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"An Evening of Noh and Kyogen"
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The Japan Foundation Kyoto Office will organize “An Evening of Noh and Kyogen” to provide foreigners such as students and researchers from around the world with an opportunity to experience Japanese traditional culture.
Programme Synopsis
Kyogen: KAMABARA (Unsuccessful Suicide with a Sickle)

Synopsis:
Taro and his Wife are in the heat of a most noisy quarrel. The Arbiter appears
and tries to settle the fight.
………
In the Okura script, the Arbiter talks Taro into going to work as his Wife asked
him to. Taro agrees and starts off to work. On the way, he decides to commit
suicide with his sickle because he is afraid that if his Wife gets angry again,
she will murder him. He tries various suicide methods as in the Izumi script,
but finally decides it is best to go to work and make up with his Wife that evening.
Just as he starts off to work, his Wife rushes on. She has heard he is
trying to commit suicide, and has come to apologize and beg him to change his
mind. He sees her coming, and pretends that he is determined to go through with
the suicide. ………
<From A GUIDE TO KYOGEN by Don Kenny, Hinoki Shoten, 1968>
Noh: YUKI (Snow)

Synopsis:
A priest on his way to the Tenno-ji temple is sheltering from a sudden snowstorm
when a young woman appears. He learns that she is the spirit of snow and,
after asking him to read a sutra for her, she dances and then fades from
sight amid the swirling flakes.
(Translation by Renondeau)
<From A GUIDE TO NŌ 5th ed. by P. G. Oniel, Hinoki Shoten,1954>
Profile

SHIGEYAMA Sengoro ⅩIII -Okura School
Kyogen actor-
Born in 1945. Eldest son of Shigeyama Sensaku IV (Living National Treasure
and member of Japan Art Academy) of the Okura school of Kyogen. Sengoro studied
under his grandfather Sensaku III and father Sensaku IV. He made his stage
debut as a shite actor in 1949 in the play “Iroha.”
Sengoro XIII performed overseas for the first time in 1973 in Europe,
followed by a number of tours in Europe and the United States. He organized
the Hanagata Kyogen Kai association of young Kyogen actors in 1976. He is recipient
of the Kyoto Municipal New Artist Award (1986), the Kyoto Prefectural Culture
Award’s Distinguished Service Prize (2004), and the National Arts Festival
Grand Prize (2008). He is a holder of Important Intangible Cultural Properties
(collective recognition).
In 1990 he was sent by the Japan Foundation to perform in a series
of programs in Southeast Asia. In 1994 he succeeded to the name Shigeyama Sengoro.

KONGO Hisanori -Kongo School Noh actor-
Twenty-sixth head of the Kongo school of Noh. Born in 1951 the eldest son
of Kongo Iwao, 25th head of the Kongo school. He made his stage debut in “Shojo” at
the age of five. He is a graduate of Doshisha University, Faculty of Literature.
Kongo Hisanori is recipient of the Kyoto Municipal New Artist Award
(1984) and the Kyoto Prefectural Culture Award’s New Artist Prize (1986)
and Distinguished Service Prize (2005). In 1991 he was designated a holder of
Important Intangible Cultural Properties (collective recognition). In 1998 he
succeeded as 26th head of the Kongo school.
The major plays he has performedinclude “Dojoji,”“Ataka,”“Tokusa,”“Sotoba
Komachi,” and “Higaki.” He has also toured overseas a number
of times, as head of a troupe performing in North America, Canada, Spain, and
elsewhere.
He is managing director of the Nihon Nogaku-kai, honorary chairman
of the Kongokai, president of the Kongo Nogakudo Foundation, and part-time instructor
at the Kyoto City University of Arts.
| Organizers | The Japan Foundation Kyoto Office, |
| Collaboration | The Kongo Nohgakudo Foundation |
| Endorsement | Kyoto Prefecture,Kyoto City, Kyoto City Tourist Association, |
| Admission Fees | ( All seats are
Unreserved ) : ¥3,500 ( ¥2,000 for students ) |
| Tickets will be available at |
Kongo
Nohgakudo |