<Rediscover the charm of Japan! ＞Let's go see traditional performing arts (Part 2)

Click here for the first part → <Rediscover the charm of Japan! ＞Let's go see traditional performing arts (Part 1)
 

Recommended traditional performing arts for autumn 3

[9/24] The stage of Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse is lit up in a fantastic way!
A completely new “modern Noh stage”, “Red Brick Firewood Noh”
 

A mysterious world with the night view of Yokohama Port and the illuminations in the background

Yokohama Noh Theater will perform Red Brick Firewood Noh this fall under the title ``Outside Arts Festival 2016''. This is an unprecedented attempt to create a special stage in the event plaza of the Red Brick Warehouse, a tourist spot in Yokohama, to enjoy Noh.
 

Noriaki Umewaka, a talented member of the Kanze school, danced the Noh play ``Funa Benkei'', Akira Yamaguchi, a painter known as the ``Heisei Yamato painter'', painted the ``Kagamiita'' that is indispensable for the Noh stage, and the space was created by a world-renowned lighting designer. The light of Risa Akari Ishii envelops you in a fantastical way. It's a stage that makes my heart dance with excitement just by imagining it!

“Funa Benkei: Chūjigo no Kae” (Kanze School) Noriaki Umewaka

A stage with a synopsis and rare seats that even beginners can enjoy
 

Kyogen “Mosquito Sumo” (Okura School)

The program is
Noh ``Funabenkei Chūjigo no Kae'' (Kanze School) Noriaki Umewaka
Kyogen “Mosquito Sumo” (Okura School) Norishige Yamamoto
 

Both songs can be enjoyed even by beginners of Noh, but this time, the synopsis will be prepared in Japanese and English, and will be distributed so that it can be viewed on a tablet or smartphone. People who are not normally familiar with Noh can probably enjoy it even if they just visit without any prior knowledge. In addition, there is a wide range of pricing, making it affordable even for those who just want to take a look. (Furthermore, the non-reserved seating is said to be a rare seat that allows you to see the Noh stage from an angle that cannot be seen on a regular Noh stage!)

I went to the production presentation!
 

At the production presentation held the other day, Noriaki Umewaka, Lisa Akari Ishii, and Akira Yamaguchi attended. Masayuki Nakamura, general producer and director of Yokohama Noh Theater, explained the outline and passionately said, ``We want to create a world completely different from traditional Noh performances!''
 
Although their genres are different: Noh, lighting, and art, they are top runners representing each field. The comments were full of individuality and greatly excited expectations for the performance.
 

Yokohama Noh Theater will be celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, but this will be the first Noh stage to be held at the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse. On an autumn night, a Noh performance dances illuminated by the night view of Yokohama Port and the beautiful moonlight. Furthermore, when you imagine the pine tree depicted in the Heisei Yamato paintings floating in the background surrounded by artistic lighting, you can't help but feel the beauty and depth of Japanese culture. Let's start praying now that we will be blessed with a wonderful moonlit night and a pleasant night breeze!
 

I went to see the public production of Akira Yamaguchi's ``Kagami-zaka''!
 

Prior to the ``Red Brick Takigi Noh'' performance, artist Akira Yamaguchi held a public production of kagamiita on August 26th. Because of the location in Queen's Square near Minato Mirai Station, people passing by while shopping or commuting stopped to admire the pine painting that was being completed.
 

For Red Brick Takigaki Noh, a transparent panel was used for the mirror panel so as not to lose the depth characteristic of the location and to allow the Bay Bridge and night view to be seen. It was created using oil paint, making use of glossy materials. This is the first attempt in the history of Noh.
Mr. Yamaguchi was working with his brushes almost non-stop, except for breaks in between. During an interview during production, he said the following:
 

“The kagami-pane of a Noh stage is just the background, and the main character is the Noh performer.Following the example of our predecessors, I was conscious of the pine tree that would highlight the dancers so that the stage would expand when people stood in front of it. I would like to come up with a new idea of my own.
Because the material is transparent, the real space is reflected behind the pine tree. It would be great if we could create a pseudo-space that appears between dreams and reality."
 

Recommended traditional performing arts for autumn 4

[10/9] Annual performance in Yokohama!
“Ningyo Joruri,” a trinity of composite art and a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage
 

Fall in love with the subtle movements that even express your emotions
 

Tatsuhiki on the riverbank recently (Photo: Shinji Aoki)

"Ningyo Joruri/Bunraku" is held every October at the Kanagawa Prefectural Youth Center, which is located on a small hill with a clear view of Yokohama Landmark Tower.

This is a rare opportunity to see a performance of Bunraku, which originated in Osaka, in Kanagawa Prefecture, and is a highly popular performance every year.

Many people may have heard of ``Ningyo Joruri/Bunraku,'' but not many people have actually seen it. Tayu's narration, shamisen sound, and puppets. It is a complex art in which these three elements come together on stage to create a complex drama, and is a representative traditional performing art of Japan that is registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Three puppeteers operate one puppet. One of the highlights is the delicate movements that express emotions, which are unique in the world, and have captured the hearts of many fans who say, ``It's just like a real person!''

With subtitles that are safe even for beginners! You can concentrate on the world of the stage
 

Sister Seyama Women's Garden (Photographer: Shinji Aoki)

The performances at this youth center are very popular, with the performers explaining the plot and subtitles that are easy to understand even for beginners.

People who watched it last time said, ``The subtitles were very easy to read.I was able to grasp the flow of the story from the explanation at the beginning, so it was good.'' ``Since it was my first time, I was worried that I wouldn't be able to understand the content, but the details of the story...'' I was moved by the expressions and movements of the puppets.'' ``Perhaps because it was a small hall, the sound and the stage were close, which was great. I hope you'll come again next year. Thank you very much.''

This is what we are hearing. It looks like it will be a stage show that both first-time viewers and bunraku fans can enjoy.

On the day of the event, different programs will be performed in the daytime and evening sessions.

Apparently there are only a few tickets left for the daytime session, but there are still seats left for the evening session. The evening drama, ``These Days on the Riverside,'' is a tragic yet somehow humorous story of humanity that intersects with humor and melancholy. Why not stop by on an autumn night to experience the world created by puppets?