19th Wakamononoh
The Wakamono Noh event is an initiative led and managed by students, based on the concept of "Noh of the youth, by the youth, and for the youth." Celebrating its 19th year, the event is designed with the philosophy of "Noh made easy for first-time viewers," and involves planning, organizing, and promoting events that connect youth with the traditional Japanese theater of Noh. With a special student price of 1,000 yen and preschool children welcome to attend, it seeks to introduce people of various ages to Noh for the first time.
February 4th marks the beginning of spring according to the traditional calendar. To celebrate this, the theme "Enjoying New Experiences in Spring with Noh" has been chosen for this year's Wakamono Noh event. Since the day before, February 3rd, is the traditional Japanese festival of Setsubun, a Kyogen performance titled Setsubun will also be held. Why not take this opportunity to make your debut into the world of Noh, while welcoming the new season?
At Wakamono Noh, simultaneous English commentary using the LINE app is provided to ensure that international guests can fully enjoy the performances. These explanations, prepared by current students, aim to help first-time viewers appreciate the depth and worldview of Noh. They include more than just the synopsis and character introductions and aim to offer new insights to the audience. During the event, you will not see only Noh actors performing on stage. Student members will also make their appearance before and after performances and during intermissions, to share the charm of Noh from a unique student perspective.
Targeting Noh newcomers and featuring English commentary, this event makes an ideal first step for international guests to encounter the Japanese traditional culture.
Main works
Funabenkei (Benkei in a Boat)
Minamoto no Yoshitsune, after fulfilling the Genji clan's long-sought goal of defeating the Taira clan, finds himself in conflict with his brother, Yoritomo, and is forced to flee the capital. Accompanied by his loyal retainer Benkei and his beloved concubine Shizuka Gozen, Yoshitsune heads west. Along the way, he parts ways with Shizuka, and this emotional farewell is expressed through dance. Afterwards, Yoshitsune boards a boat headed west, but during a strom he is confronted by the vengeful spirits of the supposedly annihilated Taira clan. Taira no Tomomori's ghost, armed with a naginata, attacks Yoshitsune and his party. Will Yoshitsune manage to escape safely?
The play Funabenkei (Benkei in a Boat) is written by Kanze Kojiro Nobumitsu, the seventh child of Zeami's nephew On'ami. It is notable for its structure where the same actor has to perform two distinct Shite (lead part) roles in the first and second halves. The first half features a graceful and pure Japanese dance that portrays Shizuka Gozen's feelings towards Yoshitsune. In the second half, the audience is treated to a vigorous and intense dance, depicting the ghost of Taira no Tomomori attacking with a naginata.
In addition to Noh and Kyogen performances, a variety of contents, such as the "Pre-show Explanation," "After Talk," "LINE Commentary" and "Contents for Children," has been prepared to suit first-time Noh viewers. The "Pre-show Explanation" involves committee members discussing the program, while sharing key points and interesting facts about Noh and Kyogen, before the show starts. Led by students from a beginner's point of view, this session helps the audience answer any minor queries they might have about Noh. The "LINE Commentary" provides real-time explanations of the performance in both Japanese and English via the LINE app. During the "After Talk" session, held after every performance, student committee members and professional Noh performers share trivia and behind-the-scenes stories about Noh. Don't miss this opportunity to learn about Noh directly from professional actors!
