Begin Japanology

This month, we present a special talk-show series called Japanophiles, featuring lively interviews with foreigners living in Japan. Noh theater is one of Japan's great traditional performing arts. Today's Japanophile is Richard Emmert, an American Noh actor. Emmert has lived in Japan for 39 years, and Noh has been his overriding passion. He himself says that he is "married to Noh." Emmert first became interested in Noh theater as an undergraduate in the States. He took a seminar about Noh and ended up playing the lead in a production put on by the instructor. Now a professor of the performing arts in Japan, Emmert has written books about Noh, led international Noh workshops, and even directed English-language Noh plays. He's actually working on one now about Elvis Presley! Drawing on his boundless love of Noh, Richard Emmert offers fascinating insights into this unique and profound art form.