A showdown between East and West ointments on the Kamakura Noh stage!?

Top image: Photo by Sosuke Komai

The grand stage for Kyogen performers living in the 21st century
Vol.1 : East vs. West: A Showdown of Ointments at the Kamakura Noh Stage!
Ozo doctrine (Noh performer Kyogen style Ozo school)

Overlooked by the statue of Kannon, this area of Hase in Kamakura is bustling with activity even on weekdays. On weekends, the number of tourists along Daibutsu Street, which leads from the station to the Great Buddha, is far greater than on weekdays.
Even so, stepping off the bustling street into the side streets reveals a quiet residential area. Located here is the Kamakura Noh Stage, the venue for today's performance.

The venue has a capacity of 200 seats. Both tatami mat seating and chair seating are available, and those in the front row seem close enough to touch the performers. Not only is there an explanation before the performance, but subtitles are provided during the Noh performance, and there is even a Q&A session after the show. I think it's quite rare to find a Noh or Kyogen performance planned with the audience's perspective in mind to this extent.

The performances on this day were divided into two parts: morning and afternoon. Part 1 featured the Kyogen play "Koyaku-neri" and the Noh play "Fuji Taiko." Part 2 featured the Kyogen play "Jizo-mai" and the Noh play "Hoka-so."

"Koyakuren" is a story about a contest between two koyakuren from Kyoto and Kamakura, where they try to see whose koyaku is stronger by sucking on it. They stick koyaku to each other's noses, and the one whose nose is pulled the most loses.
The second act, "Hōkasō," is a story of revenge. Kyōgen actors must perform not only Kyōgen but also Noh plays.

Photography: Sosuke Komai

Although there were no subtitles for the Kyogen performance, chuckles could be heard at key moments. The intimate setting created a comfortable distance between the performers and the audience.
In Noh performances, some people follow the story while looking at the subtitles, nodding in agreement... This is proof that their understanding is deepening.
During the scene where the revenge plot is being hatched, the actors' tension reaches its climax. You can feel the audience's attention becoming completely focused on the stage. The "chuckles" and "yes, yes" felt like a genuine connection in that moment, and it made me very happy.

Photography: Sosuke Komai

The performance ended in the evening. Stepping out onto Daibutsu Street, the sea breeze blowing from Yuigahama Beach felt wonderful. Released from the tension of the stage, I too returned to the present.

<A peek behind the scenes reveals...>

This is the hair oil used for "Koyaku-ren" (ointment preparation). It's an essential item for applying the "Koyaku" to your nose. You can't compare the different types of ointments without it.

I'm engrossed in applying hair oil to paper in the dressing room.

If it were to fall off midway, it would literally be "unacceptable," so to be on the safe side, I securely repaired it with double-sided tape.
This, too, is another aspect of a Kyogen performer living in the modern age.