Question and Answer

 How do they start the torchlights used for outdoor performances?

In outdoor Noh performances, or takigi-noh, flickering light of torchlights generates a significant dramatic effect. The torchlight is, however, not mere lighting equipment. Takigi-nō performed in the precincts of a shrine or a temple is itself a ritual or religious service.

Before starting the performance, an igniting ceremony is performed by the priests. They ignite the fires with a torch, lit via human power. They make a fire with frictional heat generated by an ancient firing device called “rokuro-hikiri.” The fire grows little by little, first burning small pieces of wood, to which are then added paper, and eventually chips of wood. It burns brightly when put on a torch.

Takigi-noh ends when the torchlights are extinguished and the stage fades into darkness. You can enjoy experiencing how a fire transforms itself. Together with the performance, you will have an invaluable once-in-a-lifetime experience that will never recur.

(Jun 26, 2008)

Question 31 | Question 33

• Question 164An Italian opera based on Noh?
• Question 163In which area of Japan does a remnant of the “Shundō” school survive?
• Question 162Were there models for Noh masks?
• Question 161How many kinds of Noh mask are there?
• Question 160What is the record number of performances in one day?
• Question 159Does the idiomatic phrase “Iza Kamakura” come from Noh?
• Question 158Why is “Taiten” performed only at the time of an era-name change?
• Question 157What is the play in which real instruments appear?
• Question 156Why is the Hōshō school known as “Utai Hōshō”?
• Question 155Which place has produced many Noh mask makers?
• Question 154Who was the rival of Kan’ami and Zeami?
• Question 153Are there any everyday terms that originate in Noh?
• Question 152Did samurai “Noh fanatics” sometimes go too far?
• Question 151Are there any unusual Noh theatres?
• Question 150What is karagoto?
• Question 149Was there a Noh stage in Edo Castle?
• Question 148Is it possible to learn Noh performance for personal interest?
• Question 147What sort of old customs live on in Noh plays?
• Question 146What kind of plays are suitable for old actors?
• Question 145What is “kaburimono”?
• Question 144Why do singers put their fans in front of their knees?
• Question 143A Noh version of the Ninth Symphony?
• Question 142Which pieces are recommended for beginners?
• Question 141Are there two spaces on the Noh stage?
• Question 140Which performing arts has Noh influenced?
• Question 139Were there Noh actors who worked as warriors?
• Question 138Do you need any qualifications to become a Noh performer?
• Question 137Why is the back panel called kagami-ita?
• Question 136Has anyone from a Noh family been outstanding in another field?
• Question 135Is it possible for Noh actors to change to different schools?
• Question 134What is “XX Yashiki” found on old maps?
• Question 133What is the Sagi School of kyōgen?
• Question 132What role does the fan play in Noh performance?
• Question 131Does the bell in "Dōjōji" really exist?
• Question 130Tell us about unique Noh plays surviving in rural areas.
• Question 129Is it true the cypress stage floor is alive?
• Question 128What sort of a play is “Utsubo-zaru,” which features a juvenile role?
• Question 127What are the origins of the designs of kendai?
• Question 126How are costumes used for many years cared for?
• Question 125How do tsure and waki actors choose their costumes?
• Question 124What are the design rules for Noh fans?
• Question 123Was Natsume Soseki a Noh lover?
• Question 122Which kyōgen piece is based on a French conte?
• Question 121How do you hang the big bell for “Dōjōji”?
• Question 120What is the link between “Yoroboshi” and Shitennō-ji?
• Question 119Was Ii Naosuke a Noh/Kyogen playwright?
• Question 118Who was the actor-turned-daimyō of the Edo Period?
• Question 117What is Shinji-mai, a ritual dance with strong links to Noh?
• Question 116How did Noh become a ceremonial performance for the Edo Shogunate?
• Question 115Which opera is based on “Sumidagawa”?
• Question 114What was the origin of kogaki?
• Question 113Where does the sliding walk in the Noh performance come from?
• Question 112Was author Izumi Kyōka from the family of a Noh performer?
• Question 111Which Japanese films show the influence of Noh?
• Question 110Does each school have its own design patterns for the fans?
• Question 109Why are Tenkawa shrine and Noh closely connected?
• Question 108What role did koutai play in terakoya in the Edo period?
• Question 107Do the costumes vary with the pieces being performed?
• Question 106Does the term "shibai" come from Noh?
• Question 105Which Noh play was imported from a foreign country?
• Question 104What new pieces were performed by Hideyoshi?
• Question 103Which military commander was a drum virtuoso?
• Question 102What kind of people partonized Noh performers in the Warring States period?
• Question 101Did Zeami finally manage to return to Kyoto?
• Question 100What kind of relationship exists between shoulder drums and hip drums?
• Question 99What are some benefits of Noh vocalization?
• Question 98Why is “Hagoromo” so popular?
• Question 97Japanese people didn’t used to have back pain?
• Question 96What was the young Benkei like?
• Question 95What is Kanjin-no?
• Question 94Is the running time for a Noh play today the same it was in olden times?
• Question 93When did overseas Noh performances begin?
• Question 92Why are there many Noh stages on Sado Island?
• Question 91What kind of jobs does a kōken do when he is off stage?
• Question 90Does the Noh stage have a flat surface?
• Question 89Are the Japanese socks specially designed for the Noh performance?
• Question 88Are Noh performers all-rounders?
• Question 87Are there any solo performances by Noh musicians?
• Question 86Why go to su-utai?
• Question 85Is nakairi an interval?
• Question 84What special way is the small tabor played in Dojoji
• Question 83What is Waki-dome?
• Question 82How are spider's webs and threads used in Tsuchigumo?
• Question 81What is Rōsoku-noh?
• Question 80What kind of place is the setting for Utou?
• Question 79Is an ad lib a result of the performance?
• Question 78Is there a play in which the audience takes a part?
• Question 77Why do actors stand still for such a long time?
• Question 76What is the voice from behind the curtain?
• Question 75How many plays are performed?
• Question 74Do actors always change their costumes at the same moment?
• Question 73Why do musicians call out?
• Question 72What are the basic sounds of the small tabor?
• Question 71Is a drum always involved in the music?
• Question 70How much preparation time is needed for the large tabor?
• Question 69How many times does the call bell ring?
• Question 68What is the basic tone in Noh music?
• Question 67What does "komi" mean in the Noh world?
• Question 66Who is watched at the beginning of the performance?
• Question 65What kind of characters appear in Noh?
• Question 64How many fue (flutes) does a fuekata (flute player) have in a lifetime?
• Question 63Are koutai a way to understand Noh more quickly?
• Question 62Is there a third passageway in on a Noh stage?
• Question 61Are Noh performances always the same?
• Question 60What is the purpose of kizahashi?
• Question 59What is meant by iroiri when discussing Noh costumes?
• Question 58Is there a Nohgaku museum?
• Question 57How do you pronounce syllables in the g series?
• Question 56Is the distance of the bridgeway fixed?
• Question 55What sort of a play is "Ran-no"?
• Question 54Who is in charge of dressing the leading actors?
• Question 53Was Sharaku, a great ukiyo-e master, also a Noh actor?
• Question 52What are the basic forms and movements of Noh acting?
• Question 51Who is the "overseer" of the stage?
• Question 50Which side of the stage ranks higher, right or left?
• Question 49Why do kotsuzumi players lick their finger on stage?
• Question 48Is it true that performers wear two masks one over another?
• Question 47What kinds of props are used for Noh plays?
• Question 46Is it true that Noh actors' hearts beat as fast as those of athletes?
• Question 45How can reciters keep themselves in unison, while they are ten or more?
• Question 44Can Noh actors wear glasses on stage?
• Question 43Is there any influence of “Shōmyō” upon Noh chanting?
• Question 42Why do supporting actors not wear masks?
• Question 41Is haori half-coat not used on the Noh stage?
• Question 40What is the difference of “noh-kan” (Noh flutes) from other flutes or pipes?
• Question 39What is “Okina”, the piece classified in Noh, but not a genuine Noh play?
• Question 38Was Toyotomi Hideyoshi a great Noh actor?
• Question 37How many times do performers rehearse a piece?
• Question 36What do the pillars around the Noh stage signify?
• Question 35Is there any special technique in making female masks?
• Question 34How do you operate the entrance curtain?
• Question 33Do Zeami’s manuscripts exist today?
• Question 32How do they start the torchlights used for outdoor performances?
• Question 31When did kagami-ita, the symbol of the Noh theatre, first appear?
• Question 30In what period did books of Noh chants become popular publications?
• Question 29Is Takigi-noh performed even if it rains?
• Question 28What is Hakama-noh?
• Question 27What kind of hair is used on noh masks?
• Question 26Which play has the most actors?
• Question 25Can a woman become a Noh performer?
• Question 24Is there any special aspect in a Noh actor's folding fan?
• Question 23Do actors ever fall from the stage?
• Question 22How heavy is a Noh costume?
• Question 21Which Noh stages are designated as national treasures?
• Question 20Is it true that there is no stage director for Noh plays?
• Question 19Is it true that Noh music does not have definite tonality?
• Question 18Why is the art called Noh?
• Question 17When and how was the first independent Noh theatre created?
• Question 16Why is the entrance curtain multicoloured?
• Question 15Why are Noh masks so small?
• Question 14 Nessun dorma, signore e signori!sun dorma, signore e signori!
• Question 13Is there any special etiquette to keep in mind in the theatre?
• Question 12Where can I find the best position in the auditorium?
• Question 11How long will "new pieces" remain new?
• Question 10Is hand clapping necessary for Noh programs?
• Question 9Why are Noh performers still active in their seventies?
• Question 8How do you care for Noh masks?
• Question 7What kinds of wigs are used in Noh plays?
• Question 6What kind of roles are played as kokata (juvenile actor) ?
• Question 5What does "hiraki" mean?
• Question 4Is the gangway bridge the same as the runway of Kabuki?
• Question 3Is it true that jars under the floor improve the acoustic effects?
• Question 2Noh and Kyogen, which is older?
• Question 1Is there any rule for the color of tabi (split-toed socks)?