Experience the Traditional Arts
The traditional Japanese performing arts of Noh, Kyogen, Kabuki and Bunraku are recognized by UNESCO as World’s Intangible Cultural Heritage. Their origins can be traced back to the Chinese performing art, which was introduced to Japan during the 6th and 7th centuries.
The Chinese art form intermingled with Japan’s indigenous traditional arts and developed into the performing art known as Sarugaku, which itself was the origin of Noh, a musical drama which presents classical subjects by means of the symbolism of Yugen the subtleties of nature. Kyogen, dialog-based comedies that satirize various social situations of the letter half of the 14th century then developed and in the 17th century, puppetry was combined with Johruri recitation and Shamisen music to evolve into Bunraku. Although the arts share the same origin, Noh, Kyogen and Bunraku have developed differently and their artistry has been heightened through their interaction with Kabuki, another performing art, which developed over many centuries and continue to retain its cultural relevance.
Bunraku originates in Osaka and is an enduring art form that dates back to the Edo period (1603-1868). In this theatrical art, large puppets come to life to the accompaniment of Shamisen, a three-stringed lute, and a droning narration by the Tayu in the form of Johruri, a time-honored art that entails the chanting of dramatic narratives. It was recognized by UNESCO as one of the masterpiece of World Intangible Cultural Heritage in Oct. 2003.
About Bunraku
About Bunraku in the Midwest 2007
Noh is traditional form of Japanese entertainment. It is the oldest dramatic performance in existence, which has been performed since the 14th century. Together with the closely-related Kyogen farce, it evolved from various popular, folk and aristocratic art forms. Although Noh has been slow and stylised for several centuries. Kan'ami and his son Zeami brought Noh to its present-day form during the Muromachi period (1336- 1573) under the patronage of the powerful Ashikaga Shogun clan. It would later influence other dramatic forms such as Kabuki.
Otsuki Noh Theatre
For ticket information for Noh, Kyogen, Kabuki and Bunraku visit the National Theater of Japan website.
Ukiyoe is a genre of Japanese woodblock prints and paintings produced between the 17th and the 20th centuries, featuring motifs of landscapes, tales from history, the theatre and the pleasure quarters. Osaka was known for its production of Kamigata-e which are prints of Kabuki actors of the time. “Kamigata Ukiyoe Museam” specializes in showing this particular form of Ukiyoe.
Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum