Introduction to Noh 101: Pointers for enjoying the performances
June is "Noh Month" in Sado. Various performances take place on the island. We'll show you how to enjoy Noh by highlighting three aspects of these performances. Pick your favorite Noh and let's go!
Highlight No. 1: Use the Earphone Guide service for a deeper and better understanding of Noh theater.
With this year's first performance on May 3rd, a total of six performances will take place until October 12th at Shiizaki Suwa Shrine's Noh stage.
In spring of 2006, the Noh stage of Hamochi/Takidaira area was moved and rebuilt at Kasuga Shrine where the island's first Shinto ritual Noh was performed in 1636.
(Photo courtesy of Sado Bunkazai Kenkyujo)
The Earphone Guide service started this year will assist everyone in enjoying the world of Noh. The service provides commentaries throughout the show that will assist the viewers' understanding of the play. This service is available at Tenryo Sado Ryotsu Takigi Noh on June 7th (Shiizaki Suwa Shrine / Ryotsu Area,) Kusakari Shrine Takigi Noh on June 15th (Hamochi Area,) and Kasuga Shrine Takigi Noh (Aikawa Area.) The Earphone Guide service is also available in English at Tenryo Sado Ryotsu Takigi Noh and Kazuga Shrine Takigi Noh. Live commentaries by Makoto Kodama, a producer at Ishikawa Ongakudo is also scheduled at Tenryo Sado Ryotsu Takigi Noh.
Highlight No. 2: With Onitaiko and Bunya-ningyo on display, you can get the real sense of Sado, the island of traditional performing arts.
Poster for Kanai Noh-gaku-do's "On'natachi-no Kokoromi" performance
Onitaiko, a drum handed down through the generation in Katagami and Agata will be featured at the Takigi Noh at Ushio Shrine on June 12th. "On'natachi-no Kokoromi" (An Experiment by Women) performance at Kanai Nohgaku-do on June 14th will be a two-part performance of Jobanza's Bunya-ningyo play and Noh. At Kusakari Shrine Takigi Noh on June 15, Tsuburosashi, a performance of sacred Shinto music and dance, will be performed as a part of Hamochi Festival. At Kasuga Shrine Takigi Noh on June 22, Aikawa Ondo, a traditional dance song of the area, will be featured.
Onitaiko from the local Katagami area will be featured at Ushio Shrine's Takigi Noh. (Photo courtesy of Sado Bunkazai Kenkyujo)
Highlight No. 3: Lit by candlelight, the main temple building transforms into a solemn Noh stage.
Candlelit Noh will be performed at Shohoji, where Zeami, a Noh performer and writer in the 16th century is said to have stayed. (Photo courtesy of Sado Bunkazai Kenkyujo)
While most of the Takigi Noh is performed on a torch-lit stage, at Shoboji (in Kanai area) the performance on June 28th will take place under candlelight. Using the main temple building as the stage, the performer's will be at the same height as the spectators, providing a unique Noh experience to the audience. Before the candlelit performance, there will be a lecture by producer Makoto Kodama titled "Onono Komachi and the admiral of Fukakusa."