Tag Archives: mask

Noh Theatre Exhibition at The Museum of Oriental Art, Venice

Noh theatre costumes, masks, musical instruments, and prints are currently on display at the Trame Giapponesi – Japanese Tales exhibition at The Museum of Oriental Art in Venice. The International Noh Institute is one of the patrons of the exhibition and two of its members, Monique Arnaud and Diego Pellecchia, have contributed with essays published in the catalog.

The central section of the exhibition is dedicated to the costumes purchased by Prince Enrico di Borbone Parma during his long journey around the world between 1887 and 1889, now preserved in the museum and never exhibited to the public in their entirety until now. To accompany the costumes, some noh masks from the collection of Renzo Freschi of Milan will also be on display, together with a number of gorgeous drums used by the noh hayashi ensemble.

In addition to these items, photographs of noh performances by Fabio Massimo Fioravanti as well as documentaries on noh theatre are on show. Fioravanti has photographed performances by the Kongo family and Udaka family over a number of years.

The exhibition runs until July 3rd 2022. Don’t miss it!

Capturing the hidden emotions of Japanese Noh masks – article on CNN

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Udaka Michishige was recently featured, along with noh photographer Morita Toshiro, in an article on the CNN website, part of a series called Artisans: Japan. See the full article here.

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Udaka Michishige in the play Nonomiya. The Magojiro mask he is wearing is carved by Michishige himself. Photo by Fabio Massimo Fioravanti

Learn Noh mask carving from a professional Noh actor

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Autumn is finally here! The leaves are turning to beautiful shades of red and gold in the crisp autumn air, and we are getting ready to admire the gorgeous foliage on the hills that surround Kyoto, the ancient capital. In this wonderful and refreshing atmosphere we renew our invitation to visit Udaka Michishige’s Noh mask carving atelier.

Udaka Michishige is unique in being both a Noh actor and a mask carver. Students in his mask carving classes in Kyoto, Nagoya and Tokyo learn to sculpt masks of a high quality that can be used on stage. Every two years a group mask exhibition is held in Kyoto to show the latest results of students efforts. These mask exhibitions include free-standing displays of some masks, performance pictures, costumes and lecture-demonstrations to promote a deeper understanding of the place of the Noh mask in the world of Noh.

Contact us to arrange a visit of Udaka Michishige’s atelier in Kyoto, Nagoya, or Tokyo.

(Poster design by Elaine Czech)

Participants of the February mask carving atelier special opening

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In January and February 2014, Udaka Michishige’s Noh mask carving atelier in Kyoto opened its doors to observers. We received many requests (thanks Kyoto Journal for helping with the promotion!) from professionals, university students, Japanese, non-Japanese, travelers and residents who were curious to come see how Noh masks, mysterious objects of transformation of the Noh actor, are created. Here are a few pictures of the participants of the February 27th session. We are planning to hold more mask-related events this summer, so watch this space for further information!

[Extended] Noh Mask Carving Atelier – Special Opening (February 2014)

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The Noh Diaries

Due to popular demand the Special Opening of Udaka Michishige’s Noh Mask Carving Atelier has been extended. We have received many requests of Japanese and non-Japanese, Kyoto residents and Kyoto visitors who wished to learn about the world of Noh masks from the direct experience of a professional carver and actor such as Udaka Michishige.

Three new dates (February 6th, 20th and 27th) have been added. There are two time slots: afternoon (14:00~17:00) or the evening (18:00~21:00).

This is a great opportunity for those interested in masks and in the mask-making process, as well as in the use of the masks in actual performance: Michishige is the only Noh actor who is also a skilled mask carver, regularly using his own masks on stage. In 2010, Michishige published the photobook The secrets of Noh Masks (Kodansha/Oxford) with photographer Shuichi Yamagata. I have posted more about Michishige’s activities as mask…

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Noh mask carving atelier – special opening

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The Noh Diaries

Udaka Michishige’s Noh mask atelier will open to guest observers on January 9th, 16th and 23rd from 14:00 to 17:00 or from 18:00 to 21:00. This is a great opportunity for those interested in masks and in the mask-making process, as well as in the use of the masks in actual performance: Michishige is the only Noh actor who is also a skilled mask carver, regularly using his own masks on stage. In 2010, Michishige published the photobook The secrets of Noh Masks (Kodansha/Oxford) with photographer Shuichi Yamagata. I have posted more about Michishige’s activities as mask carver here.

If you are in Kyoto don’t miss this chance to be introduced to the world of Noh masks – both Japanese and English speakers are welcome! Observers are admitted FREE OF CHARGE

To reserve a place, or for more information, please feel free to contact me here.

Shintai, for roles…

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1st INI Summer Intensive Course in Vancouver (July 2012)

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The 1st INI Summer Intensive Course in Vancouver was a two-week series of workshops including mask-carving, shimai, and utai conducted by Udaka-sensei and organised/facilitated by INI Canadian representative Lee Stothers on an outdoor Noh stage in North Vancouver. The pictures below document the intensive mask carving session. Elaine Czech, who took the pictures, participated to the workshop and decided to continue the practice of Noh afterwards. She is now one of the junior INI members in Kyoto!