In the Noh play Ōeyama, it’s not the demon who deceives — but the humans.

A haunting story of honor, betrayal, and silence.

Experience it live this June in Tokyo.

Performance Details

Date: June 21, 2025

Venue: Hōshō Noh Theater (宝生能楽堂), Tokyo

Doors open: 2:45 PM | Performance starts: 3:30 PM (Afternoon Program)

Tickets: ¥5,500 (General) | ¥2,700 (Students)

Available at the venue while supplies last

Note: I have no affiliation with Hōshō Noh Theater.

Before You Go

The Unspoken Rules of Noh: When to Applaud

A 1-minute guide for first-timers:

iTunes: https://apple.co/41E31wd

YouTube: https://youtu.be/CHPXWbRd9t0

Hashtags:

#Ōeyama #NohTheater #JapaneseCulture #ShutenDōji #TokyoEvents #TraditionalArts #CulturalWisdom #TheaterShorts #宝生能楽堂 #NohPerformance

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Instagram caption for your Ōeyama Reel

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Ōeyama: The Demon Who Speaks the Truth

A warrior is sent to slay a demon.

But when they meet — it’s the demon who shows kindness.

And the humans who betray.

This is Noh at its quietest… and most piercing.

Live Performance Info

Date: June 21st, 2025

Venue: 宝生能楽堂 (Hōshō Noh Theater), Tokyo

Time: Doors open 2:45 PM | Start 3:30 PM (Afternoon program)

Tickets: ¥5,500 General | ¥2,700 Students

Available at the venue while supplies last

Note: I have no affiliation with Hōshō Noh Theater.

Before You Head to the Noh Theater:

“The Unspoken Rules of Noh: When to Applaud” — explained in just 1 minute

iTunes: https://apple.co/41E31wd

YouTube: https://youtu.be/CHPXWbRd9t0

Dear listeners,

I’m happy to share a new reading this month: Kantan (邯鄲), one of the most quietly profound stories from the world of Noh. Drawn from Mankichi Wada’s Yōkyoku Monogatari, this tale follows a young man who dreams of fifty years of glory—only to awaken as the steam rises from a bowl of millet.

It is a story of impermanence, told not with drama, but with stillness. A dream that vanishes in a breath. A truth that speaks through silence.

This piece has taken on special meaning for me recently. Later this month, I’ll have the quiet privilege of attending a live performance of Kantan at Hōshō Noh Theater in Tokyo—where my own Noh master will take on the role of Shite, bringing the world of Kantan to life on stage.

Although I know most of you won’t be able to attend, I wanted to share the details for those curious about this tradition:

Performance Information

(Note: I am not affiliated with Hōshō Noh Theater.)

Date: May 17, 2025 (Saturday)

Venue: Hōshō Noh Theater (Tokyo)

Time: Doors open at 10:15 AM | Performance begins at 11:00 AM

Program: Yoshino Shizuka (能), Oni Gawara (狂言), Kantan (邯鄲)

If you listen to this new episode, I hope it brings you into the poetic stillness of the Noh world—even from afar. Your support allows me to keep creating these quiet recordings, and I’m truly grateful for that.

With deep appreciation,

Kasumi

In this poetic Noh play, Yoshino Shizuka, the warrior Yoshitsune escapes not with a sword—but through a dance.

As danger closes in, it is Shizuka Gozen’s quiet performance, filled with sorrow and grace, that shifts the hearts of their enemies and alters fate itself.

This episode of Nan’pusha invites you into the power of art, memory, and devotion on Japan’s legendary stage.

Performance Information (Note: I have no affiliation with Hōshō Noh Theater.)

📅 Date: May 17, 2025 (Saturday)

🏯 Venue: Hōshō Noh Theater (Tokyo)

⏰ Doors Open: 10:15 AM | Performance Starts: 11:00 AM (Morning Session)

Performance: Yoshino Shizuka (吉野静), Oni Gawara (鬼瓦 - Kyogen), Kantan (邯鄲)

🔗 Hōshō Noh Theater Official Website - Performance schedule

https://www.hosho.or.jp/schedule

If you’re reading this after the live performance, don’t worry—there will be more upcoming performances! Subscribe and stay tuned for the next episode.

🎭 Before You Head to the Noh Theater

“The Unspoken Rules of Noh: When to Applaud” — Explained in just 1 minute.

iTunes https://apple.co/41E31wd

YouTube : https://youtu.be/CHPXWbRd9t0

🎧 A Personal Guide to Experiencing Noh Theater in Tokyo (2025) 🎭

iTunes: https://apple.co/4iyQCiF

YouTube: https://youtu.be/sqVF4muW8nw

🎶 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Ne5ABclxhfHb86h7UWBLI?si=6A64cS9FRNqYK4hKy8Kuhw

In this quiet, reflective episode, I share the story of how I first encountered Utai—the chant of Noh theatre—and how it answered a longing I had carried for years.

It began in a Romanesque church in Paris, where I heard opera up close for the first time. That voice, so full and resonant, stayed with me. I didn’t know it then, but it had started me on a journey toward a very different kind of vocal expression.

Utai is not “singing” in the usual sense. It is a deeply embodied vocal art developed in medieval Japan—resonating not through volume, but through presence. In contrast to Western opera, which fills vast spaces with sound, Utai was shaped in quiet, intimate spaces, where the voice must come from within the body itself.

In this episode, I reflect on how architecture, tradition, and physical awareness shape the human voice across cultures. I also share what it feels like to sit face-to-face with my Noh teacher, and to hear the chant—not just with the ears, but with the whole body.

If you are curious about the art of Noh, the meaning of voice, or simply wish to listen to something calm and contemplative, I hope this story will stay with you.

Kasumi

The Art of Utai and the Profound Influence of My Noh Master 🎙️

Utai is more than vocalization—it is an art of resonance, a tradition carried through centuries, and a deeply meditative practice. Rooted in shōmyō (Buddhist sutra chanting) and Heikyoku (the recitation of The Tale of the Heike), it is a technique where sound is not simply projected but allowed to resonate through the bones, the body, and even the space around the performer.

📖 What makes Utai unique?

Unlike conventional singing, Utai does not rely solely on vocal cords. The voice is shaped by the nasal bones, skull, ribcage, and diaphragm, creating a multidimensional sound. The effect is striking—not just a voice that fills the space, but one that seems to exist within it, as though emerging from the air itself.

🎭 The Philosophy of Sound in Noh

Zeami described Utai as a balance of neiro (timbre) and yūgen (subtle elegance). More than technique, it is an approach to sound that prioritizes nuance over force, and restraint over excess. A master of Utai does not simply perform—they invite the audience into the world of Noh through the depth of their voice.

🎤 A Personal Reflection

When I first heard my Noh master’s Utai up close, I understood—for the first time—what true resonance meant. His voice did not just reach my ears; it seemed to vibrate through my very bones. There was no strain, no force, and yet, the sound filled the space effortlessly. It was an experience that reshaped my understanding of voice and presence.

A year into my training, I still find myself discovering new layers of sound each time I listen to him. The subtle shifts in tone, the depth of expression—these are qualities that cannot be captured in notation but must be absorbed through experience.

📌 A Question to Reflect On

Have you ever encountered a sound that stayed with you—not just as something heard, but as something felt?

If you are curious about Noh, I encourage you to explore it. Despite its deep traditions, it remains an art that welcomes those willing to engage with it.

I look forward to sharing this journey with you.

🌸 I’m excited to share that I’ll be attending the upcoming Kantan performance at Hōshō Noh Theater ! This performance is especially meaningful to me, as my Noh master himself will take on the role of Shite—embodying Kantan.

📍 Performance Information (Note: I have no affiliation with Hōshō Noh Theater.)

📅 Date: May 17, 2025 (Saturday)

🏯 Venue: Hōshō Noh Theater (Tokyo)

⏰ Doors Open: 10:15 AM | Performance Starts: 11:00 AM (Morning Session)

Performance : 吉野静、鬼瓦(狂言)、邯鄲

Doors open 10:15 AM | Performance 11:00 AM 午前の部 I’ll be there as soon as the doors open!

Tickets are available at the venue while supplies last.

Price: ¥5,500 (General Admission) | ¥2,700 (Students)

🔗 Hōshō Noh Theater Official Website - Performance schedule

https://www.hosho.or.jp/schedule

If you’re reading this after the live performance, don’t worry—there will be more upcoming performances! Subscribe and stay tuned for the next episode.

🎭 Before You Head to the Noh Theater

“The Unspoken Rules of Noh: When to Applaud” — Explained in just 1 minute.

iTunes https://apple.co/41E31wd

YouTube : https://youtu.be/CHPXWbRd9t0

🎧 A Personal Guide to Experiencing Noh Theater in Tokyo (2025)

iTunes: https://apple.co/4iyQCiF

YouTube: https://youtu.be/sqVF4muW8nw

🎶 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Ne5ABclxhfHb86h7UWBLI?si=6A64cS9FRNqYK4hKy8Kuhw

Ephemeral splendor, vanishing like mist.

A young man dreams of fifty years of glory—only to awaken to a fleeting moment.

A distant theologian teaches that wealth and status cannot grant true happiness.

In this episode, we step into the world of Kantan, where ambition dissolves like morning dew,and reflect on the timeless wisdom of St. Thomas Aquinas.

今回の短いエピソードでは、能『道成寺』の悲劇的な物語をご紹介します。貴族の娘の報われぬ愛が執念と怒りに変わり、彼女は狂気にかられて大蛇に変身し、僧侶を追い詰めます…

“ Love unreturned can ignite a fire—one that twists, coils, and strikes like the monstrous serpent she became.”

In this brief episode, I dive into the tragic Noh play Dōjō-ji, where unrequited love spirals into obsession and fury. A noblewoman’s love for a monk turns into madness, and she transforms into a serpent to pursue him. The bell, once a symbol of peace, becomes a deadly instrument of torture...