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Noh Trivia

Question109 Why are Tenkawa shrine and Noh closely connected?


Tenkawa shrine in Yoshino, Nara Prefecture, is famous as the scene of a popular mystery novel by Uchida Yasuo and has recently become one of the popular "power spot" spiritual places thought to give people health and more energy. The shrine, which dates from the Asuka period (592-710), is dedicated to Benzaiten (known in Hinduism as Sarasvati, the goddess of fortune and arts). It is closely connected to Noh, having been used for performances since olden times, to ward off evil spirits and worship ancestor spirits. The fine items owned by the shrine include a mask of Akobujō (old man) that was allegedly used by Zeami and a gorgeous brocade kimono dedicated by Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

Zeami's son, Jurō Motomasa, took part in some pieces there for dedication to the goddess of performing arts and also offered prayers. The author of a number of masterpieces, including "Sumida-gawa" and "Yoroboshi," he was also a master performer who compared favourably with his father. Nevertheless, he was barred from places involved with showy activities after the then-shogun Ashikaga Yoshinori shifted his favour to Motomasa's cousin and Zeami's nephew, Onami. In the face of adversity, Motomasa devoted himself to further practice. He performed "Tōsen" for dedication to Tenkawa shrine and offered a mask (one of an old man), hoping to extricate himself from his situation. The wish did not come true, however, and he died suddenly at the age of 30. The cause of his death remains a mystery, but some say he was involved in a political confrontation between the Northern and the Southern Imperial Courts.

(March. 24, 2012)

illustration : Hiroko Sakaki
Question 150 What is karagoto?
Question 149 Was there a Noh stage in Edo Castle?
Question 146 What kind of plays are suitable for old actors?
Question 145 What is “kaburimono”?
Question 143 A Noh version of the Ninth Symphony?
Question 142 Which pieces are recommended for beginners?
Question 141 Are there two spaces on the Noh stage?
Question 140 Which performing arts has Noh influenced?
Question 139 Were there Noh actors who worked as warriors?
Question 137 Why is the back panel called kagami-ita?
Question 133 What is the Sagi School of kyōgen?
Question 132 What role does the fan play in Noh performance?
Question 131 Does the bell in "Dōjōji" really exist?
Question 129 Is it true the cypress stage floor is alive?
Question 127 What are the origins of the designs of kendai?
Question 126 How are costumes used for many years cared for?
Question 125 How do tsure and waki actors choose their costumes?
Question 124 What are the design rules for Noh fans?
Question 123 Was Natsume Soseki a Noh lover?
Question 122 Which kyōgen piece is based on a French conte?
Question 119 Was Ii Naosuke a Noh/Kyogen playwright?
Question 115 Which opera is based on “Sumidagawa”?
Question 114 What was the origin of kogaki?
Question 111 Which Japanese films show the influence of Noh?
Question 109 Why are Tenkawa shrine and Noh closely connected?
Question 107 Do the costumes vary with the pieces being performed?
Question 106 Does the term "shibai" come from Noh?
Question 105 Which Noh play was imported from a foreign country?
Question 104 What new pieces were performed by Hideyoshi?
Question 103 Which military commander was a drum virtuoso?
Question 101 Did Zeami finally manage to return to Kyoto?
Question 99 What are some benefits of Noh vocalization?
Question 98 Why is “Hagoromo” so popular?
Question 97 Japanese people didn’t used to have back pain?
Question 96 What was the young Benkei like?
Question 95 What is Kanjin-no?
Question 93 When did overseas Noh performances begin?
Question 92 Why are there many Noh stages on Sado Island?
Question 90 Does the Noh stage have a flat surface?
Question 88 Are Noh performers all-rounders?
Question 87 Are there any solo performances by Noh musicians?
Question 86 Why go to su-utai?
Question 85 Is nakairi an interval?
Question 84 What special way is the small tabor played in Dojoji
Question 83 What is Waki-dome?
Question 82 How are spider's webs and threads used in Tsuchigumo?
Question 81 What is Rōsoku-noh?
Question 80 What kind of place is the setting for Utou?
Question 79 Is an ad lib a result of the performance?
Question 76 What is the voice from behind the curtain?
Question 75 How many plays are performed?
Question 73 Why do musicians call out?
Question 72 What are the basic sounds of the small tabor?
Question 71 Is a drum always involved in the music?
Question 69 How many times does the call bell ring?
Question 68 What is the basic tone in Noh music?
Question 66 Who is watched at the beginning of the performance?
Question 65 What kind of characters appear in Noh?
Question 63 Are koutai a way to understand Noh more quickly?
Question 61 Are Noh performances always the same?
Question 60 What is the purpose of kizahashi?
Question 59 What is meant by iroiri when discussing Noh costumes?
Question 58 Is there a Nohgaku museum?
Question 57 How do you pronounce syllables in the g series?
Question 56 Is the distance of the bridgeway fixed?
Question 54 Who is in charge of dressing the leading actors?
Question 51 Who is the "overseer" of the stage?
Question 49 Why do kotsuzumi players lick their finger on stage?
Question 47 What kinds of props are used for Noh plays?
Question 44 Can Noh actors wear glasses on stage?
Question 42 Why do supporting actors not wear masks?
Question 38 Was Toyotomi Hideyoshi a great Noh actor?
Question 37 How many times do performers rehearse a piece?
Question 36 What do the pillars around the Noh stage signify?
Question 35 Is there any special technique in making female masks?
Question 34 How do you operate the entrance curtain?
Question 33 Do Zeami’s manuscripts exist today?
Question 29 Is Takigi-noh performed even if it rains?
Question 28 What is Hakama-noh?
Question 27 What kind of hair is used on noh masks?
Question 26 Which play has the most actors?
Question 25 Can a woman become a Noh performer?
Question 23 Do actors ever fall from the stage?
Question 22 How heavy is a Noh costume?
Question 21 Which Noh stages are designated as national treasures?
Question 18 Why is the art called Noh?
Question 16 Why is the entrance curtain multicoloured?
Question 15 Why are Noh masks so small?
Question 11 How long will "new pieces" remain new?
Question 10 Is hand clapping necessary for Noh programs?
Question 9 Why are Noh performers still active in their seventies?
Question 8 How do you care for Noh masks?
Question 7 What kinds of wigs are used in Noh plays?
Question 5 What does "hiraki" mean?
Question 2 Noh and Kyogen, which is older?

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