YEREVAN. – The staff of traditional Japanese theater “Noh” will be on tour in Armenia for the first time.

In an interview with Armenian News - NEWS.am the leading actor and teacher of Hosho School of Noh Masayuki Fujii told about the forthcoming tours.

The performances will take place on September 26 and 27 in Komitas Museum-Institute and Puppet Theater after Tumanyan. Fujii noted with a smile that they were in Europe many times and in Armenia for the first time.

The group consisting of nine people will arrive to Armenia. Masayuki Fujii, his eldest son Shuga Fujii, Manjirō Tatsumi, his eldest son Kazuma Tatsumi, Satoko Kashiwayama, Eitaro Okura, Kayu Omura,, Takahisa Suda, Yoko Kamiyabu will please Armenian audience with their  performance.

The performance will consist of several parts, in general, it will last half an hour. The audience will see scenes from life of samurai and ordinary people, fight against a huge spider, a love story, performed in the form of flamenco, scenes from classical Japanese literature “The Tale of Genji.” All this accompanied by big and small drums, ancient Japanese guitars.

Noh (能) is a form of theater involving music, dance and drama, originating in the 14th century. The theater became widespread among the elite. The greatest playwright and theorist of Noh theater Zeami developed direction under the auspices of the Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu and this art passed from generation to generation. Kabuki Theater also known as traditional Japanese theater, is founded much later, about 200 years ago, when Tokugawa Shogunate was dissolved and became popular among the ordinary people. The traditional Japanese theater “Noh” was listed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. This is a symbolic dance-drama, deeply philosophical, reflecting spiritual beliefs and moral values. Distinctive characteristics are simple elegant scenic setting with  intricate costumes. The play usually has two or three main characters, chorus and orchestra of drummers and flutists.

Flamenco, as well as “Noh”originated in Northern India. By mixing “Noh” with flamenco, the East somehow meets with the West.

In Noh theater actors perform in masks.

Leading actor of theater and producer who is organizing seminars for children, Fujii said that this was a very important part for the theatre. He noted that the mask which was in his hands was 100 years old. There are masks that are over 200, 300, and even more years old. Masks are used by different actors, therefore there are special pads inside masks in order to suit different people.

Actors do not usually show how they change clothes, but Fujii who will play a woman will show how his transformation is made.

The idea of holding tours was realized thanks to the friend, Ambassador of Japan to Armenia Eiji Taguchi.

Fujii noted that he was in Armenia for the first time and it was very interesting to show traditional Japanese theater here.

Performance requisite is quite big. There are many tools, heavy costumes, precious mask.

Like many other professions in Japan, profession of the actor has dynastic character.

Fujii said that this passed from generation to generation. The father, the grandfather were actors. The son is an actor and the grandson, will be in theater too.

Boys begin to play in the theater from 3 years old. If they continue to play for 50 years, they will be recognized as holders of Important Intangible Cultural Properties. Another 20-year of career and they will be recognized as Living National Treasure of Japan. Fujii is one of the 50 holders of Important Intangible Cultural Properties.

Fujii emphasized that yesterday he went to Garni and saw the historical monument. Here, in Armenia, they want to show something very historically Japanese. It is very significant. As ancient Armenian culture allows people to estimate adequately rich culture of other ancient people. He added that he Armenian people understand what history is.

Two other wishes of Fujii are to see Noah's Ark on the bible Mount Ararat and the most ancient shoe in the world that was found in Armenia.

Free tickets for the upcoming September 26 performance are available in the puppet theater.