Workshop
July 21, 2025 at Yarai Noh-theater, Shinjuku City, Tokyo
Practical experience course
July – August, 2025 at Shakujii Yoiya Noh-theater, Nerima City, Tokyo
Rehearsal for performance
August 30, 2025 at Shakujii Yoiya Noh-theater, Nerima City, Tokyo
Performance
August 31,2025 at Yarai Noh-theater, Shinjuku City, Tokyo

Hands-on experience event
Kyogen

Number of practical skill sessions per participant (including presentation/rehearsals for presentation)
11 sessions

Principal instructor
Shuichi Nakamura, Ren Naito

Event features
By experiencing both a classical Kyogen, “Shibiri,” and a new Kyogen, “Momotaro,” participants will get a feel for the essence of Kyogen and will also be able to learn methods of Kyogen expression using classical techniques.
The aim of this program is to help children of an age interested in performing in front of people at events like school performances, and even children who feel shy or embarrassed in such situations, to express themselves without hesitation in front of others through the “kata,” the set movements of Kyogen.

Publicity methods for the recruitment of participants (collaboration, cooperation, networking, etc.)
Rehearsal spaces for this program will be located principally in Nerima City, with the presentation taking place at Yarai Noh-theater in Shinjuku City. We will request PR cooperation from both local government offices.
Additionally, in view of the fact that parents of today’s elementary school students get their information principally through social media platforms, we will also focus on Instagram-driven PR.
Furthermore, to encourage grandparents as well to come to the presentation, we will stream video of key parts of the rehearsals so they can see how the children’s skills and confidence develops and grows.

Ways to enable participants to continue with practical skills experience (other than programs covered by this grant) after the end of the event
Shakujii Yoiya Noh-theater, a host venue for this program, holds regular monthly Kyogen rehearsal sessions, so we hope participants will continue with practice after the program is over, and become Kyogen enthusiasts. The monthly rehearsal sessions are attended by a range of people from the under 10s to those in their 90s: it would be nice if this encourages not only program participants but parents who come to see the presentation or even older generations to have a go at learning and practicing Kyogen.