KASHU - JUKU NOH THEATER Debuts at Japan Society, 3/24 - 26

Japan Society proudly announces a much-anticipated event in its current Performing Arts Season: the New York debut of Kyoto-based Kashu-juku Noh Theater as part of its 2011 North American Tour. Kashu-juku Noh Theater offers audiences a rare opportunity to experience the 600-year-old tradition of noh and kyogen performed in one exceptional evening. Presented in conjunction with Carnegie Hall's JapanNYC Festival, performances are Thursday, March 24 / Friday, March 25 / Saturday, March 26 at 7:30 PM at Japan Society (333 East 47th Street).

Encounter a renowned art form preserved since the 14th century. Kashu-juku Noh Theater, founded and led by Katayama Shingo of the prestigious Katayama noh family, is joined by kyogen actors from the prominent Kyoto-based Shigeyama family, giving American audiences the rare opportunity to see noh and kyogen (collectively designated "Masterpieces of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity" by UNESCO) performed back-to-back within the same program.

Performed in Japanese with English subtitles along with live music, the program is comprised of:

· MAI-BAYASHI: Literally translated as "dance & music," a mai-bayashi is a form of noh theater in which a principal character appears and performs a solo dance without a mask or costume and is accompanied by a group of chanters and musicians. A furious dance depicting the climactic battle scene from the famous noh play Yashima will be presented.

· KYOGEN: Boshibari (Tied to a Pole) is one of the most popular plays in the kyogen repertoire. Two servants are tied up by their master in a cunning scheme to keep them from drinking his sake while he is away. They soon thirst for his wine. How will the two obtain their beloved beverage again?

· NOH: Aoi no Ue (Lady Aoi). One of the most famous noh plays, Lady Aoi is an adaptation of a chapter from the classic Japanese novel, The Tale of Genji. The story follows Lady Rokujo (the jealous former-mistress of Genji), who sent an evil spirit to possess Genji's wife Lady Aoi, as she is confronted in combat by a Buddhist monk intent on saving her soul.

GENERAL BACKGROUND

Noh, often compared with Western opera, combines elements of dance, instrumental music, singing and text. The main actor in a noh play usually performs wearing a special mask. Noh masks, costumes and music are handed down from generation to generation, and are frequently over several hundred years old. While noh is musical in nature, kyogen (literally defined as "mad words" or "wild speech") is comic theater that was developed alongside noh theater. In contrast to the expressionless quality of noh characters, kyogen performers utilize exuberant facial expressions for comic effect. While noh focuses on tragic themes and portrays symbolic, magical/historical events through music and dance, kyogen stories derive from mundane subjects depicting daily life through dialogue and mime.

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KASHU-JUKU NOH THEATER
Kyoto-based Kashu-juku Noh Theater, founded in Kyoto in 2000 by celebrated actor Katayama Shingo from the prestigious Katayama noh family, is comprised of leading noh performers. The company name, "Kashu-juku" or "Studio of kashu," comes from the title of a collection of teachings that Ze'ami (father of noh) wrote on the wisdoms of noh. The collection originally entitled Ka-shu, literally meaning "practice of flower/beauty," was later renamed and evolved into a book on noh theory entitled Ka-kyo, which was then passed down to Ze'ami's son, Motomasa. Naming the company after Ze'ami's "work in progress" text is meant to represent Katayama Shingo's belief that the theater artist remains on a continual pursuit of artistic excellency. Kashu-juku Noh Theater actively reaches out to introduce noh to wider audiences throughout Japan and abroad, cultivating new audiences through lectures and workshops as well as performance.

Kashu-juku's first American tour was organized around the Boston area in 2009. During this tour, Kashu-juku gave a performance to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Kyoto-Boston Sister City relationship. They held workshops at the Japanese Language School of Greater Boston and offered lectures to students and faculty at Wellesley College, Connecticut College among others. For the current 2011 North American Tour produced and organized by Japan Society, Katayama Shingo and other highly ranked young performers appear in Portland (OR), Towson (MD), Philadelphia (PA), Urbana-Champaign (IL) and New York City.

KATAYAMA Shingo (Kanze school noh shite/principal actor) was born in 1968 and trained under his father Keijiro and Living National Treasure Katayama Yusetsu. Katayama made his stage debut at the age of three in Tsurukame. He has performed challenging works including Dojoji and Mochizuki among others. In addition to leading Kashu-juku, Katayama also developed and began the idea for "Kashu-juku talk" sessions, in which artists from different fields are invited into dialogue with Katayama. He is involved in numerous projects to widen noh's appeal, including workshops at home in Japan and abroad. Katayama has introduced noh via many avenues, including lectures at Yale University, Georgetown University and others, and performances in Boston as the leader of Kashu-juku noh theatre in 2009. Katayama teaches traditional theater training courses in noh at the Kyoto Art Center and directs the Kyoto University noh club. He received the Culture Award given by Kyoto Prefecture in 2007.

YAMAMOTO Hiromichi (Kanze school noh shite/principal actor). Born in 1961, Yamamoto first studied with his father Yamamoto Masakazu in addition to Umewaka Gensyo. Yamamoto made his first appearance on the professional stage at age five, performing Kurama Tengu, turned professional in 1986. Yamamoto has performed Shakkyo, Shojo Midare, Dojoji, Okina, Mochizuki and Kiyotsune Koi no Netori. He has performed in various locations around the world including Paris, New York, Moscow and Indonesia. Yamamoto was designated Important Intangible Cultural Properties by the Japanese government.

SHIGEYAMA Ippei (Okura school kyogen) was born in 1979, a grandson of Shigeyama Sensaku IV, National Treasure and member of Shigeyama Sengoro Family. At the age of four, Shigeyama Ippei made his stage debut in Narihira-mochi. In 1994, he formed the Hanagata Kyogen Shonen-tai (Star Kyogen Boys Troupe) with Shigeyama Shigeru and Shigeyama Motohiko. In 1995, he began a series of performances in Tokyo, and in the same year, began performing abroad in locations including Spain and Italy. In 2000, Ippei formed Toppa! with Shigeyama Senzaburo, Motohiko, Shigeru and Shigeyama Doji. In addition to kyogen, Ippei has performed in a number of films, TV drama series as well as in contemporary theater and commercials. He has published a book Let's go to kyogen with Shigeyama Motohiko and Shigeyama Ippei. He is a member of The Nohgaku Performers' Association, Kyoto branch.

SHIGEYAMA Doji (Okura school kyogen) was born in 1983, grandson of Shigeyama Sennojo II, the younger brother of Shigeyama Sensaki IV, National Treasure and member of Shigeyama Sengoro Family. At age three, Doji made his Kyogen debut in Iroha. That year, he made his stage debut at with the Noho Theater Company, led by his father. In 1995, Doji joined Hanagata Kyogen Shonen-tai (Star Kyogen Boys Troupe) formed by the Shigeyama family members: Shigeyama Shigeru, Motohiko and Ippei. In 2000, with Shigeyama Senzaburo, Shigeyama Masakuni, Motohiko, Shigeru and Ippei: he became one of the founders of Toppa!. In 2006, along with Masakuni, Motohiko, Shigeru and Ippei, he resumed activity with Hanagata Kyogen Shonen-tai. Shigeyama Doji is also active in producing and directing for contemporary theater. He attended American School in Japan, making him one of the few bilingual kyogen actors.

KASHU-JUKU NOH THEATER: RELATED EVENTS

Pre-Performance Lecture: Lecture with Elizabeth Oyler, Professor of East Asian Languages and Cultures, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign begins one hour before each performance. FREE to all ticketholders. In Japan Society's lobby, enjoy traditional Japanese calligraphy demonstrations, taste sake, and explore the historic city of Kyoto, hometown of the Kashu-juku Noh Theater.

KASHU-JUKU NOH THEATER: WORKSHOP

Noh Workshop: Movement & Musical Instruments
Saturday, March 26, 1:00 - 5:00 PM
Tickets $50/$42 Japan Society members, $10 observer tickets
In conjunction with the presentation of Kashu-juku Noh Theater, delve into the centuries-old practice of noh training. Company members lead exercises in traditional noh movement and introduce the traditional noh instruments ko-tsuzumi (small hand drum) and fue (noh flute). Bring a pair of socks. Max 24 people.

ABOUT JAPAN SOCIETY'S PERFORMING ARTS PROGRAM

Since the inception of the Performing Arts Program in 1953, Japan Society has introduced more than 600 of Japan's finest performing arts to an extensive American audience. Programs range from the traditional arts of noh, kyogen, bunraku and kabuki to cutting-Edge Theater, dance and music. The Program also commissions new works, produces national tours, organizes residency programs for American and Japanese artists and develops and distributes educational programs. "At once diverse and daring, the program stands toe to toe with some of the most comprehensive cultural exchange endeavors today" (Back Stage).

The current Performing Arts Season spotlights a variety of arts disciplines, from Ryoji Ikeda's spellbinding audiovisual concert datamatics [ver. 2.0], to renowned actor Yoshi Oida in Interrogations: Words of the Zen Masters, to a staged reading of the hit Japanese comedy Trance by Shoji Kokami (in English translation, directed by OBIE-winner Ken Rus Schmoll), the annual Winter Contemporary Dance Showcase, acclaimed techno-pop band Hikashu joined by singer/actress/fashion icon Tomoe Shinohara, and darling songstress Akiko Yano in a special talk/concert event. Spring 2011 also serves up the 2nd annual open-house event j-CATION: BEYOND CUTE, which drew thousands to Japan Society in April 2010 for a day of festivities bursting with food, live performances, cultural workshops and more. This year j-CATION is scheduled for April 9.

Founded in 1907, Japan Society has evolved into a world-class, multidisciplinary hub for global leaders, artists, scholars, educators, and English and Japanese-speaking audiences. At the Society, more than 100 events each year feature sophisticated, topically relevant presentations of Japanese art and culture and open, critical dialogue on issues of vital importance to the U.S., Japan and East Asia. An American nonprofit, nonpolitical organization, the Society cultivates a constructive, resonant and dynamic relationship between the people of the U.S. and Japan.

JapanNYC, a citywide festival led by Artistic Director Seiji Ozawa, explores the Japan of today, where newfound artistic sensibilities continue to transform and revitalize the cultural landscape. Featuring great classical music artists as well as Noh theater, manga, film, butoh dance, pop art exhibitions, and a variety of music genres, JapanNYC embraces a breathtaking diversity of traditional and contemporary arts.

Kashu-Juku Noh Theater: Presented in conjunction with Carnegie Hall's JapanNYC Festival
Thursday, March 24 - Saturday, March 26 @ 7:30 PM
Tickets $65/$55 Japan Society members
Special Opening Night Reception tickets including prime seating and reception with cast are $90 ($75 Japan Society members)

Tickets can be purchased by calling the Box Office at (212) 715-1258 or in person at Japan Society (M-F 11:00 AM-6:00 PM and Sat-Sun 11:00 AM-5:00 PM). Japan Society is located at 333 East 47th Street, between First and Second Avenues (accessible by the 4/5/6 at 42nd Street-Grand Central Station or the E and V at Lexington Avenue and 53rd Street).

For more information call (212) 832-1155 or visit www.japansociety.org.