(Top image) Photo: Kaoru Kunisaki
The stage for Kyogen performers living in the 21st century
Vol.8 Modern training to support the "secret songs" of traditional performing arts
Ozo doctrine (Noh performer Kyogen style Ozo school)
The other day, I performed "Tsurigitsune," a secret piece in the Kyogen repertoire. It marked the 20th anniversary of the Okura-ryu Kichijiro Kyogen Association, which is run by my father's school, and this was my second attempt at performing this piece.
Let me briefly explain the story.
A fox, whose family has been caught by a hunter, disguises himself as a monk named Hakuzosu and goes to persuade the hunter to stop catching foxes. On the way back, the fox finds bait in a trap that the hunter has discarded, and gives in to temptation. He finally takes off his kimono, revealing his true nature and getting caught in the trap. In the end, he manages to escape the trap, and the hunter chases him away.
It is considered the most difficult of the 180 Kyogen plays, and requires the mind, technique, and body, so it is customary to perform it as the final stage of a graduation course after about 20 years of training. For this reason, it is also likened to a "graduation thesis" for Kyogen performers. In other words, it is only after performing "Tsurigitsune" that one is considered a full-fledged performer.
I was 26 years old when I first performed the piece, and this anniversary marks the second time it has been performed again.
* Former shite actor Hakuzono (photographed by Kunisaki Kaoru)
It goes without saying that the technical aspects are difficult, but what's even more important is physical strength.
Because the foxes have taken on human form, the performers sit in a crouched position and speak, fly, and sing in this position for the entire first 40 minutes of the play.
And the biggest problem is the heat.
Hakuzosu wears a fluffy fox costume over which he puts on a costume, including a horned hat, gloves, and a mask.
Only the nape of the neck is exposed to the air.
*Fox costumes and traps. Check carefully before the performance to make sure there is no damage!
As I was approaching 40, my biggest problem was my physical strength. Without it, I couldn't use my skills. So this year, I started training.
・Run 5km
・Strength training 30 minutes
・20 minutes of yoga
・Stretching for 30 minutes
At first, he was just warming up, but once May came around, he made a big push and pushed himself hard.
As mentioned above, it was necessary to take measures against the heat, so I always dressed in ``hot'' clothes when running.
The long-sleeved "extra warm" jacket sold at a certain clothing store was very useful.
Of course, the tights are Heattech.
You then put on a sauna suit, a towel around your head and neck, gloves and a mask.
He runs while muttering his lines.
I was running along the bank in a very suspicious outfit, but luckily I wasn't thought of as a suspicious person. 
The reason why I didn't choose clothes sold at sports stores is because it's best to wear clothes that are difficult to move in. There's no point in training if you don't put any strain on yourself.
I focused on training my inner muscles. I was not interested in muscle training and did nothing, so I only knew about push-ups, but I was surprised to find that there are more efficient ways to train. I looked it up on the website, and there are many YouTube posts that explain it in detail. Just slowly practicing the five types of exercises that I chose myself is enough to make me sweat.
I bought or borrowed books on stretching and yoga to help me do them.
I found that just by diligently working through the stretches in one book, my body felt much lighter. The book also carefully teaches me which muscles to stretch.
Yoga involves a variety of poses, but I focused on strengthening my core.
In fact, I thought that stretching and yoga had nothing to do with Kyogen. However, when I actually tried them, I found that they surprisingly improved my performance, and I felt embarrassed at myself for having thought that way.
The body is very light, which gives stability to the shuffle.
What surprised me the most was the sports drinks. Instead of the sports drinks I had been drinking, I was recommended a product called hypotonic water. It absorbs fluid quickly, so water doesn't slosh around in my stomach.
Energy drinks are also essential. They are consumed before going on stage. During intermissions (when they leave the stage and return to the stage), they consume gel-type drinks to quickly restore their strength and muscles. They were able to take to the stage using the power of modern times.
It requires immense physical strength, technique, and the mental strength to back it all up. It's a performance that truly brings together mind, technique, and body. 
*The fox of the after shite. A special mask used only by foxes. Visibility is almost zero. (Photo: Kaoru Kunisaki)
I was once asked, "Why do you go to such lengths?"
34 years in the entertainment industry. 13 years since the first performance. Perhaps he wanted to know what his limit was now. I think he wanted to find the answer to whether what he had accumulated was right.
All that was left was to decide whether to do it or not. Set yourself a goal and work hard to achieve it. Do your best to satisfy the viewers.
That was my only thought.
From now on, my physical strength will decline, but my technique and mentality will improve.
I think it's a performance worthy of pouring everything into, everything you've built up to that age, your life.
I would like to challenge myself again to reach my limits in the next 10 or 20 years.
*The photographs published here are strictly prohibited from being altered or used for secondary purposes in accordance with the Copyright and Personal Rights Protection Act and the Portrait Rights Protection Act.
