[Shimabara Tourism Bureau Co., Ltd.] 42nd “Shimabara Castle Takigi Noh” held to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the construction of Shimabara Castle
*Shimabara Tourism Bureau Co., Ltd.*
Press release: August 15, 2024
**
42nd “Shimabara Castle Takigi Noh” held to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Shimabara Castle construction
*This year, to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the construction of Shimabara Castle, we will be performing a celebratory performance of Kongo-ryu Noh, “Uchitomoode”! *
At dusk in autumn, the “Khan” of drums sounds and Noh songs are played. A bonfire brightly illuminates the Noh stage, and Shite and Waki in bright Noh costumes dance gracefully in the light. In the background, Shimabara Castle shines blue-white. What an elegant and profound world it is. You can now immerse yourself in that world, transcending time and space of several hundred years. This is a night where you can enjoy the Shimabara Castle Takigi Noh performance and deeply feel the happiness that comes with the name of Shimabara. Noh is a traditional performing art that Japan is proud of around the world. Born 600 years ago. Noh is theater, a comprehensive art that combines dance, music, and drama. Among these is the field of Kyogen. Kan’ami was the creator of Noh, and it was perfected by his son Zeami around the 15th century. Under the protection of the Muromachi shogunate, it built a sophisticated beauty that rivaled any
aristocratic creation up until now. After that, it survived the era of war and became a required subject for the general education of military commanders.
During the Edo period, it became the ceremonial drama of the shogunate, and has been refined for 300 years as a form of
Bushido-like training. The Noh performances seen today were perfected during this period.
Of course, it is also held in Shimabara, where the lord of the Shimabara clan actively hosts Noh performances. Shimabara Castle has a Noh theater, and the Matsudaira Bunko contains many Noh books and Kyogen books. Shimabara also has a long history and culture of Noh, which eventually spread to townspeople and farmers, and was even invited by feudal lords to perform.
In order to protect and nurture Shimabara’s tradition and culture, “Shimabara Castle Takigi Noh” was revived in 1983 (Showa 58) and continues to this day. This year, the event will be held to
commemorate the 400th anniversary of the construction of Shimabara Castle.
Shimabara Castle 400th Anniversary
* “42nd Shimabara Castle Takigi Noh” *
Date and time: Saturday, October 5, 2020, 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (scheduled to end)
Venue: Shimabara Castle Tower Square
Admission: Free
Doors open at 4:30 p.m.
Show starts at 5pm
Scheduled to end at 8:30 p.m.
Contact: Shimabara Castle Takigi Noh Promotion Association ☎︎0957-62-2411