​​Enjoy a Kyoto Merchant-Style Celebration With a Noh Actor - With a Sake Toast & Fine Japanese Cuisine

Noh, an Elegant Kyoto Custom Enlivening Celebratory Occasions

Noh is a classical Japanese theater form that has evolved over 600 years. In 2008, it was recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage. Traditionally, noh performances were held at shrines and temples to pray for peace, good harvests, health, and marital bliss.

The atmospheric venue, Kurochiku Momochitarukan

Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who unified Japan in 1590, and Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, the fifth shogun of the Edo period (1603–1868), both performed noh. Since the Muromachi period (1336–1573), noh has been popular with both the upper classes and commoners. In the Edo period, merchants adopted noh chants for celebratory speeches at special events. By the Meiji period (1868–1912), some prominent merchants also began performing noh dances.

The cypress noh stage at Kurochiku Momochitarukan, painted with pine and bamboo

The venue Kurochiku Momochitarukan is located on Shinmachi Street in Kyoto, an area known for kimono merchants and machishu (wealthy Kyoto merchants) culture. Some merchants who learned noh even built stages in their homes. Kurochiku Momochitarukan is a small banquet hall featuring a cypress noh stage in a townhouse-style building, run by a Japanese crafts seller. You can rent this charming venue exclusively for your party.

Deepen Your Understanding of Noh by Exploring Its Artifacts

The theme of this experience is "celebration." A specially invited noh actor will perform a celebratory dance just for your group. To help you enjoy the performance better, the actor will first introduce you the basics of noh, a musical drama that combines song and dance, performed on special stages with masks and costumes. After the introduction, you’ll enjoy a noh play with the theme of "celebration," featuring an auspicious legend  or myth chosen from over 200 noh plays.

Learn about the costumes and tools used by noh actors

You can also get a closer look at the masks and costumes essential to noh performances. You'll see famous masks used in notable performances, like the Hannya mask, representing a vengeful female spirit, and the Shōjō mask of a Chinese fairy who loves drinking. Additionally, explore costumes made with the traditional Japanese technique of karaori (brocade), where colored threads are woven to create raised patterns, with an explanation of the process.

Noh masks showing different expressions from various angles

Julia Yamane, representative of Discover Noh in Kyoto, will guide you through this experience and explain the connection between Kyoto's history and noh. "Noh is an ancient Japanese art form with great cultural significance, historically performed for the enthronement of emperors and shoguns. We hope you and your loved ones can experience the celebratory style of Kyoto's merchants, who held high economic and cultural status," she says.

Julia Yamane, representative of Discover Noh in Kyoto

Powerful Yet Graceful Dance by Noh Performers

After the lecture, you'll watch a dance by a noh performer. It's a rare opportunity to see a powerful performance on a full-scale stage painted with pine trees. You'll feel the tension in the performer’s dignified postures and movements, experiencing the shifting atmosphere with each breath, which will enhance your appreciation of the art.

Captivating the audience with unique physical expressions

For an additional fee, you can also have a noh instrument performer, known as "Hayashikata," join the performance. They play a flute, a small drum (Kotsuzumi), or a large drum (Otsuzumi), enhancing the performance and musical score. Additionally, there is a special option where the noh performer wears an exquisite costume and mask, typically reserved for formal performances.

Noh costumes feature intricate designs with patterns woven from colored silk threads and elaborate embroidery

Experience Lively Celebratory Utai, a Sake Toast, and a Japanese Cuisine

Utai is traditionally sung at weddings and longevity celebrations. In this plan, the noh performer will sing a special auspicious utai song after the dance.

Prepare a toast while enjoying the powerful chanting

After the chanting, the noh actor congratulates your group, and it's time to toast with sake cups. Soon after, a celebratory cuisine will be served. In Japan, it’s customary to have sekihan (red rice) with red beans and glutinous rice for special occasions, shaped like a gourd, a symbol of celebration.

Example of a festive cuisine with a colorful array of dishes (contents vary by season)

Celebrate a Special Anniversary in Traditional Kyoto Style

Noh is a traditional art form with deep historical roots, passed down through generations. For over 1,000 years, Kyoto has been Japan's capital and cultural center, and noh has been an integral part of life there. "Unlike other traditional cultures, noh is still not widely known globally. I hope for more people to experience the wonder of the world of noh," says Julia.

Make your anniversary a memorable one in Kyoto, where the culture of the local merchants flourished

We can also create a custom tour based on your requests. In central Kyoto, you’ll find many traditional craft shops, temples, and attractions, including sites related to noh. Why not spend a special anniversary like a Kyoto merchant, celebrating with noh and Japanese cuisine?