Tag Archives: shimai

Call for participants – INI Kyoto Summer Intensive 2023

Applications are now closed. Thank you to all the applicants!

The INI – International Noh Institute is now accepting applications for its 2023 Summer Intensive Program

Who can apply?

Anyone interested in studying nō chant and/or dance. There is no age limit, and previous knowledge is not required. The course is taught by English-speaking Japanese instructors.

What will participants learn?

Participants will study nō dance and chant according to the Kongō school tradition, and learn about various aspects of nō performance, including masks and costumes. The training period will culminate with a public recital alongside professional actors on a nō stage located within a gorgeous Kyoto-style traditional townhouse.

How does training work?

Nō classes take place daily, in the morning, or in the early afternoon. Every day you will be coached by one of our instructors, and you will be encouraged to practice independently in preparation for the following class. (A day-to-day calendar will be announced after the selection is complete).

What makes studying with the INI unique? 

The intimate environment in which lessons take place, reflecting the traditional nō training style, allows students to interact directly with the teachers. Lessons comprise both group work and one-to-one coaching.

For this 2023 edition of our Summer Intensive, the INI will collaborate with Discover Noh in Kyoto. Participants will be given the opportunity to explore Kyoto with a professional tour guide, discovering the deep connections between nō and the city.

Program highlights

  • Train intensively in noh dance and chant. 
  • Practice in a small group for an immersive experience.
  • Perform alongside professional actors.
  • Watch noh performances on traditional stages.
  • Visit noh-related historical locations.
  • Experience living in the ancient capital, Kyoto.

Program details

  • Training period : July 10-23, 2023
  • Recital: July 23
  • Fees: Regular ¥80,000 Student ¥60,000 (includes graduate students)
  • Capacity: 6 participants

Fees include : Dance/chant lessons, materials, Kongō school nō fan, participation in the final recital, and a certificate of completion. Fees do not include: White tabi (split-toe socks), transportation, accommodation, and any other personal expenses.

Instructors: Udaka Tatsushige, Udaka Norishige (Kongō school actors), Udaka Keiko (nō mask carver) 

Coordinator: Diego Pellecchia (Kyoto Sangyō University, Certified Kongō school instructor)

How to apply

  • Send an email to ini.kyoto[at]gmail.com attaching the following documents:
  • Your Curriculum Vitae
  • A brief statement of interest (around 300 words)

Application deadline: May, 22nd 2023. Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by May, 29th 2023.

For more information about the program contact us.


Photographs from past events

Kei’un-kai Memorial Performance 17 August 2014

On 17 August 2014 from 9:30am the Kei’un-kai (the group Udaka Michishige’s students, incuding the International Noh Institute) will hold a Memorial Performance at the Kongō Noh Theatre in Kyoto. The performance will begin with two bangai shimai or special feature dance excerpts by masters Taneda Michikazu (Eguchi) and Udaka Michishige (Fujitō), followed by a recitation of an excerpt from the Noh Seigan-ji by Udaka Michishige’s sons, Tatsushige and Norishige. Student performances will begin at 9:50 and will feature a number of shimai, maibayashi and two full Noh plays (from 13:00 Atsumori, Shite: Nagao Atsushi; from 17:00 Funa Benkei, Shite: Higaki Takafumi).

ADMISSION FREE: feel free to come and go quietly. An English synopsis of the program will be available. Download here the full program (Japanese only).

Members of the International Noh Institute will perform the following dances:

Elaine Czech (イレーイン・チェック) shimai: Kochō                          (11:00 group)

Monique Arnaud (モニック・アルノー) maibayashi: Tsurukame      (12:00 group)

Diego Pellecchia (高谷大悟) maibayashi: Tōru                                     (12:00 group)

Rebecca Teele Ogamo (小鴨梨辺華) shimai: Kashiwazaki                  (16:40 group)

Tsuizen Taikai 2014

Noh conference, demonstration and workshop in Italy

Kongo-ryu Shihan Monique Arnaud

Kongo-ryu Shihan Monique Arnaud

Monique Arnaud and Cristina Picelli from the Italian branch of the International Noh Institute will join the Nipponbashi Festival in Treviso, Italy on Saturday 12th July. The event  features an open lecture on Noh theatre by Prof. Bonaventura Ruperti (Ca’ Foscari University – Venice) from 18:00 to 20:00, followed by a chant and dance from 21:30 to 22:30. This is a wonderful opportunity for those in the area to attend an introduction to Noh by Monique Arnaud (IUAV University – Venice), the only licensed Noh instructor currently resident in Europe.

On Sunday 13th from 10:00 to 18:00 visitors of the festival will be able to participate to a Noh theatre workshop. If you are interested in the participating contact nohitalia@gmail.com

Find the full program of the event here (Italian).

Workshop Treviso

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

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!