Oh No.

I went to see 'Takigi-Noh' today. Takigi-noh is a type of NOh theatre. It basically means it takes place outside. 'Takigi' means bonfire.

Buuut..... I don't think many people know what Noh theatre is. One reason being many people who go there end up falling asleep. It is verrrrry difficult. SO here's what it is:

Q: Defined simply, WHAT IS NOH drama???
Noh and Kyogen represent a wellspring for traditional Japanese performing arts and other arts and, as such, they have had tremendous influence on Kabuki and other arts that developed later. Perfected in Japan's Muromachi period (1333-1568), Noh has survived intact the subsequent years of war and social upheaval and is still performed today.
Noh created a new theatrical world by fusing three genres: narrative songs called Utai, a form of dance called shimai , and musical accompaniment called hayashi. With a story containing strong elements of the fantastic, a richly symbolic performance pared to the barest essentials, a stage stripped to the most basic elements, Noh attains the highest levels of artistic perfection. Added to this, the beauty of the Noh masks(!!!!!!!!! naturally ) and costumes transfixes the eye.

OK i don't know if it was defined simply. Hee hee.
http://www.noh-kyogen.com/english/index.html
have a look.
The play I saw was called 'Kurozuka'about an old nanny whose real identity is a demon who kills people in order to save the princess.

The mask used for the woman is called Shakumi, and the one used when the woman turns into a demon is the famous 'hannya' The actual masks that were used last night are hundreds of years old, kept in a shrine in Toyohashi.
Woohooo now i'm satisfied. Masks masks yay yay.

Here's what I wore to the theatre..... A yukata. It is a very informal version of Kimono. Wanna wear it? CHeck this out.... Cos I have no idea how to wear it.

http://www.tourism.metro.tokyo.jp/english/yukata/yukata/1.html