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Join Nobu in support of Sharing the beauty of Japan’s Noh drama with Seattle audiences

Nobu

1000 from 13 donors 1500 goal
What is this project all about?
This campaign will fund a series of Noh performances in Seattle this fall. This is a rare chance for Seattle audiences to see the Noh play, Tomoe, performed in traditional style by Munenori Takeda, one of Japan’s young Noh stars, and the Takeda Noh Troupe. Deriving from the classic Japanese epic, “Tales of the Heike,” Tomoe tells the moving story of the famous 12th-century woman warrior, Tomoe Gozen, and her ill-fated love for her master,Yoshinaka. In addition to Tomoe, the program will include Seattle’s own Garrett Fisher, who pays tribute to the universal qualities of Noh with his original work, Yoshinaka. It was inspired by the beauty of this classical theatre form and draws from the same Noh play, Tomoe.
Who is making this project possible?
This project is made possible by the support of the Commemorative Organization for the Japan World Exposition (COJWE), the Toshiba International Foundation (TIFO), and numerous individual donors who value the universal beauty of Japan’s heritage arts.
Will I see authentic Noh?
Yes. This is why we’re so excited about this project! Munenori Takeda was brought up in the Noh theatre, playing his first role at the age of two. His family tree includes various Noh masters who have received the “Living National Treasure” (Ningen Kokuho) designation from the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Individuals certified as Ningen Kokuho are considered to be the country’s “Preservers of Important Intangible Cultural Properties.” The Kanze school / style of Noh, to which the Takeda family belongs, is known for its emphasis on beauty and elegance. It is the oldest Noh school in Japan, dating back to the 1300s when it was established by Zeami, the founder of Noh.
Where will my donation go?
All donations will go to a special fund dedicated to funding this Noh project. Your contribution will go towards everything from visa fees for the artists, to theater costs, labor costs for stage technicians, transport of valuable Noh accoutrements, production of English supertitles, show program, and an educational exhibit on Noh and Japanese culture at the theatre which audiences can browse during intermission. ここでの寄付金は、すべてこの能プロジェクトの資金として使用されます。

Thanks to...

Jul 8
Yuriko view profile
Yuriko made a 25 contribution
Jul 5
Listel Canada Ltd. view profile
Listel Canada Ltd. made a 150 contribution
Tomoyasu view profile
Tomoyasu made a 50 contribution
Jul 3
Emu view profile
Emu made a 15 contribution
Jun 24
Setsuko view profile
Setsuko made a 10 contribution
Jun 22
Georgia view profile
Georgia made a 10 contribution
Jun 17 Japanese Chamber of Commerce gave 300 for a share of the JACLab Traveling Arts program costs
Takako view profile
Takako made a 50 contribution
Jun 13
Hiroko view profile
Hiroko made a 20 contribution
Steve view profile
Steve made a 150 contribution
Mayumi view profile
Mayumi made a 200 contribution
Jun 12
Nobuo view profile
Nobuo gave 10 for a share of the JACLab Traveling Arts program costs
Akiko view profile
Akiko gave 10 for a share of the JACLab Traveling Arts program costs

Please use your $10 to support Munenori's Challenge!

Please support a young Noh performer Munenori Takeda who has kept working to popularize Noh to the world. He had held one man Noh workshops all over Japan since 2008 at his own expense. Gradually he got his supporters. Some supporters offered free places for his workshops and other supporters told everybody about his activity. Then finally his workshop went overseas to Seattle and five other cities in North America last year.

This year Munenori is trying to perform in both a classical Noh play “Tomoe” with his fellow Noh-performers and an epoch-making collaboration “Yoshinaka” with Seattle’s acclaimed opera composer, Garrett Fisher.

My hope is that a lot of my friends say “Yes!” to support and put their $10 and more to this project from this site.

Thank you!

Read stories of real lives changed

You have made arts news happen in Seattle! Thank you A special Noh-Opera collaboration - only in Seattle

About Japan Arts Connection Lab

JACLabは、日本伝統文化の発信と継承をミッションとして掲げ、シアトル周辺の皆様に、日本伝統文化のユニバーサルな魅力を味わっていただけるよう、地域の美術館、劇場、学校など、あるいは、地域の芸術家の皆様と協力して活動を続けています。今回の能公演は、武田宗典氏の“能を世界に広めたい”という熱き情熱を後押しする形で企画いたしました。どうか皆様も、この若き能楽師の世界への挑戦を応援してください。　

JACLab is a nonprofit corporation and registered charity dedicated to sharing the universal beauty of Japan’s heritage arts with the US public. Developed over centuries through unbroken lines of master-apprentice training, these artistic traditions remain relevant for today’s society. Our activities aim to inform a community that can learn and appreciate the values embodied in Japan’s heritage arts.

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