New Year's Kabuki Performance, The World of Mansaku & Mansai

Feb.5.2022 / Start2:00pm Open1:15pm

There will be a Kyogen lecture before the show! 11:00am / Door opens at 10:30am Artist：Hiroharu Fukada, Shuichi Nakamura

Saitama Hall / Large Hall

Commentary, Kyogen『Kagyu』, Katari『Nasu-no-Yoichi』, Kyogen『Shuron』

Mansaku Nomura, Mansai Nomura, Yukio Ishida, Hiroharu Fukata, Haruo Tsukizaki, Yuuki Takeyama, Shuichi Nakamura, Naito Ren

Saitama Arts Foundation

Mansaku Nomura

Born in 1931. Designated as a living national treasure (Important Intangible Cultural Property) and a Person of Cultural Merit. Studied under his grandfather, the late Mansai Nomura the First, and his father, the late Manzo Nomura the Sixth. Graduated from the Faculty of Letters, Waseda University. Leader of “Mansaku no Kai”. The elegant performance, with its light, stylish and precise expression and deep emotion, is the pinnacle of Kyogen. Contributed to the popularization of Kyogen in Japan and abroad. Has been a visiting professor at the University of Hawaii and the University of Washington. He has been working for many years on “Tsuri Kitsune”, a secret piece in which the best of Kyogen techniques are used, and won the Grand Prize at the Art Festival for his performance. Has received many awards including Kinokuniya Theatre Award, Japan Art Academy Award, Matsuo Performing Arts Award, Medal with Purple Ribbon, Tsubouchi Shoyo Award, Asahi Award, Order of the Rising Sun, Chunichi Culture Award, and Japan Society Award. As a Kyogen performer, often tries new challenges such as “Pierrot lunaire”, “Great Meridian”, “Akie”, “Hora-Samurai”, and “Atsushi: Sangatsuki, Meijinden”, laying the foundation for the rise of Kyogen to the present day. In recent years, has been working on a revival of “Narayama Bushiko” with great success. Published “Living Kyogen” (Asahi Press).

Mansai Nomura

Born in 1966. Studied under his grandfather, the late Manzo Nomura VI, and his father, Mansaku Nomura. Designated as an important intangible cultural property. Graduated from Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music. Leader of “Kyogen Gozarunoza”. Participated in many Kyogen and Noh performances in Japan and abroad, contributing to the popularization of the art form. And has also played leading roles in modern dramas, films and TV dramas, and directed a wide range of works using classical techniques, such as the stage productions of “Atsushi: Sangetsuki Meijinden”, “Kuninusubito” and “Great Meridian”. Has demonstrated his extraordinary ability in various fields and has contributed greatly to the recognition of Kyogen. As a Kyogen performer living in the modern age, he questions the state of Kyogen through all his activities. In 1994, moved to the UK under the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ Overseas Study Program for Artists. Received the Art Festival Newcomer’s Award, the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology’s Newcomer’s Award, the Asahi Performing Arts Award, the Kinokuniya Theatre Award, the Mainichi Art Award’s Senda Koreya Award, and the Yomiuri Theatre Award’s Best Work Award. Artistic Director of Setagaya Public Theatre. Director of the Ishikawa Prefectural Music Hall. Guest professor at Tokyo University of the Arts.

Yukio Ishida

Born in 1949. Studied under Mansaku Nomura. Designated as an important intangible cultural property. An important performer in the Nomura family, which already has a number of outstanding stage performances. Already given the first performances of the major works “Sanbaso”, “Tsuri Kitsune” and “Hanako”. Participated in many Kyogen and Noh performances both in Japan and abroad, contributing to spread the art. Awarded the Grand Prize at the Art Festival for the “Sohnokai” which he led, and the Kanze Hisao Memorial Hosei University Noh Award for his individual performance. With his dynamic and precise acting, has a strong presence not only in the classics, but also in new attempts at theatrical performance such as “Kuninusubito”. Also known for his accurate commentary in popular performances.

Hiroharu Fukata

Born in 1967. Studied under Mansaku Nomura. Completed the fourth stage of training for Noh sanyaku at the National Noh Theatre. Member of the Nohgaku Association. Member of “Kyogen Zazanza”, a study group of Mansaku’s family. Already performed “Nasu no Yoichi Story”, “Sanbaso”, “Tsuri Kitsune”, “Kanaoka” and others, and has appeared as one of the performers of “Mansaku no Kai” in Kyogen and Noh performances in Japan and abroad. Teaches Kyogen classes and workshops at Asahi Culture Center and other venues throughout Japan, and is dedicated to the spread of Kyogen. Leader of the “Kyogen Yattona Association” in his hometown, Oita.

Haruo Tsukizaki

Born in 1964. Studied under Mansaku Nomura. Member of the Nohgaku Association. Member of “Kyogen Zazanza”, a study group of Mansaku’s family. One of the performers of “Mansaku no Kai” and has performed “Nasu no Yoichi Story” and “Sanbaso” in Japan and abroad. Also teaches at the Asahi Culture Center and other workshops around the country to promote Kyogen.