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Kyoto offers innumerable options to a traveler. Not only in terms of peace and
tranquility, found in Buddhist temples and Zen parks and gardens; nor Kyoto is
all about geisha dances and authentic cuisines; this city is home to a unique
genre of theatre-known as the No theater. Though the performances are rare these
days, Kanze Kaikan No theater in Kyoto is famous for the high quality No plays.
The Kanze Kaikan No theater in Kyoto is famous for hosting No shows.
Located on the south of Heian- jingo, Kanze Kaikan is one of just 2 No theaters
in Kyoto. Chorus is the major source of communication in the No plays.
Accompanied by traditional Japanese music, chorus singers let the audience
know about the train of thought that the actors are having in course of the
play. This theater boasts of one of the finest group of chorus singers. Kanze
Kaikan theater’s roof is supported by four columns. This is however characteristic
of this type of theaters. In fact the openness enables the audience to see each
of the chorus singers vividly. Depending on the seat arrangement, the price
of tickets range between 2500 Yen and 4000 Yen. The front row sit is the most
expensive, but ideal for enjoying this type of play to the fullest. The performance
may seem very monotonous at first but hold on to your patience and you will
have a rewarding experience. Rarely though and on some very special occasions
the performances are given free of cost.
Performed outside the confines of a building, No plays are unique to Kyoto.
This theatrical form, unlike the Kabuki theatrical genre, is not so well known
outside Japan. Often described as stately, this genre of theatre is so complex
that even the natives of Japan find it very hard to comprehend. No theater was
born in Japan in the 14th century. The actors wear masks. In this respect the
No theatrical genre may seem like a variant of mime art. However the distinguishing
factor is that, unlike mime theatrical art where facial expressions and body
movements communicate the theme to the viewers, in a No theatrical performance,
8 persons sit around the stage and narrates the story. The chorus also takes
an audience into the psychological domain of a character by letting the audience
know what he is thinking. The performance is accompanied by traditional Japanese
music.
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