March 24 - 26: Kashu-juku Noh Theater Comes to New York

JAPAN SOCIETY PROUDLY PRESENTS

KASHU-JUKU NOH THEATER

IN CONJUCTION WITH CARNEGIE HALL’S “JapanNYC” FESTIVAL

New York, NY, March 1, 2011 – Japan Society proudly announces a much-anticipated event in its current Performing Arts Season: the New York debut of Kyoto-based Kashu-juku Noh Theater as part of its 2011 North American Tour.  Kashu-juku Noh Theater offers audiences a rare opportunity to experience the 600-year-old tradition of noh and kyogen performed in one exceptional evening.  Presented in conjunction with Carnegie Hall’s JapanNYC Festival, performances are Thursday, March 24 / Friday, March 25 / Saturday, March 26 at 7:30 PM at Japan Society (333 East 47th Street). 

Katayama Shingo performs in Kashu-juku Noh Theater

Encounter a renowned art form preserved since the 14th century.  Kashu-juku Noh Theater, founded and led by Katayama Shingo of the prestigious Katayama noh family, is joined by kyogen actors from the prominent Kyoto-based Shigeyama family, giving American audiences the rare opportunity to see noh and kyogen (collectively designated “Masterpieces of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity” by UNESCO) performed back-to-back within the same program.

Performed in Japanese with English subtitles along with live music, the program is comprised of:

·       MAI-BAYASHI: Literally translated as "dance & music," a mai-bayashi is a form of noh theater in which a principal character appears and performs a solo dance without a mask or costume and is accompanied by a group of chanters and musicians.  A furious dance depicting the climactic battle scene from the famous noh play Yashima will be presented. 

·       KYOGEN: Boshibari (Tied to a Pole) is one of the most popular plays in the kyogen repertoire.  Two servants are tied up by their master in a cunning scheme to keep them from drinking his sake while he is away.  They soon thirst for his wine.  How will the two obtain their beloved beverage again?

·       NOH: Aoi no Ue (Lady Aoi).  One of the most famous noh plays, Lady Aoi is an adaptation of a chapter from the classic Japanese novel, The Tale of Genji.  The story follows Lady Rokujo (the jealous former-mistress of Genji), who sent an evil spirit to possess Genji's wife Lady Aoi, as she is confronted in combat by a Buddhist monk intent on saving her soul.