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Japanese Noh Art Under Covid-Threat

Published September 3rd, 2020 - 07:06 GMT

Kennosuke Nakamori's sonorous voice fills a small room as he practises the lines of a traditional Japanese Noh play, even though he hasn't performed before a live audience in months.

He moves gracefully as he rehearses the studied movements associated with the ancient art, but his serene exterior belies deep worries about the future of Noh.

The coronavirus pandemic has shuttered theatres across Japan, and while other traditional art forms can rely on generous private backers or state subsidies, Noh depends heavily on staging shows.

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This photo taken on July 29, 2020 shows performer Kennosuke Nakamori putting on the "hannya" mask as he takes part in a rehearsal at the Kamakura Noh Theatre in the town of Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture, about one hour southwest of Tokyo. Philip FONG / AFP

This photo taken on July 29, 2020 shows performer Kennosuke Nakamori putting on the "hannya" mask as he takes part in a rehearsal at the Kamakura Noh Theatre in the town of Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture, about one hour southwest of Tokyo. Philip FONG / AFP

The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has affected theatres across the world, but noh performers now face the ultimate question -- can the play that has been passed down for generations since the 14th century still survive after the pandemic? Philip FONG / AFP

The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has affected theatres across the world, but noh performers now face the ultimate question -- can the play that has been passed down for generations since the 14th century still survive after the pandemic? Philip FONG / AFP

This photo taken on July 29, 2020 shows performer Kennosuke Nakamori posing for a photo with a costume after an interview with AFP at the Kamakura Noh Theatre in the town of Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture, about one hour southwest of Tokyo. Philip FONG / AFP

This photo taken on July 29, 2020 shows performer Kennosuke Nakamori posing for a photo with a costume after an interview with AFP at the Kamakura Noh Theatre in the town of Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture, about one hour southwest of Tokyo. Philip FONG / AFP

This photo taken on July 29, 2020 shows a mask displayed at the Kamakura Noh Theatre in the town of Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture, about one hour southwest of Tokyo. Philip FONG / AFP

This photo taken on July 29, 2020 shows a mask displayed at the Kamakura Noh Theatre in the town of Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture, about one hour southwest of Tokyo. Philip FONG / AFP

This photo taken on July 29, 2020 shows performer Kanta Nakamori (L) and his son Kennosuke Nakamori putting on masks as they take part in a rehearsal at the Kamakura Noh Theatre in the town of Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture, about one hour southwest of Tokyo. PHILIP FONG / AFP

This photo taken on July 29, 2020 shows performer Kanta Nakamori (L) and his son Kennosuke Nakamori putting on masks as they take part in a rehearsal at the Kamakura Noh Theatre in the town of Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture, about one hour southwest of Tokyo. PHILIP FONG / AFP

The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has affected theatres across the world, but noh performers now face the ultimate question -- can the play that has been passed down for generations since the 14th century still survive after the pandemic? Philip FONG / AFP

The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has affected theatres across the world, but noh performers now face the ultimate question -- can the play that has been passed down for generations since the 14th century still survive after the pandemic? Philip FONG / AFP

This photo taken on July 29, 2020 shows performer Kennosuke Nakamori taking part in a rehearsal at the Kamakura Noh Theatre in the town of Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture, about one hour southwest of Tokyo. Philip FONG / AFP

This photo taken on July 29, 2020 shows performer Kennosuke Nakamori taking part in a rehearsal at the Kamakura Noh Theatre in the town of Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture, about one hour southwest of Tokyo. Philip FONG / AFP

This photo taken on July 29, 2020 shows performer Kennosuke Nakamori posing with a red wig, or "akagashira", after an interview with AFP at the Kamakura Noh Theatre in the town of Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture, about one hour southwest of Tokyo. Philip FONG / AFP

This photo taken on July 29, 2020 shows performer Kennosuke Nakamori posing with a red wig, or "akagashira", after an interview with AFP at the Kamakura Noh Theatre in the town of Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture, about one hour southwest of Tokyo. Philip FONG / AFP

The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has affected theatres across the world, but noh performers now face the ultimate question -- can the play that has been passed down for generations since the 14th century still survive after the pandemic? Philip FONG / AFP

The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has affected theatres across the world, but noh performers now face the ultimate question -- can the play that has been passed down for generations since the 14th century still survive after the pandemic? Philip FONG / AFP

This photo taken on July 29, 2020 shows performer Kennosuke Nakamori (R) and his father Kanta Nakamori taking part in a rehearsal at the Kamakura Noh Theatre in the town of Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture, about one hour southwest of Tokyo. Philip FONG / AFP

This photo taken on July 29, 2020 shows performer Kennosuke Nakamori (R) and his father Kanta Nakamori taking part in a rehearsal at the Kamakura Noh Theatre in the town of Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture, about one hour southwest of Tokyo. Philip FONG / AFP

This photo taken on July 29, 2020 shows performer Kennosuke Nakamori putting on the "hannya" mask as he takes part in a rehearsal at the Kamakura Noh Theatre in the town of Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture, about one hour southwest of Tokyo. Philip FONG / AFP
The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has affected theatres across the world, but noh performers now face the ultimate question -- can the play that has been passed down for generations since the 14th century still survive after the pandemic? Philip FONG / AFP
This photo taken on July 29, 2020 shows performer Kennosuke Nakamori posing for a photo with a costume after an interview with AFP at the Kamakura Noh Theatre in the town of Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture, about one hour southwest of Tokyo. Philip FONG / AFP
This photo taken on July 29, 2020 shows a mask displayed at the Kamakura Noh Theatre in the town of Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture, about one hour southwest of Tokyo. Philip FONG / AFP
This photo taken on July 29, 2020 shows performer Kanta Nakamori (L) and his son Kennosuke Nakamori putting on masks as they take part in a rehearsal at the Kamakura Noh Theatre in the town of Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture, about one hour southwest of Tokyo. PHILIP FONG / AFP
The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has affected theatres across the world, but noh performers now face the ultimate question -- can the play that has been passed down for generations since the 14th century still survive after the pandemic? Philip FONG / AFP
This photo taken on July 29, 2020 shows performer Kennosuke Nakamori taking part in a rehearsal at the Kamakura Noh Theatre in the town of Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture, about one hour southwest of Tokyo. Philip FONG / AFP
This photo taken on July 29, 2020 shows performer Kennosuke Nakamori posing with a red wig, or "akagashira", after an interview with AFP at the Kamakura Noh Theatre in the town of Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture, about one hour southwest of Tokyo. Philip FONG / AFP
The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has affected theatres across the world, but noh performers now face the ultimate question -- can the play that has been passed down for generations since the 14th century still survive after the pandemic? Philip FONG / AFP
This photo taken on July 29, 2020 shows performer Kennosuke Nakamori (R) and his father Kanta Nakamori taking part in a rehearsal at the Kamakura Noh Theatre in the town of Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture, about one hour southwest of Tokyo. Philip FONG / AFP
This photo taken on July 29, 2020 shows performer Kennosuke Nakamori putting on the "hannya" mask as he takes part in a rehearsal at the Kamakura Noh Theatre in the town of Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture, about one hour southwest of Tokyo. Philip FONG / AFP
This photo taken on July 29, 2020 shows performer Kennosuke Nakamori putting on the "hannya" mask as he takes part in a rehearsal at the Kamakura Noh Theatre in the town of Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture, about one hour southwest of Tokyo. Philip FONG / AFP
The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has affected theatres across the world, but noh performers now face the ultimate question -- can the play that has been passed down for generations since the 14th century still survive after the pandemic? Philip FONG / AFP
The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has affected theatres across the world, but noh performers now face the ultimate question -- can the play that has been passed down for generations since the 14th century still survive after the pandemic? Philip FONG / AFP
This photo taken on July 29, 2020 shows performer Kennosuke Nakamori posing for a photo with a costume after an interview with AFP at the Kamakura Noh Theatre in the town of Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture, about one hour southwest of Tokyo. Philip FONG / AFP
This photo taken on July 29, 2020 shows performer Kennosuke Nakamori posing for a photo with a costume after an interview with AFP at the Kamakura Noh Theatre in the town of Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture, about one hour southwest of Tokyo. Philip FONG / AFP
This photo taken on July 29, 2020 shows a mask displayed at the Kamakura Noh Theatre in the town of Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture, about one hour southwest of Tokyo. Philip FONG / AFP
This photo taken on July 29, 2020 shows a mask displayed at the Kamakura Noh Theatre in the town of Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture, about one hour southwest of Tokyo. Philip FONG / AFP
This photo taken on July 29, 2020 shows performer Kanta Nakamori (L) and his son Kennosuke Nakamori putting on masks as they take part in a rehearsal at the Kamakura Noh Theatre in the town of Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture, about one hour southwest of Tokyo. PHILIP FONG / AFP
This photo taken on July 29, 2020 shows performer Kanta Nakamori (L) and his son Kennosuke Nakamori putting on masks as they take part in a rehearsal at the Kamakura Noh Theatre in the town of Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture, about one hour southwest of Tokyo. PHILIP FONG / AFP
The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has affected theatres across the world, but noh performers now face the ultimate question -- can the play that has been passed down for generations since the 14th century still survive after the pandemic? Philip FONG / AFP
The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has affected theatres across the world, but noh performers now face the ultimate question -- can the play that has been passed down for generations since the 14th century still survive after the pandemic? Philip FONG / AFP
This photo taken on July 29, 2020 shows performer Kennosuke Nakamori taking part in a rehearsal at the Kamakura Noh Theatre in the town of Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture, about one hour southwest of Tokyo. Philip FONG / AFP
This photo taken on July 29, 2020 shows performer Kennosuke Nakamori taking part in a rehearsal at the Kamakura Noh Theatre in the town of Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture, about one hour southwest of Tokyo. Philip FONG / AFP
This photo taken on July 29, 2020 shows performer Kennosuke Nakamori posing with a red wig, or "akagashira", after an interview with AFP at the Kamakura Noh Theatre in the town of Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture, about one hour southwest of Tokyo. Philip FONG / AFP
This photo taken on July 29, 2020 shows performer Kennosuke Nakamori posing with a red wig, or "akagashira", after an interview with AFP at the Kamakura Noh Theatre in the town of Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture, about one hour southwest of Tokyo. Philip FONG / AFP
The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has affected theatres across the world, but noh performers now face the ultimate question -- can the play that has been passed down for generations since the 14th century still survive after the pandemic? Philip FONG / AFP
The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has affected theatres across the world, but noh performers now face the ultimate question -- can the play that has been passed down for generations since the 14th century still survive after the pandemic? Philip FONG / AFP
This photo taken on July 29, 2020 shows performer Kennosuke Nakamori (R) and his father Kanta Nakamori taking part in a rehearsal at the Kamakura Noh Theatre in the town of Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture, about one hour southwest of Tokyo. Philip FONG / AFP
This photo taken on July 29, 2020 shows performer Kennosuke Nakamori (R) and his father Kanta Nakamori taking part in a rehearsal at the Kamakura Noh Theatre in the town of Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture, about one hour southwest of Tokyo. Philip FONG / AFP

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