Kanze No Gakudo

Japan is seeped in a rich cultural heritage, as is evident in its art forms. The country has a number of traditional plays and dances, of which No or Nogaku has remained as a popular genre and a major feat of Japanese performing arts. The form had its origins in the 14th century and with the patronage of the Ashikaga clan, scaled to its present fame. The plays are elegant in their poise and the music often attains a poetic grace. Noh are usually interwoven with Kyogen, or farcical interludes to heighten the mood. With magnificent costumes, masks, stage props and a vibrant spirit, Noh had cast a significant influence on the other theater forms like Kabuki or Butoh. Chant or music is an integral part of the plays, and the performers recite long repetitive passages to narrate their tales. The stories mainly derived their contents from medieval tales of the Taira clan, or from other Japanese classics of the Nara and Heian period. Certain archetypal themes like gods, warriors, or supernatural beings are recurrent in the plays. The traditional Noh plays are categorized into fiver major groups, namely, Komparu, Kanze, Hosho, Kongo and Kita.

Kanze is a distinct strand of No. The school evolved in the 14th century in the hands of Kan'ami, the founder of the Yuzaki-za or Yuzaki troupe. With the guidance of his son Zeami Motokiyo, the form reached its perfection and remains today as a brilliant piece of Japanese art form. Kanze is marked from the other forms of Noh in its emphasis on beauty and grace. With sublime pieces of music, and elegant dance postures, and vibrant costumes, Kanze-ryu is still a pleasure to watch.

The ancient dance form survives with all its grace in Japan, and today, there are various troupes performing the various schools of Noh. Tokyo itself stages regular Noh performances, and the troupes are also many. Kanze No-gakudo is one of the most celebrated Kanze troupes of Tokyo. The troupe stages its performances in Sh?t?, and is definitely one of the key attractions of the city.

Contact address of Kanze No-Gakudo: 1-16-4 Sh?t?
Telephone: 03 3469 6241

For the past six hundred years, Kanze has continued to be one of the most popular art forms of Japan. And as the school has preserved its tradition, a performance is indeed an authentic slice of the country's cultural legacy.

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