Yukio Mishima immersed himself in Japan’s traditional arts and, notably, traditional noh theatre, enchanted by its noble elegance and refined beauty. His love for noh resulted in a series of esteemed dramatic works, Modern Noh Plays, growing to encompass eight contemporary adaptations of noh stories. Now, the distinguished Hosho Noh School, originating in the early 15th century and led by 20th Grand Master Kazufusa Hosho, brings this elegant art form to the U.S. in the company’s historic North American debut. In accordance with centuries-old tradition, each evening features a rotating offering of the authentic classic repertoire of noh alongside comedic kyogen theater (performed by the prominent Yamamoto Tojiro Family). Each play selected for this program served as a source of inspiration for Mishima to adapt as modern stories centuries later.
Mishima’s Muse – Noh Theater features the momentous U.S. debut of the distinguished Hosho Noh School performing a set of plays which Mishima later adapted, including the original Aya no Tsuzumi and the original kyogen (comedic) play, Busu, adapted by Mishima into a modern English comedy.
PROGRAM:
December 4: Noh Music: Shishi (Lion Dance) / Kyogen: Busu (Poison) / Noh: Aoi no Ue (Lady Aoi)
December 5: Noh Shimai (unmasked excerpt): Kantan / Kyogen: Busu (Poison) / Noh: Aya no Tsuzumi (The Silk Drum)
December 6: Noh Shimai (unmasked excerpt): Yoroboshi / Kyogen: Busu (Poison) / Noh: Aoi no Ue (Lady Aoi)
