衛武營國家藝術文化中心 National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Weiwuying)

Originated during the 14th century, Kyogen has a history of over 600 years. It is one of the four forms of traditional Japanese theater arts alongside noh, kabuki, and bunraku. While noh plays drew from traditional literature and kabuki and bunraku portrayed the dramas of Edo period life, kyogen developed its own niche with witty dialogue and exaggerated, humorous movements. This unique comedic style has influenced contemporary Japanese dramas and comedic performances.

Yuki NOMURA was born into an illustrious kyogen family. His grandfather Mansaku NOMURA II has been named as a living national treasure. His father Mansai NOMURA is an interdisciplinary artist active in both film and television. He became known to audiences across Asia after portraying Abe no Seimei in the 2001 film Onmyoji. He also served as the artistic director of Setagaya Public Theatre. As the heir of an influential kyogen family, with an accomplished grandfather and multitalented father, Yuki NOMURA has faced public scrutiny since childhood. His stage debut came at the age of three in The Monkey Skin Quiver. He then embarked on the path to becoming a kyogen master. At the age of 18, he performed Sanbaso, which is considered a graduation exam for kyogen masters. After performing Trapping of the Fox at 23, he completed the NOMURA family kyogen master training that "begins with the monkey and ends with the fox." Afterwards, Yuji NOMURA expanded his reach to other fields, trying his hand at acting in television series, starring in stage plays, and even dubbing animated films. Through these different forms of performing arts, he developed his own style and became a rising star.

This time, Yuki NOMURA will guide Mansaku-No-Kai Kyogen Company's new generation of performers as a "little teacher" in presenting the kyogen play The Snail. With its humorous plot driven by "misunderstandings," the performance promises to be both engaging and resonant. To ensure that people won't be put off upon hearing "time-honored traditional art," the play will be performed in a simple and lighthearted manner, with performers in kimonos and traditional costumes to create a relaxed and enjoyable while showcasing the essence of kyogen.

Let's relax together, hold our bellies, and laugh heartily alongside the kyogen masters!

  Creative and Production Team  

Performers｜Yuki NOMURA, Shuichi NAKAMURA, Go IDA

  Artists Introduction  

Yuki NOMURA

Born in 1999, he is the eldest son of Mansai NOMURA, and was trained by his grandfather Mansaku NOMURA and his father. He graduated from Keio University's Faculty of Law and is a member of the Nohgaku Performers' Association. He made his stage debut at the age of three in Tsurigitsune, an event documented by NHK in a program that was later released on DVD titled The Birth of a Little Kyogen Theatre Master—Mansai Nomura's First Performance for Three Generations. In 2017, he performed Sanbaso for the first time, and in 2018, he participated in Divine Dance Sanbaso (as part of the Japonismes 2018 program) in Paris, where he alternated daily with his grandfather and father as the lead in Sanbaso. In 2020, he starred in The Tale of NASU no Yoichi. In 2021, he made his television acting debut in WOWOW's 30th-anniversary drama The Solomon's Perjury and voiced the lead character Izou in the Netflix animated film Bright: Samurai Soul. In 2022, he starred in Tsurikitsune. In March 2023, he took on the role of Hamlet in his first modern theater performance in the play Hamlet, directed by Mansai NOMURA, at the Setagaya Public Theatre.

Shuichi NAKAMURA

Born in 1989, Shuichi NAKAMURA learned Kyogen from Mansaku NOMURA and is currently a member of the Nohgaku Performers' Association. He began his Kyogen training at the age of 9 and made his stage debut in 2000 as a child actor in the play Narihira mochi. After graduating from Keio University's Faculty of Law, he performed in various notable works such as Uo no Sōhō and Taiko Mochi. In 2016, he took on leading roles in Sanbaso, The Tale of Nasuno Yoichi, and Tsurikitsune. In addition to performing, he teaches Kyogen at Matsuo Juku Traditional Performing Arts School and serves as an advisor to Kyogen clubs at Waseda University, Tokyo Woman's Christian University, and Kyoritsu Women's University.

Go IDA

Born on September 10, 1989, in Kanagawa Prefecture, Go IDA is a Kyogen performer trained under Mansaku NOMURA and a member of the Nohgaku Performers' Association. He entered Mansaku NOMURA's tutelage in 2012 and made his stage debut in 2013 in a supporting role in Kogasa. His Kyogen training began during his studies at Nihon University's College of Art. He performed Nasu no Yoichi no Katari (The Tale of Nasu no Yoichi) in 2019 and Sanbaso in 2021. As a member of the Mansaku-no-Kai Kyogen Company, he has participated in Kyogen and Noh performances both in Japan and internationally. In addition to performing, he teaches Kyogen at the Asahi Culture Center's Kyogen class and Matsuo Juku Traditional Performing Arts School.