Encounter priceless, antique Noh masks in a traditional theater masterclass led by a 4th-generation Noh performer

Details

• Private Experience

• Location: Nakano, Tokyo

• 2 hours

• 6 people max

• Offered in Japanese, with a friendly Deeper Japan guide interpreting in English
  (French/German interpretation may be available upon request)

Endless Expressions, A Single Mask

For Noh performers, wearing a Noh mask is to embody a spirit beyond oneself, casting behind the body to embrace the role – of demon, of god, of child, man, or woman. Imbued in the Noh masks - known as either Noh men or omote in Japanese - is not just awe of the sacred, but also an appreciation of beauty, and as Noh Theater formalized in the 15th century onwards from ritual to performance, the role of the mask shifted from its purely spiritual origins to one capable of expressing the minutiae of human emotional expression. Within each mask’s immutable structure are a range of expressions, often contradictory, that transform based on angle, shadows, and light. There are over 200 different kinds of Noh masks in use, each conveying a different role. Considered priceless family heirlooms, the masks are passed down from generation to generation of performers, and actively used in modern Noh performances. Join a 4th-generation Noh performer in his private residences to encounter his troupe’s expansive collection of Noh masks. Under careful supervision, experience wearing one of these national treasures and walking across the stage, immersing into the spirit of Noh performance.

What you’ll do

Under the careful guidance of a 4th-generation professional Noh performer, encounter a range of representative Noh masks passed down in the family for generations. Immerse into the world of Noh at this private studio & Noh stage, constructed in the master's own residences.

Who can attend

Children must be 11+

Availability

Everyday

Session 1 (10:00 - 12:00)
Session 2 (13:30 - 15:30)
Session 3 (18:00 - 20:00)

Access

40 minutes from Tokyo station ( by train)

Cancellation Policy

Please make your booking at least 7 days in advance. See cancellation policy here.
* A detailed itinerary will be emailed to you once your booking has been confirmed.