Special Exhibition: Japanese People and Nature – Noh and Japanese Art
Japanese people have always perceived the sacred in the rich, sometimes harsh, nature that changes with the seasons. The concept of Somoku Kokudo Shikkai Jobutsu (The spirit of Buddha in all things), which is a fusion of the ancient Japanese view of nature and Buddhism, has long been a part of Noh theatre; many Noh and Kyogen costumes and musical instruments have designs inspired by nature. In the robes and accessories used on the Noh stage, we can also see the influence of the paintings and crafts that decorated the palaces of shoguns and feudal lords that were patrons of Noh. Some of those artworks, in turn, incorporated themes and motifs taken from Noh plays, showing a self-perpetuating cycle of inspiration between Noh and classical Japanese art. The exhibition will revolve around the themes of Shunkashuto (Four seasons), Somokujobutsu (The spirit of Buddha in all things), and Kachofugetsu (The beauty of nature), which are related to the monthly performances at the National Noh Theatre. The display will be accompanied by pieces of Noh music that best express these themes and will feature superb works of Japanese art created in this context.
