Aim to have a workshop where you can watch, laugh, and feel energized through your experience
The stage for Kyogen performers living in the 21st century
Vol.6 A workshop where you can watch, laugh, and experience something uplifting.
Ozo doctrine (Noh performer Kyogen style Ozo school)
Learning is play. Play is learning.
When did you first come across this word?
When I was in elementary school, we used blue litmus paper in science experiments, and it turned red when immersed in an acidic solution. I still can't forget the thrill I felt from my toes to my head at this discovery and astonishment. The wonder that a piece of paper and a liquid brought about stimulated my curiosity, and it became a form of play that went beyond just a lesson.
Recently, I have been asked to hold experiential workshops for children.
I had held workshops before, but they were mainly aimed at adults. Between performances, I would bring the audience up on stage and let them try out various expressive techniques, such as basic posture, sliding steps, and vocalization, and they lasted about 20 minutes at most.
The first workshop I took on when I was around 30 years old was an event that even preschoolers could participate in. We were not used to working with children, so we performed Kyogen and taught various expressive methods and forms, such as basic postures and sliding feet.
The kids got bored.
I got bored of it within 10 minutes.
Some children left midway through.
The remaining 50 minutes are for parents.
It's an event for children.
I still can't forget that setback.
Ah, just remembering it makes me sick...
To begin with, it's the world of classical performing arts, so I'm ashamed of myself for thinking that it's unthinkable to break the mold.
First, I thought about what I was lacking and what I needed to do to make people enjoy themselves. It was like replacing the cells in my body.
The workshop is not about learning, but about playing. With that in mind, we gathered a variety of items.
A self-made kyogen picture-story show.
Fan Kid lets you make your own original fan.
There will also be time to try on Kyogen costumes.
Over the course of several more years, we were able to create an exciting workshop that people could enjoy without compromising on authenticity and style.
The children's faces are filled with laughter and excitement as they watch the kyogen performance.
During the experience, the children showed energetic movements and loud voices that sounded almost deafening.
They express themselves with great enthusiasm.
Seeing the kids sitting at the back gradually come forward gave me a little bit of confidence.
What is the true appeal of "classical performing arts"?
What is the "traditional performing arts" that we should truly cherish?
I strongly hope that this will be a place where people can learn while having fun.
