Category Archives: Events

Photos from the 2016 Kei’un-kai INI Taikai Gala Recital

Fabio Massimo Fioravanti, who has already collaborated with Udaka Michishige on various projects, including the book La Via del Noh – The way of Noh captured these beautiful moment from our last Taikai Gala Recital at the Kongo Noh Theatre on August 21st.

We would like to congratulate all participants – in particular Monica Alcantar, Lisa Swinbanks and Regina Toon, our INI Summer Program graduates! Well done! See you again soon!

Regina Toon – Shōjō

Diego Pellecchia – Kurama Tengu

Kurotake Sadato – Sesshōseki nyotai

Udaka Michishige – Kumasaka

Rebecca Ogamo Teele et al – Hanjo

Hirasawa Yumiko – Hagoromo

Udaka Tatsushige – Tanikō

Udaka Norishige – Ama

Itō Yūki – Tomoe

Tozawa Satomi – Tsunemasa kuse

Yamauchi Kotone – Kokaji kiri

Yamauchi Yūha – Atsumori kuse

Monica Alcantar – Shōjō

Lisa Swinbanks – Yuya kuse

Kei’un-kai INI Gala Recital 2016

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Kei’un-kai INI Gala Recital 2016 Celebrating Udaka Michishige’s 70th birthday

Place: Kongō Noh Theatre

Date: 21 August 2016 Time: from 09:00 until 17:00

Entrance Free of Charge

This year’s Kei’un-kai INI Gala Recital (21 August 2016 from 09:00) celebrates the 70th birthday of our teacher and leader, Kongō School Master-Actor Udaka Michishige. In the Sino-Japanese tradition, the 70th birthday is considered a special event, to be celebrated in style. Its name (古稀 koki), derives from a poem by Chinese literate Tufu (Toho, 杜甫, in Japanese): jinsei nanaju korai mare nari (人生七十古来稀なり), meaning that in those days it was rare to reach the age of seventy.

The event features various performances, including two full plays, Hagoromo and Sesshōseki, nyotai variant; two maibayashi dance and chant excerpts with musical accompaniment, Tomoe and Yamanba; as well as numerous chant and solo dance pieces. See the program below.

This year the INI will be represented by Senior Director Rebecca Teele Ogamo, singing in a rengin excerpt from the noh Hanjo, and Junior Director Diego Pellecchia, performing the shimai solo dance excerpt from the play Kurama Tengu. Pellecchia will also sing in various choruses for other performances. INI Summer Intensive Program 2016 participants Monica Alcantar, Regina Toon, and Lisa Swinbanks will also perform shimai dances.

Monique Arnaud. Maibayashi: Tsurukame

Rebecca Teele. Noh: Nonomiya

Diego Pellecchia. Noh: Kiyotsune

Cristina Picelli Shimai: Kiyotsune – kuse.

Noh: Funa Benkei – Shiranami no den. Shite: Higaki Toshifumi

Elaine Czech

Maibayashi: Toru. Shite: Diego Pellecchia

Kei’un-kai INI Gala Recital 21st August 2016
Kongo Noh Theatre, Kyoto
PROGRAM

09:00
Kami-uta (recitation of the ritual performance Okina)
Su-utai (solo chant of a full play): Shunkan
10:00
Rengin (chant excerpt): Hashi-Benkei
10:25
Shimai (dance excerpt with chant): Oimatsu; Yuya; Shōjō (performed by the INI 2016 Summer Program Participants)
10:40
Shimai: Atsumori (kuse); Kokaji (kiri); Tsurukame; Tsunemasa; Chikubushima; Yuki; Ashikari; Koma no Dan; Makura-jidō.
11:25
Maibayashi (dance excerpt with chant and music): Tomoe (Itō Yūki)
Bangai shimai (performed by professional actors): Tama no dan (Udaka Norishige); Tanikō (Udaka Tatsushige)
12:00
Noh: Hagoromo (Hirasawa Yumiko)
13:20
Maibayashi: Yamamba (Chiba Mariko)
13:50
Rengin: Hanjō

Bangai shimai: Kumasaka (Udaka Michishige)
14:20
Noh: Sesshōseki – Nyotai (Kurochiku Tokindo)
15:50
Shimai: Kurama Tengu; Izutsu; Yorobōshi; Uta-ura (kuse); Himuro; Hanagatami; Kayoi Komachi; Uta-ura (kiri); Aoinoue; Shokun.

Ending time: 17:00

INI Summer Intensive Program 2016

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The INI – International Noh Institute is now accepting applications for its 2016 Summer Intensive Program. Participants will join INI members for a 2-week intensive training period, during which they will study Noh chant and dance at the INI headquarters in Kyoto with master-actor of the Kongō school, Udaka Michishige. During their stay, participants will be able to learn various aspects of noh, including masks and costumes.

Lessons follow the traditional methods of the Kongō school, providing participants with the unique chance of frequenting the okeikoba, private training space of a noh master, for an immersive experience.

Participants are also welcome to join the August 21st Kei’unkai-INI Gala Recital, along with Udaka Michishige’s international and Japanese students, on the prestigious stage of the Kongō Noh Theatre, in Kyoto.

INI SUMMER INTENSIVE PROGRAM 2016

Requirements: Anyone is welcome to join – no previous knowledge of Noh is required. Lessons are delivered in English and/or Japanese.

Capacity: 5 participants

Place: INI Headquarters, Kyoto

Period: August 1 – 14 2016

Fees (in Japanese yen)

Regular	60,000
Student	40,000
Recital at the Kongo Noh theatre (optional)	20,000

Participants are required to purchase separately the necessary personal items for noh practice: tabi white split-toe socks (around 700yen) and a Kongō-style Noh dance fan (5000yen).
Participants are required to arrange for their accommodation.

How to apply: send us an email at ini.kyoto[at]gmail.com Please attach your C.V. and a brief statement of interest.

Read impressions of the INI summer training from participants Sadia Gordon and Dorothee Neff.

Images from past events

Udaka Michishige and Sadia Gordon

Trip to the Kyoto National Museum

Sadia Gordon, Udaka Michishige and Dorothee Neff

Udaka Tatsushige teaching Theater Mitu members

Udaka Michishige, Diego Pellecchia and workshop participants

Udaka Tatshushige shows the Shojo mask

Mask workshop

Shimai: Ochiba. Shite: Ogamo Rebecca

Maibayashi: Tsurukame. Shite: Monique Arnaud

Elaine Czech

Shinonome Noh 2016: Tamura

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INI founder Udaka Michishige is a descendant of the Udaka Clan, serving the Matusdaira feudal lords in Matsuyama, Shikoku as Noh actors from 1712 until the beginning of the Meiji period.

In Matsuyama, Michishige has an okeikoba training space, where INI members also train intensively. Regular performance events in Matsuyama include Shinonome Noh and the Matsuyama Shimin Noh. The Shinonome Noh is an annual Noh and Kyogen event taking place at Shinonome Jinja, a shinto shrine located on the hill dominated by Matsuyama Castle. Michishige has collaborated with Shinonome shrine cataloguing and restoring the vast Noh masks and costumes collection.

This year’s Shinonome Noh performance will take place on April 4th (Monday) from 14:00 (gates open at 13:30), and will feature the Kyogen Fujimatsu and the Noh Tamura. INI member Diego Pellecchia will sing in the chorus (in the program he is listed under his Japanese name, 高谷大悟 Takaya Daigo). Tickets: 2000yen.

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Tamura tells the founding myth of Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto in the early 9th century. Having defeated a rebellion in the East lands thanks to the divine intervention of the Bodhisattva Kannon, General Sakanoue Tamuramaro became a benefactor of the temple. The first half of the play, set at Kiyomizu temple in spring, is characterised by the images of cherry flowers in full bloom. By contrast, the second half describes the battle between Tamura’s army and the rebels, ending with words of praise for Kannon.

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The Second Tatsushige no Kai: Shoki – 20 March 2016

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Following last year’s successful performance of the virtuoso Noh Mochizuki, on March 20th 2016 Udaka Tatsushige is going to stage his second independent Noh event. This year he is going to perform the rare play Shōki. Shōki (in Chinese Zhong Kui), a character known in China and in Japan, is characterised by a massive beard, hence the theme of this event, ‘beards’.

The event is going to feature a very special guest: poet Tanikawa Shuntarō, who will read poems from his repertoire, including Hige (‘Beards’). Other performances in the program are the solo chant with drum accompaniment from the noh Sanemori (Udaka Michishige and Kawamura Sōichirō) and the Kyogen Akutaro (Shigeyama Yoshinobu), all of which are stories about bearded characters.

For more information about the program and to reserve a seat please visit Tatsushige’s site (in English).

Shōki (also romanized as Syouki) is a legendary character who lived in China during the Tang dynasty (618-907). Having failed the legendarily difficult admission exam to become a civil servant, he committed suicide. When Emperor Genso was informed of these facts, he dressed Shōki’s dead body in green court garb, bestowing official rank, and provided for a generous burial service. Before long the spirit of Shōki, now in the underworld, regretted having killed himself, and swore to protect the country. He then became a household deity with a fierce aspect, driving away evil spirits and curing illness. In Japan Shōki can be still seen drawn on paper amulets against smallpox, as a doll given to children when they turn five, or as a guardian figure on the roofs of old houses.

‘Shoki, the demon queller’ by Utagawa Kuniyoshi.

Udaka 2015 Independence Day, and INI Gala Recital 2016

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In the early hours of September 13th 2015 Udaka Michishige continued with putting the finishing touches on the Deigan mask he would use later that day in his performance of Teika, the center piece of the 16th Seirannoh-no-kai at the Kongo Noh Theatre: adding more color, polishing, pausing to check the effect once again. This was the latest effort in the search for the essence of the expression of the Deigan mask, in this case for the essence that would most effectively portrayal his interpretation of the spirit of Princess Shokushi Naishinno. As always the process was continuing until the last possible moment.

His thoughts at this time as he kept on with this search included welcoming the 45th observance of his independence as a Noh actor and also his wishes for INI members. “Independence” can mean embarking on a lonely road and uncompromising battle of seeking the essence of your art. Michishige continues to be his own harshest critic and taskmaster, but he also treasures and finds strength in fellow travellers on the path. He hopes that you, too, as his fellow travellers are keeping to your path of seeking the highest essence in your endeavours.

Michishige also looks forward to sharing in training and performing Noh with as many of you as possible in the Gala Noh Recital at the Kongo Noh Theatre on August 21, 2016. More details will be coming soon, but please put the date down on your calendar and get in touch with us with any questions. As always at INI will do what we can to facilitate your participation.

In closing, the performance of Teika was very well received. Here are a few photos from the performance though they are hardly a substitute for the experience of the performance itself.

Rebecca Teele Ogamo

31st Matsuyama Shimin Noh 2015 – Fujito

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On November 3rd 2015 Udaka Michishige will perform the Noh Fujito. Udaka Tatsushige, his elder son, will perform the maibayashi (chant and dance excerpt with instrumental dance) from the Noh Awaji, while his younger brother Norishige will perform the shimai Kiyotsune.

In Fujito the spirit of the young fisherman who revealed to Sasaki no Moritsuna the shallows at the straits of Fujito so that he is able to take the enemy by surprise, appears and acts out how he was killed by Moritsuna, his body left to sink at the straits to ensure that the secret would not be revealed to anyone else. The Buddhist service Moritsuna offers on his behalf enables the spirit to gain enlightenment.

From 10:00 to 14:30 students of Udaka Michishige will perform dance and chant excerpts. INI members will also participate with the following shimai: Diego Pellecchia (高谷大悟): Kamo, Elaine Czech: Miwa. The performance of KIyotsune, Awaji, and Fujito will begin at 15:00.

31st Matsuyama Shimin-Noh performance

3 November 2015 Matsuyama (Ehime prefecture) Dogo Yamatoya Nohgakudo 10:00 – 17:00

Part I (10:00 – 14:30)
Student recital of chant and dance – free of charge

Part II (15:00 – 17:00)

Shimai: Kiyotsune (kuse). Shite: Udaka Norishige

Maibayashi: Awaji. Shite: Udaka Tatsushige
Noh: Fujito. Shite: Udaka Michishige

Tickets: General Admission ¥5,500 Advance Sale: ¥5,000
Student Admission ¥1,500

For questions and reservations contact us.

KYOTO INI Main Offices, Training Center 111 Satta-cho, Kami-takano, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-0047 Fax: +81 (075) 701-1058 Email: ini.kyoto (at) gmail.com

Lecture/demonstration + photo exhibition in Milan October 14 ~ 17

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CRT Milan, AsiaTeatro and the International Noh Institute have organised a four-day event series in Milan, Italy from October 14th to October 17. The events include lectures on the origins, history and aesthetics of Noh, a photography exhibition Fabio Massimo Fioravanti‘s (running until November 1st), and afternoon demonstrations (15-16-17) by INI member and Kongo school certified instructor Monique Arnaud.

Detailed info on the program, times and prices here (in Italian).

Kongo-school certified instructor Monique Arnaud (Photo: Fabio Massimo Fioravanti)

The 16th Udaka Seiran Noh – Teika and Aoinoue 13 September 2015

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This year’s Udaka Seiran Noh will feature the Noh plays Teika and Aoi-no-ue.

In the Noh Teika, performed by INI founder Udaka Michishige, a Priest is led to a vine-covered grave by a Woman he meets when sheltering from a passing autumn shower. It is the grave of poet Shokushi Naishinno, third daughter of Emperor Go-Shirakawa and the vines are called “Teika-kazura” after the poet Fujiwara no Teika. The story of their romance and lingering attachment unfolds as the Woman reveals that she is the ghost of Shokushi Naishinno. Teika belongs to a group of Noh plays that only very experienced plays are allowed to perform, hence this is going to be a very rare opportunity for those in the Kansai area to come see the play, which is going to be staged with the added special variations sode-kagura and shinto.

Aoinoue, performed by Michishige’s younger son, Norishige, is based on an episode from the Tale of Genji, the 11th century masterpiece by Murasaki Shikibu. The main character is not Lady Aoi, the wife of Prince Genji, but Lady Rokujo, the most intriguing female character in the novel. Once Genji’s lover but now abandoned by him and filled with resentment towards his wife after a humiliating incident at the Kamo Festival where her coach was forced out of its viewing spot by Lady Aoi’s retainers, Lady Rokujō’s living spirit torments her rival. A shamaness is sent to discover the source of the possession of Lady Aoi and then an exorcism is performed by the priest Kohijiri, finally bringing Rokujo to her senses by calling on the power of the Buddhist sutras.

The 16th Udaka Seiran Noh

Kongo Noh Theatre 1:00~5:00 p.m. (doors open at 12:30p.m.)

Noh: Teika Sodekagura rokudo Shite: UDAKA Michsihige

Kyogen: “KAMABARA” Shite: SHIGEYAMA Shime

Intermission

Noh: “AOINOUE” Shite: UDAKA Norishige

Tickets:

Center Reserved Seats 8,000 yen
Side Reserved Seats 6,000 yen
General Admission Mid-center Seats 5,000 yen
Student, General Admission Mid-center Seats 3,000 yen

Synopses of the plays will be available at the theater in English, French, German, and Italian.
The Udaka Office
(For questions or reservations.)
TEL: +81 (075) 701-1055
FAX :+81 (075) 701-1058
In English: Email: ogamo-tr@mbox.kyoto-inet.or.jp

Noh performance workshop in Matsuyama

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The International Noh Institute

国際能楽研究会

Category Archives: Events

Photos from the 2016 Kei’un-kai INI Taikai Gala Recital

Kei’un-kai INI Gala Recital 2016