Kyogen and Noh Developed TogetherWe talked to Mansaku Nomura, Izumi-ryu Kyogen performer. His father is a certified holder of Important Intangible Cultural Asset, Manzo Nomura the 6th. He stood on stage for the very first time when he was 3, and was named the 2nd Mansaku when he was 19. He has undergone strict training, allowing no compromise. In 1990, he was presented with a Medal with Purple Ribbon, and in 2007, he was designated a certified holder of Important Intangible Cultural Asset just like his father. Mansaku Nomura lives in the world of Nohgaku. Nohgaku is a combination of Noh and Kyogen, however during the Edo period, it was referred to as ”Sarugaku”. The audience sits surrounding the protruding stage, and enjoy Noh and Kyogen programs in turn: the subtle and profound style of Noh, and the ”comical” Kyogen. Kyogen is said to ”comically express human nature” and is an art that lays importance on expressing human behavior in an entertaining way with movement and dialogue. ”Noh and Kyogen have to do with opposing themes, but they developed together. There are Kyogen programs that are quite serious,” we were told. |
The Souls that were Conveyed in Performances AbroadMansaku told us about an interesting experience he had during a performance in the U.S. The program was ”Tsukimi Zatou”. A blind man encounters a youth, and they enjoy a moment together drinking ”sake” and dancing under the moonlight, seeming to have developed a mutual understanding. However, an instant later, the youth undergoes a complete change and starts to bully the blind man, leaving a bad aftertaste. |
An Form of Art that Entertains”The Japanese are said to be expressionless and do not laugh out loud very often, even in movie theaters. Kyogen is an art of laughter, but is it appropriate to laugh out loud?” Nakata asked about something that had been bothering him. |
Experiencing KyogenNakata learns the basic styles from Mansaku Nomura. Nakata’s first impression was the beauty of the posture. He commented, ”I think it would be ideal if you teach this in elementary schools.” ”That is true. The words too. Kyogen could be used to teach correct Japanese,” Mansaku Nomura said. |
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