Unique Opportunity: Experience Noh & Kyogen in Tokyo
外国人向け多言語字幕付き 狂言「痩松」と能「花月」東京公演の紹介と謡曲物語『花月』の朗読
Performance for the non-Japanese theatre-goers [Discover NOH & KYOGEN]
Saturday, October 26 : 1:00 p.m.
This episode is an introduction to the Tokyo performance of the Kyogen play ‘YASEMATSU’ and the Noh play ‘KAGETSU,’ which includes multilingual subtitles for beginners, as well as a reading of Mankichi Wada’s Noh play Kagetsu.
As a personal introduction from a Noh enthusiast, this is not affiliated with the National Noh Theatre or any related entities.
このエピソードは初心者向け多言語字幕付き、狂言「痩松」と能「花月」東京公演の紹介と、和田万吉の謡曲作品『花月』の朗読です。
一能楽ファンとしての個人的な紹介文で、国立能楽堂とアフィリエイト等の関係はありません。
Hello, everyone, and welcome to Nanpusha. Today’s episode is special, as I’ll be presenting a reading of Mankichi Wada’s Noh play *Kagetsu* in its original Japanese, following a brief English introduction.
Mankichi Wada (1865–1934) was a distinguished scholar of classical Japanese literature and library science. His work in adapting Noh plays, including *Kagetsu*, highlights his deep engagement with Japan’s cultural and literary traditions.
Since 2016, the National Noh Theatre has been offering a program called "Discover NOH & KYOGEN," aimed at introducing international audiences to the world of Noh and Kyogen. This event consists of two parts: first, an expert delivers an English lecture on the history and unique style of Noh and Kyogen. Afterward, the Kyogen play "YASEMATSU" and the Noh play "KAGETSU" are performed.
Attending a Noh performance is not just about watching a play; it’s a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich culture and history that underpins this ancient art form.
The National Noh Theatre in Tokyo is the perfect place to experience Noh. Whether you're a long-time fan or new to this traditional art form, I encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity. I’ll definitely be attending, as my Noh teacher, Takao Yamauchi-sensei, will be performing *Kagetsu*!
Now,( let me share a bit about the story of “Kagetsu.”)…
The story of Kagetsu starts in Kyushu, at the base of Mount Hiko, where a man loses his seven-year-old son. Overcome with grief, he becomes a monk and sets out on a journey across various provinces. By spring, he arrives in the capital and visits Kiyomizu Temple.
At the temple gates, the monk meets a man and asks if there’s anything interesting to see. The gatekeeper introduces him to a boy named Kagetsu, who’s known for his entertaining dances. They sing together, and though Kagetsu considers shooting an arrow at a nightingale disturbing the cherry blossoms, he decides against it, respecting the Buddhist teaching on non-violence. Instead, Kagetsu performs a dance about the origins of Kiyomizu Temple.
The core of the story is the touching reunion between the long-separated father and son. Kagetsu, who was kidnapped by a tengu at age seven and has had a life full of adventures, is the star. The real highlight, though, is Kagetsu’s impressive display of his artistic skills.
Despite the heavy theme of separation, the play has a light and vibrant feel. The lively and elegant dances and songs showcase Kagetsu’s charm and wit beautifully.
Reservations open on September 10th.
For more information, please visit the National Noh Theatre website. I’ll include the links on the episode page of my blog.
Before we dive into the story, let me thank you for joining me today.
Now, I’m excited to share with you Wada Mankichi's adaptation of the Noh play *Kagetsu* in Japanese.
Enjoy the reading!
日本語要約
このエピソードでは、和田万吉による能「花月」の朗読を、英語での簡単な紹介の後にお届けします。和田万吉は、古典日本文学の著名な学者であり、能の脚色でも知られています。
2016年から国立能楽堂では、能と狂言を国際的な観客に紹介するための「Discover NOH & KYOGEN」というプログラムを開催しています。10月26日の公演では、専門家による歴史やスタイルに関する講義と、狂言「痩松」および能「花月」の公演が行われます。
すべての座席には、日本語、英語、中国語、韓国語、スペイン語、フランス語の字幕モニターが設置されており、プログラムの理解を助けてくれます。
チケットの予約は、9月10日（火）から可能です。チケットの購入方法や詳細は、国立能楽堂の公式ウェブサイトをご覧ください。
「花月」は、父と長く離れ離れになった息子の再会を描いた物語で、生き生きとした舞や歌が物語に華やかさを添えています。私のお能の先生、山内崇生師が「花月」のシテとして出演なさいます。とても楽しみです。
ぜひ皆さんもこの機会に国立能楽堂に足をお運びください。
Links
10月外国人のための能楽鑑賞教室 Discover NOH & KYOGEN 痩松・花月 | Japan Arts Council
(https://www.ntj.jac.go.jp/schedule/nou/2024/10174//?lan=e)
“Discover NOH & KYOGEN” on October 26, 2024 | Japan Arts Council
(https://www.ntj.jac.go.jp/en/news/2023/discovernoh2024/)
PDF download page of the synopsis in Japanese and English
https://www.the-noh.com/download/download.cgi?name=051.pdf
日本語の案内ページ
10月外国人のための能楽鑑賞教室 Discover NOH & KYOGEN 痩松・花月 | 独立行政法人 日本芸術文化振興会
(https://www.ntj.jac.go.jp/schedule/nou/2024/10174/)