2015-08-23, Noh Theater

My friend Noriko in Tokushima had given me tickets to a Noh play in Nagoya.  I have never seen Noh so of course I jumped at the chance and one of my coworkers came with me.  We took the cheapest train so it took an extra 40 minutes or so but I enjoy riding on trains and listened to a book on my phone so it went quickly (a little over an hour and a half).

We started our day by visiting the Noritake (you've heard of Noritake dinnerware right?) garden/gallery/store/cafe.

Lots of interesting buildings and construction near the station.

 At Noritake

An old kiln.

We couldn't figure out why there were dinosaurs at Noritake...  they seem to be following me ever since the dinosaur museum.  There were dinosuars at the aquarium and now here!

The cafe at Noritake.

Foccacia pizza for lunch.  Yum.

We took a bus to the theater.

I loved how they used castle wall type stones for this fountain.  The castle is across the street.

Sawakosan in front of the theater.

These are the types of masks they use during the play.

Guess who...

The stage.

It turned out that there was a lecture before the actual play, and since I couldn't understand any of it, and Sawako preferred to visit the castle we decided to do that and return when the play started. 

I have to note that I am very spoiled by having a real (original) castle here in Hikone and so I might be a little biased. The Nagoya castle is rebuilt, and I have to say, not very well.  The outside is alright, although there are drainage pipes everywhere which take away from the historical feeling and an outside elevator for handicapped, etc.  There are modern staircases and an elevator inside and the top floor is basically a gift shop.  I suppose if you look at it as a museum rather than a castle it's okay...

They have just redone the building where visitors were greeted and it's really beautiful.  The wood throughout is hinoki, a type a fragrant cypress - beautiful to look at and smell.

It was getting warmer and warmer - a great reason to stop for ice cream.  I choose a frozen melon flavor soda with vanilla ice cream float.  Really delicious and refreshing!

Back to the theater.

This was before the actual play.

The actors (there are only men) come and go through those colorful curtains on the left.  And once they leave the stage they don't return (for applause like in western plays).

The curtain is lifted up by a rope from behind.

The men in the back play insturments or help with costumes and props.

I have to first say that I was very grateful to be given the tickets and I'm really glad I went - once in a lifetime experience and all.  But, once in a lifetime was enough.  It was so slow, so slow, every movement, the 'music'/chanting/drumming, and nothing to even keep your eyes open and watching.  It took about 5 minutes for them to take one step or open a fan...  I actually think I fell asleep for a little while but every so often there is a sharp tap on the drum (to keep us awake???).  I think maybe Noh is like opera.  You either love it or hate it - there's no in between.