Kabuki, Noh, and More at Carnegie Hall
Discover the heritage and evolution of Noh and Kabuki theater, taiko drumming, the three-stringed shamisen, and more led by today’s foremost actors, musicians, and representatives of art forms that have been handed down and passionately studied for centuries.
An Evening of Traditional Japanese Arts
Friday, November 14 at 8:00 p.m.
Carnegie Hall | Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage – 57th Street and 7th Avenue
Admission: $86.50 - $226
Carnegie Hall will be the site of a very special performance: An Evening of Traditional Japaense Arts. Discover the heritage and evolution of Noh and Kabuki theater, taiko drumming, the three-stringed shamisen, and more led by today’s foremost actors, musicians, and representatives of art forms that have been handed down and passionately studied for centuries.
Performers
Hirotada Kamei – Noh Musician
Denzaemon Tanaka – Kabuki Musician
Denjiro Tanaka – Kabuki Musician
Yoshimasa Kanze – Noh Actor
Takanobu Sakaguchi – Noh Actor
Saburota Kanze – Noh Actor
Hayato Nakamura – Kabuki Actor
Hiromitsu Agatsuma – Shamisen
Kouki Agatsuma – Shamisen
Masaru Tsuji – Wadaiko
Ryotaro Leo Ikenaga – Wadaiko
Suguha Otani – Japanese Dance
Yumi Kurosawa – Koto
Takuya Iwata – Shakuhachi
Yuichi Otsuki – Noh Actor
Manabu Takeichi – Noh Musician
Wakichi Kineya – Nagauta Singer
Chotatsuro Imafuji – Nagauta Shamisen
Gotaro Kineya – Nagauta Musician
Katsueiji Kineya – Nagauta Musician
Katsukuniharu Kineya – Nagauta Musician
Tatsujuro Imafuji – Nagauta Musician
Kan Fukuhara – Shinobue
The performance will last approximately two and a half hours with one 20-minute intermission. To purchase tickets, please visit Carnegie Hall’s website.
An Evening of Traditional Japanese Arts by Kosuke Yoshino
Sankyokai
Sankyokai (“Three Resonances”) is an ensemble dedicated to exploring new artistic possibilities through the sound of hayashi—the traditional musical accompaniment of Noh and Kabuki—by fusing the resonances of Japan’s two foremost traditional performing arts. Since its founding in 1997, the group has carried forward the spirit of classical performance while continuing to create sounds that transcend time.
The members are three brothers: Hirotada Kamei, head of the Kadono School of Noh Otsuzumi (large hand drum); Denzaemon Tanaka XIII, head of the Tanaka School of Kabuki music; and Denjiro Tanaka VII, also a Kabuki musician of the Tanaka School.
Their father, Tadao Kamei, was a Living National Treasure in Japan and head of the Kadono School of Noh drumming who performed at Carnegie Hall in 2016; their mother, Sataro Tanaka IX, was the head of the Tanaka School of Kabuki music. Born to parents who represented these two distinct classical traditions, the brothers literally embody the meeting point of Noh and Kabuki.
From early childhood, they grew up exploring boundaries seamlessly between the two worlds—Noh, with its 600-year-old spiritual rigor; and Kabuki, born 200 years later with its vivid theatricality. As they matured, each pursued his own professional path: the eldest, Hirotada, in Noh; the middle brother, Denzaemon, and the youngest, Denjiro, in Kabuki. Yet through years of training, they began to sense a shared desire: to discover a form of expression that could transition between these traditions without breaking their structure or form.
Out of this belief, Sankyokai was born. Three Resonances reflects both the trio’s instruments—Hirotada’s Otsuzumi, Denzaemon’s Kotsuzumi, and Denjiro’s Taiko—and their wish to create a unified resonance born from their individual spirits. From its inception, Sankyokai has sought to present the timeless allure of classical performance in a contemporary context, finding new vitality in the dialogue and contrast between Noh and Kabuki. Today, the three brothers continue their journey as performers, creators, and stewards of Japan’s classical heritage, carrying it forward into the future.
Glossary of Terms
If you are new to traditional Japanese arts, you may not be familiar with the terms in this post. Please refer to the brief primer below to get you up to speed.
Kabuki: Classical Japanese theater that combines singing, acting, and dramatic poses and is known for elaborate costumes and makeup. Although men have performed all the roles since the mid-17th century, kabuki was established by a woman, Izumo no Okuni, around the year 1603. In 2008, UNESCO inscribed kabuki in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Noh: Japan’s oldest major theatrical art form, which has been performed since the 14th century. Based on literary tales, noh’s themes revolve around regret and spiritual transformation. Actors use masks to emphasize emotion and props such as folding fans to enhance the story.
Shamisen: Three-stringed, banjo-like instrument with a long neck and a distinct twangy sound. As one of the instruments providing accompaniment for kabuki, the shamisen enhances dramatic scenes and sets the mood. Originating in China, the Ryukyu Kingdom (what is now Okinawa Prefecture) introduced the instrument to mainland Japan in the mid-16th century.
Wadaiko: The traditional art of Japanese drumming, encompassing drums of a variety of sizes played by a group. Accompanying both kabuki and noh, wadaiko provides rhythm and sound effects and helps to create dramatic tension.
Japanese Dance: Known as Nihon buyo, traditional Japanese dance grew out of kabuki in the 17th century. It is a style of visual storytelling that incorporates refined movements and precise gestures.
Koto: The national instrument of Japan. The koto is a zither made of Paulownia wood and typically has 13 silk strings. Originally associated with gagaku, or court music, the koto is not standard in kabuki or noh.
Shakuhachi: Vertically held Japanese bamboo flute. First introduced from China in the 8th century, the shakuhachi was a staple in gagaku (court) music and later became used in Zen Buddhist meditation.
Nagauta: Genre of traditional Japanese music that literally means “long song.” Developed around the year 1740, nagauta is performed on shamisen to accompany kabuki. It is a lyrical style of music, focused more on expression rather than storytelling.
Shinobue: Japanese transverse bamboo flute with a high-pitched sound. In addition to its important role in kabuki and noh ensembles, the shinobue is integral to Shinto rituals as well as festivals and folk music.
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The Story of the Woman Who Created Kabuki
OKUNI: The Woman Who Created Kabuki
Now through Saturday, November 23
Theatre Row – 410 W. 42nd Street
Admission: Starting at $40
Amaterasu Za presents OKUNI: The Woman Who Created Kabuki, written, directed, and choreographed by Ako Dachs. This show will be performed in Japanese with subtitles and thematic narrations in English. Preview performances of OKUNI began on November 2, in advance of its opening night on November 14, and the show will run through November 23 at Theatre Row.
Combining authentic dance, live music, dialogue, and narration, OKUNI tells the real-life story of a young woman who, in 1603, defied societal norms and gender roles to create Kabuki, one of Japan’s most iconic art forms. Performing on the riverbanks of Kyoto, Okuni and her all-female troupe captivated audiences by portraying both men and women with flamboyant costumes and swaggering style. Her bold, satirical performances quickly gained popularity, earning her the title “Best in the World” from the government. However, as imitators and concerns about morality grew, women were banned from performing Kabuki, and the tradition became an all-male domain—a practice that continues today. Presented by the bilingual Japanese-English theater company Amaterasu Za, OKUNI brings to life the extraordinary journey of the woman who broke barriers and founded a theatrical tradition that has endured for more than 400 years.
“OKUNI is a story of defiance, creativity, and the power of female empowerment, says Ako Dachs. “I was inspired to write this play because, even today, women are often marginalized in spaces they have helped to build. Okuni’s journey is a reminder that women’s contributions to culture, art, and society aren’t new. Through this production, we celebrate not only Okuni’s legacy but the strength of women everywhere who continue to push boundaries and redefine what is possible."
OKUNI cast (l to r): Ako, Yasushi Kimura, Fumi Tanakadate
Conceived by and starring Japanese-born, NY-based actress Ako*, who was recently seen in FX/Hulu's Emmy Award-winning series Shogun, OKUNI also features well-known Tokyo-based actor Yasushi Kimura and musician Fumi Tanakadate. The design team includes lighting design by Aaron Bowersox, set design by Josh Dachs, projection design by Cinthia Chen, sound design by Chad Raines, costume design by Ako Dachs, and wig design by Mitsuteru Okuyama. Original music composition is by Fumi Tanakadate and Ako Dachs. Production stage manager is Madeleine Blossom*, assistant stage manager is Sabrina Morabito*, and Kanako Morita is the assistant producer.
OKUNI runs 90 minutes with no intermission and will play Tuesday through Friday at 7:00 p.m., Saturday at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., and Sunday at 3:00 p.m. For more information, please visit AmaterasuZa’s website; to purchase tickets, please visit www.bfany.org.
Full Schedule
Tuesday, November 12 at 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 13 at 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, November 14 at 7:00 p.m. (Opening Night – SOLD OUT)
Friday, November 15 at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 16 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 17 at 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday, November 19 at 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 20 at 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, November 21 at 7:00 p.m.
Friday, November 22 at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 23 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
*Actors Equity Association
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SACHIYO ITO & COMPANY OFFERING FREE LESSON IN JAPANESE DANCE
Free Trial Japanese Dance Lesson with Sachiyo Ito and Company
Saturday, September 28 from Noon until 1:00 p.m.
Sachiyo Ito and Company Studio – 405 W. 23rd Street at 9th Avenue
Admission: Free
Sachiyo Ito and Company at the 2024 Japan Parade. Photo by Jon Jung.
Japanese traditional dancer, instructor, and choreographer Sachiyo Ito is opening her Chelsea studio for a free trial lesson on Saturday, September 28!
What You’ll Learn
Basic movements and gestures of Japanese dance
How to use the dance fan (fan will be provided)
Kabuki dance repertory
What To Bring
Cotton socks
Yukata and obi (if you have them)
To register, please send an email to sachiyoitoandcompany@gmail.com. The deadline to register is Thursday, September 26.
Come dressed in your yukata or allow yourself enough time to get dressed at the studio before the lesson is scheduled to begin. If you need a yukata and/or an obi, please inform Sachiyo Ito and Company when you register.
To those experienced in stage performances, you will have an opportunity to join Sachiyo Ito and Company for 2025 spring performances such as cherry blossom festivals. Learn more about Sachiyo Ito and Company at dancejapan.com.
Enjoy the beauty and grace of Japanese dance!
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