Kyōgen
A kyōgen performer
During the interval, and also between individual noh plays, there is a half-hour kyogen performance. These performances vary – some serve to explain in simple terms the story of the noh play, others simply offer some comic relief. Kyōgen is actually an elaborate art form in itself but is most often considered a part of noh.
There are five types of noh plays and traditional programs include one of each, in order. They feature the following characters: gods, warriors, beautiful women, various figures (often modern figures or crazy women!) and finally demons. The most popular play in the noh repertoire is Lady Aoi (Aoi no Ue), which is based on events from the famous 11th-century novel Tale of Genji.
As with kabuki, noh may be hard to handle in its full format. The performances are very long, although they are broken up by the occasional kyōgen sketches. The word noh actually means ability or skill. If you’re lucky enough to catch a (relatively short) noh performance held outdoors somewhere in the country on a balmy summer’s night with flaming torches for lighting, it’s actually quite an experience.
Nenbutsu Kyōgen is held at Kyoto temples in spring. This masked theater began here 1,000 years ago as group recitations of Buddhist teachings to receive greater blessings. In time this evolved into a means of imparting the teachings through comedic theater, and today amateur locals avidly perform and preserve the tradition. The 3 main temples are Seiryo-ji, Injo-ji, and Mibu-dera. Discover the local’s deep Buddhist faith and their strong community ties through this age-old performing art.
Mibu-Kyōgen
The correct name of Mibu Kyōgen is “Mibu Dainenbutsu Kyōgen.” Kyoto people have called it “Mibu-san no Kan Den Den” for a long time. Kyōgen is the classical Japanese comedy which is performed between each Noh play.
Mibu Kyōgen was designated as an important intangible cultural asset in1976. This was the first designation in Kyoto prefecture. And this kyōgen is one of the three famous kyōgens of Kyoto. (The others are Saga Dainenbutsu Kyogen at Seiryo Temple and Senbon Enmado Kyogen at Injo Temple.)
It is believed that Mibu Kyōgen was started by Enkaku Syonin, or Saint Enkaku, (1223-1311) in 1300. Because there were no loudspeakers at that time, pantomime was the best way to introduce Buddhism to a lot of people. In the modern era, Mibu Kyōgen drifted away from its original religious purpose and developed into a popular entertainment. Now, there are 30 kyōgen plays in Mibu Kyōgen. Even though Mibu Kyōgen has become entertainment, all of the kyōgen plays have a moral. Especially, they tell us about right and wrong and about punitive justice.
Dates of performances are as follows
l. Dainenbutsue: 9 days from April 21st to 29th
13:00-17:30
*13:00-17:30 and 18:00-22:00 only on April 29th
2. Autumn Performance: 3 days until Health Sports Day
*Health Sports Day is the second Monday of October
13:00-17:00
3. Setsubun, or the end of winter, Performance: 2 days before and on the end of winter
*Setsubun is on or about February 3rd
Perform the play “Setsubun” at the end of each hour from 13:00 to 20:00
Originally, Dainenbutsue in April was a Buddhist memorial service, and was performed in dedication to the principal image of Mibu Temple, “Enmei-Jizo-Bosatsu.” In Kyoto, there is a tradition at Setsubun of paying homage at Mibu Temple by dedicating a houraku, or an unglazed plate, to the temple. The dedicated unglazed plates are broken in the kyōgen play “Houraku Wari,” which is performed during Dainenbutsue. It is believed that people can expel evil spirits in this way and ensure a better future. The performers of Mibu Kyōgen are not professional actors but amateurs, a group of about 40 people living around Mibu Temple, including elementary school students and seniors in their 80s.
Access from Kyoto Station
Take Kyoto city bus No.28 and get off at the “Mibudera Michi” bus stop.
Open
Mibuzuka: 8:30-16:30
Fee
Mibuzuka: 100 yen
History Museum of Mibu Temple: 200 yen
Mibu Kyogen:
Adult: 800 yen
Junior high school and high school student: 600 yen
Elementary school student: 400 yen
The correct name of Mibu Kyogen is “Mibu Dainenbutsu Kyogen.” Kyoto people have called it “Mibu-san no Kan Den Den” for a long time. Kyogen is the classical Japanese comedy which is performed between each Noh play. Mibu Kyogen was designated as an important intangible cultural asset in1976. This was the first designation in Kyoto prefecture. And this kyogen is one of the three famous kyogens of Kyoto. (The others are Saga DainenbutsuKyogen at Seiryo Temple and Senbon Enmado Kyogen at Injo Temple.) It is believed that Mibu Kyogen was started by Enkaku Syonin, or Saint Enkaku, (1223-1311) in 1300. Because there were no loudspeakers at that time, pantomime was the best way to introduce Buddhism to a lot of people.In the modern era, Mibu Kyogen drifted away from its original religious purpose and developed into a popular rtainment. Now, there are 30 kyogen plays in Mibu Kyogen. Even though Mibu Kyogen has become entertainment, all of the kyogen plays have a moral. Especially, they tell us aboutright and wrong and about punitive justice. Characteristics of Mibu Kyogen are as follows l. Performers don’t speak during the performance. 2. All performers wear masks, and they show their expressions by using traditional Japanese bell, drum and flute. 3. All performers are men. Dates of performances are as follows l. Dainenbutsue: 9 days from April 21st to 29th 13:00-17:30 *13:00-17:30 and 18:00-22:00 only on April 29th 2. Autumn Performance: 3 days until Health Sports Day *Health Sports Day is the second Monday of October 13:00-17:00 3. Setsubun, or the end of winter, Performance: 2 days before and on the end of winter *Setsubun is on or about February 3rd Perform the play “Setsubun” at the end of each hour from 13:00 to 20:00 Originally, Dainenbutsue in April is a Buddhist memorial service, and it is performed in dedication to the principal image of Mibu Temple. “Enmei-Jizo-Bosatsu.” In Kyoto, there is a tradition at Setsubun of paying homageat Mibu Temple by dedicating a houraku, or an unglazed plate, to the temple. The dedicated unglazed plates are broken in the kyogen play “Houraku Wari,” which is performed during Dainenbutsue. It is believed that people can expel evil spirits in this way and ensure a better future. The performers of Mibu Kyogen are not professional actors but amateurs,a group of about 40 people living around Mibu Temple, including elementary school students and seniors in their 80s. Access from Kyoto Station Take Kyoto city bus No.28 and get off at the “Mibudera Michi” bus stop. Open Mibuzuka: 8:30-16:30 Fee Mibuzuka: 100 yen History Museum of Mibu Temple: 200 yen Mibu Kyogen: Adult: 800 yen Junior high school and high school student: 600 yen Elementary school student: 400 yen
Date: February, April, and October
Place: Mibu-dera Temple
Address: Boujo-bukko-ji kita-iru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto
Tel.: 075-841-3381
Access: 10-minute walk from Hankyu Railway Omiya Station
Website: http://www.kyoto.zaq.ne.jp/mibu/eng/index.html
e-mail: mibudera@kyoto.zaq.ne.jp
This father and son work together to create expressive handmade masks like those originally used for kyōgen theatre performances in the Saga area of Kyoto. Each mask is carefully shaped and hand-painted to bring out unique facial expressions that help bring the characters to life.
Various Noh and Kyōgen plays are also held periodically at Kawamura Noh Play Theater
Address: 14-320 Yanagizushi-cho Kamidachiuruagaru, Karasuma, Kamijo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
Access: 150m walk north from Exit No.2 at Imadegawa Station on the Karasuma Subway Line
Tel: 075-722-8717