Japanese Noh Theater Performances Dedicated to the 25th Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Armenia

On September 26, 2016, at 19:00 o’clock in Yerevan State Puppet Theatre Named After Hovhannes Toumanyan and on September 27, at the same time in Komitas Museum-Institute, took place Japanese Noh Theater Performances dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Armenia. The performances were organized in Armenia due to the Embassy of Japan to the Republic of Armenia.

“High Fest” International Theater Festival and Japan Tobacco Inc (JT) also had its contribution in the organization of the performances. It was adapted for the Armenian audience and was shortened up to an hour and a half, by presenting 7 performances, though in fact it lasts 6 hours and 20 performances should be presented.

At the beginning of the performance, Masayuki Fuji delivered a lecture on “What is Noh”. Then there were presented Shirmai, a piece from Noh dances “Funa benkei” (“Benkei in Boat”), Tsuchigumo (“Ground Spider”). After that, there were Noh musical instruments.       Then, for the first time in world, they presented “Hanjyo” (“The Daughter of Hanshi”) Noh performance mixed with flamenco, after which there was “Yamashima” Noh performance. Then there was narrative singing with Biwa, by the accompaniment of the Japanese musical instrument. After it, there was a demonstration on how to wear Noh clothes. And at the end there was “Tamakazura”(“The Jeweled Chaplet”) Noh performance. The performance was ended with the Noh festive singing, which is called Tsukkeshuge.

During the whole performance, Ruzan Khojikyan, standing at the edge of the stage, fluently translated from Japanese into Armenian. The hall was full of audience: many of them, as all the seats were already occupied, were sitting on the floor or were watching the performance simply standing on foot.

Author: H. Muradyan

translated from Armenian into English by M.Vardanyan