Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo Hosts the Exhibition of "Noh" Japanese Traditional Performing Art

Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo, one of Japan's most prestigious international hotels located in Shinjuku, Tokyo, will host a special exhibition entitled "Enjoying Japan's Traditional Performing Art Noh" from June 1st to 29th, 2017. This is the second consecutive year that the hotel will host a special Noh exhibition in cooperation with the National Noh Theatre. This year's exhibition focuses upon "Hagoromo (Feather Robe)", a famous Noh play based upon the celestial maiden legend, and will display traditional carved wooden Noh masks, intricately woven Noh costumes, and other related artistic props used in Noh performances.

This exhibition, held in cooperation with the National Noh Theatre, also includes paintings by illustrator Haruna Tokimatsu that depict scenes of Noh actors performing on stage and of the audience in attendance. A special performance of "Hagoromo" will be held by prominent Noh performer Yoshimasa Kanze on June 13th followed by a special luncheon. Another unique opportunity to see this classic stage art up close will be during a free Noh demonstration in the Main Lobby, on June 21st at 5:00 p.m. This short demonstration is for both visitors and staying guests. "Noh" (including the theatrical artforms of both Noh and Kyogen) has been performed for over 600 years since its creation in the Muromachi Period, and is the oldest theatrical art performed in the world. In recognition of the highly refined acting and artistic performances of Noh and its influence upon various genre of modern art around the world to this day, Noh was registered as a UNESCO World Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2008.

The Keio Plaza Hotel is pleased to provide its guests, 75% of whom are overseas visitors from 100 different countries, with the opportunity to enjoy the Noh Play "Hagoromo" exhibition as part of our Japanese cultural experience programs.

The Feather Robe One of the most frequently performed Noh dramas is "Hagoromo", or The Feather Robe, which is based on a well-known legend said to have been written more than 12 centuries ago. A fisherman is out walking along the seashore at Miho no Matsubara, in what is now Shizuoka city near Mount Fuji, when he finds a beautiful feather robe hanging on a pine branch.

When the fisherman attempts to take it away with him, a celestial maiden appears and asks him to return the robe to her because she cannot go home to the Palace of the Moon without it. At first the fisherman refuses, but he eventually agrees to give it back if she will perform a heavenly dance. She agrees, and dances for him, praising the beauty of Miho no Matsubara in the spring. Then she returns to heaven, flying beyond the peak of Mount Fuji, in the light of the full moon

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