To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Yokohama Noh Theater’s main stage, we will be holding a special performance called “Tenjin-sama no Geino”!
Yokohama Arts Foundation Press release: September 24, 2025 To Members of the Press To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Yokohama Noh Theater’s main stage, we will be holding a special performance called “Tenjin-sama no Geino”! A special performance weaving the legend of Sugawara no Michizane with masters of classical performing arts To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Yokohama Noh Theater’s main stage in 2025, a special
performance titled “Tenjin-sama no Geijutsu” (Performing Arts of Tenjin) will be held in November at the Konan Community Cultural Center Himawari-no-Sato. In Konan Ward, a place closely associated with Sugawara no Michizane, you can fully immerse yourself in the world of the “Tenjin Legend” through rakugo, sujoruri puppet theater, and dance and accompaniment. The performance will begin with a special lecture on “Sugawara no Michizane and the Tenjin Legend” by
Nishitakatsuji Nobuhiro, chief priest of Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine. Additionally, Konan ward resident and Living National Treasure Kimio Otsubo will be performing as dancer. This will be a rare opportunity to bring together performers active at the forefront of various fields of classical performing arts.
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Michizane’s death, to depict Michizane dancing joyfully in the Noh play “Raiden,” instead of the original “Raiden” in which Michizane is portrayed as the god of thunder. Tenjin faith and the land of Konan After being demoted to Dazaifu due to slander and meeting an untimely death, Michizane was worshipped as the god of thunder and heaven. This legend has been featured in many classical performing arts, including Noh, Kabuki, Bunraku, and Rakugo. Legend has it that his fifth son, Atsushige, lived in Yokohama’s Konan Ward, and Nagatani Tenmangu Shrine, home to one of only three rare wooden statues in Japan said to have been made by Michizane himself, has continued to cherish this faith. Performance Overview 150th Anniversary of the Yokohama Noh Theater’s Main Stage Construction: Yokohama Noh Theater Special Performance “Tenjin-sama Performing Arts” [Performance Date and Time] Saturday, November 29, 2025, 2:00 PM (Doors open at 1:30 PM) [Venue] Konan Community Cultural Center Himawari no Sato Hall [Track List] ●Story: “Michizane Sugawara and Tenjin Worship” Nobuhiro
Nishitakatsuji (Chief Priest of Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine) ●Rakugo “Pawnshop” Koisho Takigawa ● Sujoruri “Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami – Mt. Tenpai no Dan” Tayu: Takemoto Shikadayu Shamisen: Takezawa Sosuke ● Dance and Music “Raiden” (Hosho School) Shite: Otsubo Kimio Flute: Takahiro Fujita Small drum: Yuji Morisawa Drum: Ryotaro Tsukuda Taiko: Hideki Kajitani Jiutai: Genki Sano Hiroyoshi Sano Shinnosuke Watanabe Tickets ●Price (tax included / all seats reserved): 4,000 yen Ticket Sales ★Yokohama Noh Theater ○WEB reservation (24 hour reception) https://yokohama-nohgakudou.org/ticket/ ★ Konan Community Cultural Center Himawari no Sato (Reception hours: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM) ○ Counter reception ○ Phone: 045-848-0800 ★ Confetti (Reception hours: Weekdays 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM) 〇Telephone: 050-3092-0051 [Inquiries] OTABISHO Yokohama Noh Theater 045-263-3055 [Organizer] Yokohama Noh Theatre (Yokohama Arts Foundation) [Co-organizer] Konan Community Cultural Center Himawari no Sato [Cooperation] Yokohama Nigiwaiza ◆Performer profile
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/14302/1355/14302-1355-b0991dbfa3956cabaa642d4b8dfe78f8-500×500.png Nobuhiro Nishitakatsuji Nobuhiro) Born in 1980. He is the 40th descendant of the enshrined deity, Sugawara no Michizane. He graduated from the Department of History and Culture (Art History) at the Faculty of Letters, University of Tokyo. In 2019, he became the chief priest of Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine. In addition to serving as a Shinto priest, he is actively involved in planning art exhibitions and urban development.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/14302/1355/14302-1355-32f88da45d7ec08c49d5ffed8d68e119-500×500.png Risho Takigawa Rakugo storyteller. Born in Shizuoka Prefecture in 1953, he became a disciple of the VIII Shunputei Koyanagi in 1975. In 1977, he became a disciple of his master, the VIII Shunputei Ryusho. He strives to make his stories easy to understand for first-time listeners, and is known for his unique interpretations of classic rakugo stories that astound audiences.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/14302/1355/14302-1355-637b1da2d1c7311737fc34d1e1a01794-500×500.png Takemoto Shikodayu Tayu. Born in Hiroshima Prefecture in 1949. In January 2020, he assumed the name Takemoto Shikotayu VI, marking the revival of the name for the first time in 80 years. In April 2022, he was promoted to “Kirigatari,” the highest rank for a tayu. He is renowned for his ability to convey the emotions of the characters in his narration, while maintaining a clear, firm voice.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/14302/1355/14302-1355-f1de3cfbba05d09ecb56f7d306f02ebc-500×500.png Sosuke Takezawa Shamisen player. Born in Tokyo in 1960. In 1980, he became a disciple of Takezawa Danroku, took the name Takezawa Danji, and made his debut at the Asahi-za Theater. In 1995, he changed his name to Takezawa Sosuke. He produces a deep tone that brings out the worldview of Gidayu-bushi stories.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/14302/1355/14302-1355-dd1ea4e460ec42c90c036e391ccd76e7-500×500.png Kimio Otsubo Shite actor of the Hosho school. Born in Tokyo in 1947. Adopted by Tokio Otsubo in 1959, he studied under the 17th head of the Hosho school, Hosho Kuro Shigehide, and the 16th head of the Hosho school, Hosho Hideo. He is highly regarded for his refined dance style that accurately expresses the spirit of the music. He is a holder of various designations of Important Intangible Cultural Properties (Living National Treasures). He lives in Konan Ward, Yokohama. Dedication Song at Nagatani Tenmangu Shrine Prior to the performance, a dedication will be held at Nagatani Tenmangu Shrine on Wednesday, October 29th, from 2:00 PM. Kimio Otsubo, a Living National Treasure and resident of Konan Ward who will perform the dance and chant, will visit the shrine and offer a special song. This will be a special offering at a place associated with Tenjin worship. Please take a look at this as well.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/14302/1355/14302-1355-829fc970d463eebde993b60603653e2f-750×390.jpg ◆Yokohama Noh Theater This theater, located adjacent to Kabaneyama Park, about a 15-minute walk from JR Sakuragicho Station, is dedicated to Noh and Kyogen performances and features a Noh stage that is approximately 150 years old. The theater is currently closed for major renovations until June 2026. During the closure, a temporary base, “OTABISHO Yokohama Noh Theater,” will be set up on the 5th floor of Landmark Plaza. It will provide information about Noh and Kyogen, hold mini exhibitions, sell merchandise, and occasionally hold lectures and workshops. View details
