NHK World Prime

Noh-Kyogen is allegedly the most ancient existing form of theater. Among its repertories, "Okina-Sanbaso" is performed only on special occasions, such as the new year. Unlike other Noh and Kyogen pieces, this 600-year-old masterpiece has no apprehensible synopsis, but is considered more of a sacred ritual which prays for peace and for abundant harvest. "Okina-Sanbaso" reflects a mixture of Buddhism, Shintoism and various Asian cultures that arrived through China and Korea. With enigmatic origins, it is a sacred rite that only the selected few Noh actors are allowed to perform. In 2019, under cherry trees in full bloom, the most prominent Noh performers of Japan staged "Okina-Sanbaso" in Tanzan Shrine, Nara Prefecture. Kanze Kiyokazu, the direct descendant of Noh founders Kan'ami and Zeami and the 26th head of Kanze school, danced the first part, "Okina." Nomura Mansai, dancing the latter part, "Sanbaso," is an actor representing Japan. World-renowned musician, Ryuichi Sakamoto, who is also deeply interested in this unique piece, will animate throughout the program our exploration of the performance in an attempt to decipher the underlying spirituality of Japanese culture, in regard to concepts of "Multicultural symbiosis" and of "Animism."