The 18th Tokyo Dai Takigi Noh (2)

 Prior to the programs, Manjiro Tatsumi, a Hosho School shite-kata (lead actor) and a designated Important Intangible Cultural Property, told the audience how to best enjoy noh and what each performance was about. He said, “Noh is the aesthetics of subtraction,” meaning that the simplicity in noh’s stage sets and props as well as noh actors’ movements and dialogues is a result of pursuing minimalistic beauty. He said, “The audience is expected to add their own imagination to what they see on the stage,” emphasizing that it is the power of the audience that makes a small and empty stage of noh an infinite space.

He added that “For over a thousand years, noh theater has been consistently expressing a prayer for peace.”

Tatsumi’s explanation about the programs helped the audience understand the stories even though the actors speak in ancient Japanese.

                                              Dr.Haruhisa Handa performs at the 18th Dai 

                                                  Takigi Noh(Noh by Firelight) in Sep.2018. 

                                                  He could not perform at this year's event due to

                                                   an injury.

                                                   @TTJ TACHIBANA PUBLISHING