FROM TRADITION TO MODERNITY

Understanding nohgaku from its establishment 650 years ago to contemporary times

Nohgaku (noh and kyogen) theatre holds a place of profound importance within Japanese culture, deeply embedded in Japan’s rich historical tapestry.

A series of linked activities will take place in the UK from August 2024. This not-for-profit programme, including an exhibition at the Embassy of Japan, seeks to illuminate the vital position that noh holds in Japanese culture and history, offering UK audiences a unique opportunity to engage more deeply with this classical art form.

Aims

• To introduce noh theatre to diverse audiences

• To explore the relationship between classical and contemporary noh theatre

• To increase the public’s understanding of what is noh, and what is noh-inspired

• To understand the impact of traditional arts to the development of intercultural societies through the ages

• To strengthen intercultural relations.

Exhibition at the Embassy of Japan London

From September 2024 at the Embassy of Japan, London. 101-104 Piccadilly, London W1J 7JT. Opening hours: 10:00 am - 5:30 pm (weekdays)

Kitazawa Hideta, traditional master craftsman and mask maker will be available to talk to visitors as the exhibition’s artist-in-residence on the following days:

6, 18 September between 2-4pm.

More information about the exhibition coming soon.

Collaborating Partners for Associated Activities

To accompany the exhibition there is an extensive programme of associated activities organised by a variety of collaborating partner organisations for events scheduled from mid August and throughout September 2024, featuring, from Japan, internationally renowned Japanese professional noh actor Matsui Akira; Japanese traditional Master Craftsman, mask maker Kitazawa Hideta; founding director, teacher and performer of Theatre Nohgaku Richard Emmert; and, from the UK, Jannette Cheong (author/designer), Ashley Thorpe (author/performer) and Laura Sampson (performer).

2024 Education and Outreach Programme

Noh Training Project UK

23-28 Aug: Noh Mask Making Workshop led by Kitazawa Hideta. Venue: Royal Holloway University of London, main campus, Egham, Surrey

25 Aug-6 Sep: Noh Performance Workshop led by Richard Emmert, Matsui Akira. Venue: Royal Holloway University of London, main campus, Egham, Surrey

17-19 Sep: Noh Writers’ Workshop led by Richard Emmert with Ashley Thorpe and Jannette Cheong. Venue: Royal Holloway University of London, Bedford Square, Central London

Limited places available. Further details available at www.nohtrainingprojectuk.org.

Other Bookable Public Events

6 September (1830–2030) – Royal Asiatic Society: Japanese Noh and Kyogen Mask Making demonstration/talk by Kitazawa Hideta with Jannette Cheong.

9 September (1800–1900) – Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation - ‘West Meets East through the World of Noh’ - Jason James interviews Kitazawa Hideta, Matsui Akira and Richard Emmert

10 September (1830–1930): Japan House London: Talk and Demonstration – An Introduction to Noh and Kyogen Masks by Kitazawa Hideta and Richard Emmert

11 September (1830–2030) – Japan House London: Performance Event – Rockaby by Samuel Beckett performed as noh by Matsui Akira and Laura Sampson, and an adaption of classical noh Kazuraki with Matsui Akira, Kitazawa Hideta, Richard Emmert, Ashley Thorpe (taiko drum), Laura Sampson (nohkan-flute)

12 September (1830–2000) – The British Library: The Mask in Noh: Demonstration and discussion with mask maker Kitazawa Hideta and noh actor Matsui Akira

14 September (1400-1600) - University of Cambridge, Elena Hall, West Court, Jesus College, Cambridge, CB5 8BL: Carving a Character: The Hidden Craft of the Noh Mask with Kitazawa Hideta

18 September (1830-2000) – Royal Asiatic Society: The Life and Work of Matsui Akira, Margaret Coldiron interviews noh actor Matsui Akira

20 September – SOAS Japan Research Centre Nohgaku Master Class Day - At the Brunei Gallery with Kitazawa Hideta, Matsui Akira and Richard Emmert

Event 1 (1000–1200): Scholars Symposium - ‘Noh in the Future’ for scholars of noh and other related subjects led by Alan Cummings, Richard Emmert and Ashley Thorpe

Event 2 (1400–1530): Mask making demonstration/discussion led by Kitazawa Hideta

Event 3 (1600–1730): Alan Cummings Interview with Matsui Akira

Event 4 (1830–2030): Performance Event with Matsui Akira, Richard Emmert, Kitazawa Hideta, Ashley Thorpe, Laura Sampson and Jannette Cheong.

23-24 September: Oriental Museum, University of Durham:  Mask making demonstration talk and other activities with Kitazawa Hideta and Jannette Cheong

Book Signings

Kitazawa Hideta will also undertake several book signings throughout this programme.