Noh,
a classical Japanese theatrical performance
for the aristocratic.
Traditional Japanese Performance
NOH THEATRE
You may have watched a video about it in your drama class,
now you can watch it first hand!
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| Photo courtesy of Hachiro Tsujii |
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??
Noh (能楽) vs Kabuki (歌舞伎)
4 Main Differences between Japan's Noh Theatre and Kabuki
❶ Time of Origin
Kabuki has a long history originating from the 17th century,
but Noh Theatre has been around since the 14th century!
❷ Vocals
While both Noh and Kabuki is performed only by men,
the way sexes are shown is different.
In Kabuki plays,
if playing a woman role, the man will change his voice to show that.
However in Noh plays, the actors pitch doesn't change.
❸ Audience
Originally Kabuki was entertainment for anyone and everyone,
while Noh was for the selected elite.
❹ Special Effects during Performance
Kabuki uses stage effects to added emphasis to the production,
but Noh is represented only by the performers on stage.
A Special Performance for Foreigners
ONLY ON Saturday, January 27, 2018
There are even MANY Japanese people who have never seen a performance.
We bet even for those who have seen Noh Theatre,
they have never had the chance to try some of the rituals in Noh themselves!
But for one day only,
there's a special performance and demonstration held
where you can go backstage and meet the performers!!
When is this once in a life time!!??!?
Saturday, January 27, 2018!!
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!
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What is Noh Theatre?
The History of Noh
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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.
It is characterized by symbolic, highly
stylized acting and elaborate masks.
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.
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From Mascaraed to Sacred Ceremony
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| Noh officials preparing for the ceremony |
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.
Since Noh was performed at places that was considered close to god,
there were important rituals that had to be done first.
This ritual normally isn't open to the public,
but on the special performance day (Saturday, January 27th, 2018),
you can not only see the ritual, but partake in it!!
Noh Ritual, "Shinji" (神事)
Step by Step
⓵Drink sake and make a vow to god
by sake nuptial cups "Sakazu goto" (盃事)
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
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| You may have seen this in Memoirs of a Geisha! |
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.
⓶Cleanse 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.
But salt...?
Similar to the flint,
this special salt has used as a means of purification.
A lot of other cultures and religions actually have the same beliefs.
This special purifying salt is called Okiyomejio (お清め塩).
There are two different meanings and uses
depending on the religion (Buddhism and Shintoism),
but still relates to why they do it in Noh.
In Buddhist tradition, salt repels evil spirits.
That's why it's customary to throw salt over your shoulder
before entering your house after a funeral:
it scares off any evil spirits that may be clinging to your back.
In Shintoism,
it scares off any evil spirits that may be clinging to your back.
In Shintoism,
like mentioned before, salt is used to purify an area.
You may have seen when sumo wrestlers enter the ring for a match,
they throw a handful of salt into the center to drive off vicious spirits.
put some in your mouth,
then rub the rest of it on your body.
Then do the same with the salt!
✨And you're purified✨
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Cultural Artifacts
1 Stunning Noh Costumes (能装束)
Noh costumes are much more impressive and boldly patterned.
It really makes great contrast with the more simple stage and surroundings.
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.
and are worth millions!!!
By the way, you can get up close to the robes
at the special entertainment day!
2 Noh Masks (能面)
which means that it is the responsibility of the actor
to convey emotion through body movements.
Joy and sadness can be expressed with the same mask
through a slight change in the way shadows fall across its features.
For example looking down creating shadow would represent sadness,
and up eliminating the shadows for happiness.
If they put their hand up covering the eyes, they're crying.
Thus in a way the masks represent the characters minds and hearts.
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.
Rarely are they made brand new.
Which explains why the facial features are very traditional
looking and different.
The women's faces for example,
are made to look like what was considered beautiful then.
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Noh Theatre
Unlike kabuki, which emphasizes grand gestures and spectacles,
Noh gets its punch from subtlety,
focusing only on the characters in the play.
which explains the roof.
However now the structures have been moved inside.
It's a complete beauty!
At the end of the walkways are curtains.
However in Noh Theatre,
the stage structure is more than just that.
This spot alone has a very in depth meaning.
It is said that behind the curtains and in the walkways
represent the underworld.
Where the main (center) stage is the world of the living.
So if there is a character in the story that's dead,
he/she will most likely be in the walkway.
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.
This gives the viewer the impression of a far distance.
It's an entrance for the narration and other non-performers.
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GO BACKSTAGE!
Wear white socks~
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| Go on stage and see the performers up close! |
since the stage has a spiritual connection with god.
and knowledge of Noh Theatre to foreigners though,
you can walk around the red carpet!
A bit of advise though!
Wear white socks!!
If you do,
you can walk on other places of the stage besides the red carpet.
If you don't,
the only place you'll be able to stand/walk on is the red carpet area.
※The idea of white socks being the same
as the white rice and salt mentioned before
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Schedule and Ticket Information
at the Kitano Gakudo!
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/
Access?
Roughly 7min walk from Tokyo Meguro Station (目黒駅)
Google Maps
Schedule & More
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
❶ Online
⇩Link here⇩
http://www.confetti-web.com/en/detail.php?tid=41277&
❷ Offline
you can get them at Tickets Today,
which is a ticket voucher for lots of special performances and events.
There are 5 outlets in Tokyo
‣Tickets Today Asakusa Branch
2-5-5 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Google Maps
Business hours: 10am~7pm
‣Tickets Today Ginza Branch
GINZA FIVE 1F, 5-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Google Maps
Business hours: 10am~8pm
SHIBUYA 109 2F, 2-29-1 Dōgenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Google Maps
Business hours: 10am~8pm
‣Tickets Today Omotesando Branch
SPIRAL 1F, 5-6-23 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Google Maps
Business hours: 10am~8pm
‣Tickets Today Shinjuku Branch
Kinokuniya Shinjuku 1F, 3-17-7 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Google Maps
Business hours: 10am~8pm
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