2018 marks the 40th anniversary of “The Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and the People's Republic of China”. On the evening of August 10th, at the invitation of the Japanese Ambassador to China, Mr. Yokoi Yutaka, Dr. Zhou Jinfeng, the Secretary-General of CBCGDF, attended the ceremony and enjoyed the two unique traditional arts of Japan, Kyogen and Noh. As one of the important activities to commemorate the 40th anniversary of “The Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and the People's Republic of China”, the art performance attracted a large number of audiences and guests, which played an important role in promoting cultural exchanges and promoting the communication between the two peoples.

Kyogen and Noh were born about 600 years ago in the folk of the Muromachi era. The repertoire of the performance, including "Boushibari", "Kawakami" and "Kusabira".

The protagonists of Kyogen performance are Japan’s prestigious artists, NOMURA MANSAKU and NOMURA MANSAI.

NOMURA MANSAKU is a master of Kyogen. Born in 1931, he was the heir of important intangible cultural heritage (people called him the “Living National Treasure" or Ningen Kokuho). He studied under the late grandfather, the first generation of Nomura, Nomura Mansai, and the late father, the sixth generation, Nomura Manzo. He first went on stage at the age of 3, and he graduated from the Literature Department of Waseda University. At the same time, he is also the leader of the organization "MANSAKU GROUP".

Another famous Kyogen artist, NOMURA MANSAI, was born in 1966 and he is a comprehensive designator of important intangible cultural assets. He studied under the late grandfather, the sixth generation, Nomura Manzo, and his father, Nomura Mansaku. He also first went on stage at the age of 3, and he graduated from the Music Department of the Tokyo University of the Arts. He is the leader of the organization the "Throne of Kyogen".

(Photo: CBCGDF)

By / Annabelle