“Taiten: Noh & Kyogen”
Japan Society
New York
November 14-16, 2019
by Gay Morris
copyright© 2019 by Gay Morris
Japanese Noh is said to be the oldest living theatrical form, its roots going back to the fourteenth century. It is bound by the minutest of rules, every gesture and step refined to abstraction. Its subject matter, too, was developed centuries ago and deals with an unreal world of warriors, ghosts, madwomen, angels, gods, and priests. Although Noh may be deeply conservative, the performance of “Taiten” last week at the Japan Center shows that it can be more than an archive of the past. The work was originally created to celebrate the 1912 enthronement of the 123rd emperor of Japan. It has now been recreated and brought up to date to celebrate the ascendance of Hirohito, the 126th emperor, whose enthronement is taking place this year with numerous rituals and celebrations.
Photo: The Heavenly Maiden dances in “Taiten,” From left-to-right: Maekawa Mitsunori, Kamei Hirotada, Mikata Shizuka, Narita Tatsushi, Sugi Ichikazu, Hosho Naoya, Hosho Kinya. Photo by Richard Termine.