Osaka Noh Festa 2024

The Kanze school of Noh drama was developed by Kan’ami and Zeami in the Muromachi period (1300s A.D.) and has been passed down through the generations for about 700 years.

Under the leadership of the 26th head of the family, Kanze Kiyokazu, all of Osaka’s Noh theaters will join forces to showcase the appeal of Noh to people in Japan and abroad in preparation for “Expo 2025 Osaka/Kansai”.

The organizers will provide an unprecedented opportunity for foreign visitors and residents to experience Noh in various forms, notably with the “Noh Boat Performance” as a symbol of Osaka’s nickname, “City of Water.”

All the performances will be available in English.

Performances on the Noh Ship

The Tenjin Festival’s Noh ship will be specially moored at the pier for three days, during which Noh and Kyogen performances will be held on the ship’s stage, and workshops will be held to further deepen understanding of Noh drama. This is the first time that a Noh ship is used outside of the Tenjin Festival, and the performances will be held in conjunction with “Autumn Waterfront Osaka Week,” an annual waterfront event in Osaka City.

Workshops will be held for all performances, with Japanese-English bilingual service. Seating will be by reservation only, and the event will be held rain or shine.

Venue: Temmabashi-hachikenyahama Harbor

Admission: ¥5,000 (tax included) per session

Dates:

Saturday, 12 October 2024:

1. 12:30–13:30
2. 14:30–15:30
3. 16:30–17:30

Sunday, 13 October 2024:

1. 13:30–14:30
2. 15:30–16:30
3. 19:00–20:00

Monday (public holiday), 14 October 2024:

1. 12:30–13:30
2. 14:30–15:30
3. 16:30–17:30

Noh Festa in Uemachi

An authentic Noh performance will be held on the Noh stage, a registered Tangible Cultural Property (building). All seats will be provided with an audio guide (Japanese and English).

Seating will be by reservation only, and children under the age of six will not be allowed to enter the venue.

Venue: Ohtsuki Noh Theater

Admission (tax included) per session:

• Premium seat: ¥10,000
• Standard seat: ¥7,000
• Value seat: ¥5,000

Date: Only on Wednesday, 16 October 2024:

1. 11:00: “Okina”
2. 17:00: Kyogen “Kaniyamabushi,” then Noh “Hagoromo”

Noh Festa in Tanimachi

In the luxurious setting of the Yamamoto Noh Theater, a nationally registered cultural property, Noh performances will be held with Japanese and English presenters, commentary, and subtitles. In addition, the organizers will present the appeal of Noh from different perspectives, deepening the understanding of Noh through hands-on experiences and using digital tools such as apps and 3D Noh masks.

Also, the tea room on the second floor will provide a tea ceremony experience to convey Japan’s unique spirit of hospitality.

Venue: Yamamoto Noh Theater

Admission: ¥5,000 (tax included) per session

Dates:

Thursday, 31 October 2024: 19:00–21:00

Saturday, 9 November 2024: 14:00–16:00

Program:

• Explanation of Noh: origins, history, masks, costumes, instruments, etc.
• Noh play “Tsuchigumo” (The Grand Spider)
• Noh experience: masks, costumes, instruments, etc.
• Tea ceremony experience

Noh Festa in Temma Tenjin

This is a rare opportunity to experience Noh, Kyogen, and musical instruments (Noh flute, kotsuzumi (small hourglass-shaped drum), otsuzumi (large hourglass-shaped drum), and taiko drum) under the guidance of professionals. English translation will be provided. You will experience Japanese culture by listening to a performance of koto (Japan’s national instrument), tasting matcha green tea, and savoring a Shokado bento box lunch.

Venue: Choyo Kaikan Noh Stage

Admission: ¥7,200 (tax and lunch included) per session

Dates:

Tuesday, 22 October 2024: 10:30–13:00

Sunday, 24 November 2024: 10:30–13:00

Program:

• On 22 October: “Try Noh Chanting, Dance, and Musical Accompaniment”
• On 24 November: “Try Kyogen and Noh!”

Osaka Noh Festa is:

• Organized by the Association for the Promotion of Nohgaku toward Expo 2025, Osaka, Kansai; Japan Arts Council; and the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan,
• With the assistance of the Ohtsuki Noh Theatre Foundation, Yamamoto Noh Theater Foundation, Choyo Kaikan Co., Ltd., and Noh Play Sponsoring Association,
• Under the auspices of Aqua Metropolis Osaka Consortium, and Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau.