The stage for Kyogen performers living in the 21st century
Vol.4 A kyogen performance at the place where summer ends and autumn begins
Ozo doctrine (Noh performer Kyogen style Ozo school)
It felt like the temperature had dropped significantly since the beginning of October, but the heat returned on October 6th after a long time. Today was the votive kyogen performance at Nakanoshima Inari Shrine.
As you turn the corner, you can hear festival music. The approach to the shrine is bustling with stalls, and you can feel the excitement of opening your wallet a little. Although there was no fear of a typhoon, the winds were a little strong, and some long-time members of the support group said, ``This is the first time I've seen such strong winds.''
I moved here seven years ago, and the following year I started holding Kyogen classes at a community center maintained by the neighborhood association.
When my child was born, I made my first visit to the local shrine to meet with the chief priest, and immediately told him that I wanted to offer a kyogen performance at the Kagura hall, to which he readily agreed. The chief priest also brought members of the support group to a kyogen performance I hosted, and the support group was also eager to see a kyogen performance at the shrine. I feel that it was a strange fate that various events came together at the same time.
And this year is the 6th time. The students work together to create the pine curtain that hangs behind the stage, the stage set modeled after a Noh theater, and the programs distributed to the audience. The seating is in the traditional style with loaf mats. The performance began in an indescribably gloomy atmosphere, as if announcing the end of summer.
This is the first time that all 13 students have sung a small song together. The ``Kyogen Kouta Collection,'' a collection of various short songs that appear in Kyogen plays, was a great experience as the students' feelings and voices became one, and above all, it was powerful. In the other performances, each individual shined, and laughter could be heard from the audience. Despite the occasional gusts of wind making the trees rustle loudly, the students' voices must have reached many people.
In this class, the students themselves are the main characters, and I think I am just a supporting role. It is difficult to live true to yourself in this world, but the world of Kyogen affirms you as you are. The students' lively performances were very beautiful. The hour flew by, but I'm sure the gods were pleased by the students' enthusiasm and the laughter of the audience.
The ceremony ended on a high note with a congratulatory message. With the hope that your daily life will be even a little richer.
