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A dedicated Kyogen performance at the place where summer ends and autumn begins.

夏が終わり 秋が始まる場所で、奉納狂言

A cypress stage for Kyogen artists living in the 21st century
Vol.4 Kyogen dedicated to the place where summer ends and autumn begins
Ozo doctrine (Noh performer Kyogen style Ozo school)

It felt like the temperature had dropped considerably since the beginning of October, but on October 6th, the heat returned for the first time in a while. Today is a dedication 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.

After my child was born, I made my first visit to the shrine to visit the local deity, and I connected with the chief priest.I immediately told him, ``I would like to perform a Kyogen performance at this Kagura hall,'' and he readily agreed. The chief priest brought the members of the Hosankai to the ``Ozashiki Kyogen'' that I sponsored, and the members of the Hosankai enthusiastically said, ``We would love to do Kyogen at the shrine.'' I feel a strange connection with the coincidence of various timings.
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 classroom, the students themselves are the protagonists, and I only play a supporting role. We live in a world where it is difficult to live our lives as ourselves, but the world of Kyogen affirms who we are. The lively performance of the students is very beautiful. The hour passed by quickly, but God must have been pleased with the enthusiasm of the students 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.

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