Mansaku Nomura

Born in 1931. Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property (Living National Treasure). Person of Cultural Merit. Member of the Japan Art Academy. Recipient of the Order of Culture. Studied under his grandfather, the late Nomura Mansai I, and his father, the late Nomura Manzo VI. Graduated from Waseda University, Faculty of Letters. Head of the "Mansaku-kai" group. His dignified artistry, which combines lightheartedness and meticulous expression with deep emotion, represents one of the pinnacles of Kyogen. He has contributed to the spread of Kyogen both in Japan and abroad. He has served as a visiting professor at the University of Hawaii and the University of Washington. He has worked for many years on the secret piece "Tsurigitsune," which showcases the pinnacle of Kyogen technique, and won the Grand Prize at the Arts Festival for his performance of it. He has also received numerous other awards, including the Kanze Hisao Memorial Hosei University Noh Award, the Matsuo Performing Arts Award, the Kinokuniya Theatre Award, the Japan Art Academy Award, the Purple Ribbon Medal, the Tsubouchi Shoyo Grand Prize, the Asahi Prize, the Hasegawa Shin Award, the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, the Chunichi Culture Award, the New York Japan Society Award, and the NHK Broadcasting Culture Award. As a Kyogen performer, he has often taken on new challenges, such as in "Pierrot Lunaire," "The Meridian Festival," "Akie," "The Boasting Samurai," "Atsushi - The Tale of the Mountain Moon and the Master," and "The Ballad of Narayama," laying the foundation for the current prosperity of Kyogen. In 2025, the film "Six Faces" (directed by Isshin Inudo), which documented his more than ninety years in the art, was released.

Nomura Mansai

Born in 1966. Studied under his grandfather, the late 6th generation Manzo Nomura, and his father, Mansaku Nomura. Holder of the Important Intangible Cultural Property designation. Graduated from the Faculty of Music, Tokyo University of the Arts. Founder of "Kyogen Gozaru no Za". Participates in numerous Kyogen and Noh performances both domestically and internationally, contributing to their popularization. He also stars in contemporary plays, films, and television dramas, and directs works utilizing classical techniques, including the stage productions "Atsushi - Sangetsuki/Meijin-den -", "Shigosen no Matsuri", "Hamlet", "Noh/Kyogen 'Demon Slayer'", and "The Emperor of the Rising Sun". He is one of the leading figures driving contemporary Japanese culture and arts. Recipient of numerous awards, including the Arts Festival Newcomer Award and Excellence Award, the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award for New Artists, the Asahi Performing Arts Award, the Kinokuniya Theatre Award, the Mainichi Art Award Senda Koreya Award, the Kanze Hisao Memorial Hosei University Noh Award, the Matsuo Performing Arts Award Grand Prize, and the Tsubouchi Shoyo Grand Prize. Visiting Professor at Tokyo University of the Arts and Nihon University College of Art. Artistic Creative Director of Ishikawa Prefectural Music Hall. President of the Japan Association of Public Cultural Facilities.

Synopsis

FukuyamabushiFukuroyamabushi

Worried about his younger brother, who has been acting strangely since returning from the mountains, the older brother goes to a mountain ascetic to ask for a prayer. As the ascetic examines the brother and begins to pray, the brother cries out with a vacant look in his eyes. Upon inquiry, it is revealed that the brother had played a prank on an owl's nest in the mountains. Believing that the owl has possessed him, the ascetic prays fervently, but the symptoms only worsen. And then finally... This is a fun performance with the memorable sound of an owl hooting. The sound of an owl hooting may just get stuck in the minds of everyone watching.

Mosquito SumoKazumou

A feudal lord sends his servant, Taro Kaja, to find a new servant. A mosquito spirit from Moriyama in Omi Province, who has taken human form to travel to the capital to feed on human blood, happens to pass by. Unaware of its true nature, Taro Kaja brings the mosquito spirit back. Hearing that his new servant is skilled at sumo wrestling, the delighted lord wants to have him compete, but finding no opponent, he reluctantly takes on the spirit himself, only to be bitten by the mosquito and become dizzy. Realizing the spirit's true identity, the lord brings out something to win... This is a truly bizarre story of a human feudal lord and a mosquito spirit engaging in sumo wrestling. Pay attention to the movements of the easygoing lord and the mosquito spirit, whose characteristics are exaggerated to resemble a mosquito.