a fascinating aspect of Noh that sets it apart from the flexible role dynamics found in modern movies and TV dramas.
The Role of Noh in Creating a Common Language in Japan
During the Edo period, Japan had many distinct dialects, but the sankin-kotai system, which required daimyo and their retainers to travel regularly to Edo, created the need for a common language. Noh, with its standardized chants performed across the country, served as a shared language that people from different regions could understand. Today, the language used in Noh sounds like the samurai speech in period dramas, as it evolved into a "samurai language" understood nationwide.
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The Connection Between Noh and Sumo
The final chant of the Noh play Takasago is called Senshuraku. This Noh practice is said to be the origin of the term Senshuraku, which now also refers to the final day of a sumo tournament or stage performance.
Noh has a history spanning over 650 years, while sumo’s history is said to exceed 1,500 years. The connection between these two long-standing traditions through the term Senshuraku in the Noh play Takasago is truly fascinating.
The Best 19 Things to Do in Shinjuku
Nohgaku is featured in 'The Best 19 Things to Do in Shinjuku,' published by the Shinjuku Ward Cultural and Tourism Industry Department. Our company offers a tour called 'Experience Traditional Japanese Performing Arts: Noh and Modernized Japanese Goods.'
The Yarai Noh Theater, located in Kagurazaka, is a special venue where we provide these traditional cultural experience tours, showcasing this unique form of Japanese performing art.
Noh Experience Tour Information
Meeting point
Meeting place will be decided upon consultation with the customer.
Hotel pickup is also available for an additional fee.
Tour Duration
Approximately 2 hours.
The tour duration may vary depending on your budget, group size, and desired experience. For more details, please contact us.
Accessibility
The Yarai Noh Theater is designed with universal accessibility, allowing entry for both wheelchair users and strollers. However, please contact us regarding access to the Noh stage.
Insurance
We are covered by Tour Operator Liability Insurance, so you can join our tours with peace of mind. In the event of an injury during the tour, please go to a hospital promptly with your guide and receive a medical examination. If the hospital confirms that the injury was due to an accident during the tour, we will cover the medical expenses. However, please note that if the hospital does not recognize the injury as tour-related, we will not be able to cover the expenses.