Top artists will give lecture-performances in two genres of classical Japanese performing art -- court music and dancing, and shomyo chants -- on Nov. 30 and Dec. 12 at 6:30 p.m. at The Yomiuri Shimbun building in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo.
Featured on Nov. 30 will be bugaku court music accompanied by dancing, as well as gagaku, a similar type of music without dancing. Musicians of the Tennoji Gakuso troupe based in Shitennoji temple in Osaka will perform elegant gagaku music, followed by a bugaku demonstration and a performance of "Manzairaku." Shinryu Ono, a top member of the troupe, will provide explanations in Japanese and English.
On Dec. 12, Buntai Saikawa will perform the Tendai shomyo chant, a musical form of sutra reading. Saikawa, a leading performer in the genre, will also invite the audience to chant with him. He has given dozens of concerts overseas since 1989, sometimes with the Schola Gregoriana Pragensis choir of the Czech Republic. For ticket information, call (03) 3392-8891.
Noh, kyogen, rakugo in Osaka
Noh drama, kyogen comedy and rakugo comic storytelling will be staged with an English-speaking guide at Yamamoto Noh Theater in Chuo Ward, Osaka, on Nov. 17 at 6 p.m.
Titled "Evening of Traditional Osaka Performing Arts," the event will feature noh piece "Hagoromo" (Feather robe) starring Yamamoto Akihiro and the kyogen piece "Bonsan" (Bonsai thief) starring Zenchiku Takashi, with English subtitles. Katsura Kaishi will perform a rakugo story with his own explanations, both in English.
The event has been held a number of times over the last 12 years to attract new fans. Each time, performances are held in several genres that originated in or are associated with Osaka and its surroundings, with volunteers from the audience invited onstage for a lesson in one of the genres.
Visit http://noh-theater.com for more information.
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