December 2, 2009
The 53rd Kyoto University Noh Play Appreciation Event was held at the Kyoto Kanze Kaikan in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City. This event has been organized annually as an extracurricular educational event along with the Anniversary Commemorative Concert for Kyoto University students and faculty members. This event is intended to act as a catalyst in deepening understanding of and interest in Japan's "traditional performing arts & culture," which ordinary people rarely have the opportunity to experience in their daily lives.
The programs performed this year were the Kyogen play Fumininai (Weighed Down by Love) and the Noh play Toru. While the capacity-filled hall was enveloped in laughter during the comical performances played in the Kyogen program, the entire audience seemed mesmerized by the profound world of traditional performing arts created by elegant dance in the Noh program.
A questionnaire given out that day produced comments such as "It was entertaining to see such performances for the first time in my life"; "I was surprised at the differences between Japanese and Western theatrical performances"; and "It was difficult to understand. Would like to see it again after learning the necessary basic knowledge"; in addition to the request: "Would like more extracurricular educational events of various Japanese 'traditional performing arts & culture' programs, not limited to Noh or Kyogen programs."
 Kyogen play Fumininai |
 Noh play Toru |
 In the venue |
|