Returning to the origin of Noh,
Performaing Kurusu Sakura dance in front of God

Noh performer, Mr Madoka Mikata

The second son of Mr Ken Mikata, a Noh performer who wrote the script for Noh Kurusu Sakura based on a Noh song, he has been on the stage of Noh Kurusu Sakura since its first performance in 1988. We have talked to Noh performer Mr Ken Mikata.

I first took the stage at Myoken-jinja Shrine when I was 18 years old. I just got a driving license, I took a Shinkansen to leave Kyoto, got off at Gifu Hashima. I traveled with my father and mother in a car from there, but Gujo Yamato was farther than I expected. I remember I realized Japan is big when I drove. When I first stood on the stage of Myoken-jinja Shrine, I felt like I had returned to the “origin”. The air and smell are different from those performed indoors or in Noh theaters. In the old days, Noh wished for world peace and a good harvest, and I realized that it was performed in such places as a Shinto ritual. Standing in an outdoor hall of worship, I felt so honored for being able to perform Noh in front of God.

Noh is determined in detail, from the behavior and manners to how to walk and stop. It requires great concentration. However, as Zeami’s words include “Seeing in different ways”, which means that it is important for the performer to have a calm and objective eye. You shouldn’t get too enthusiastic and lose your composure or complacency. When I stood on the stage of Kurusu Sakura, I felt very comfortable with the sound of Tanna japonensis and the wind blowing through the hall of worship. Nature suddenly helped increase the level of acting. Furthermore, from the hall of worship, you can really see Mt Shinowaki. That is why I can convey more strongly to everyone the message that the culture of Japanese poetry should be spread from this area, which is included in the saying by Tsuneyori. As you can take advantage of such nature, I think the location of that Myoken-jinja Shrine is really wonderful.

Now, other than coming for performance, I visit Gujo Yamato at least three times a year to teach the 5th and 6th grades of Gujo City Yamato Minami Elementary School. At first, I used to show the actual Noh masks and talk about Noh in the classroom and show the songs and dances. But the children were very honest and cute. They absorbed quickly. When I repeated singing together, they could easily remember Kurusu Sakura. So, I taught songs and dances other than Kurusu Sakura and decided to welcome the children to stand together on the stage. The teachers also helped us, and the locals cooperated to make the children wear Yukata (Casual & informal cotton kimono) on the day so that the thoughts about Takigi Noh Kurusu Sakura of various people accumulate.

I was born and raised in Kyoto, so I didn’t see the countryside at all. When I was a kid, I was wondering what life in the countryside would be like. But when I came to visit Gujo Yamato every year because of Kurusu Sakura, sometimes I was making stage props and props with carpenters and locals. Recently I want to bring my child to Gujo Yamato to eat Ayu (Sweetfish). For me, Gujo Yamato, where the stage of Kurusu Sakura is, maybe my countryside and my hometown.