Paper short abstract:

During the Edo period noh theatre was frequently performed in domains, such as Kumamoto, Okayama, Kaga or Date. This presentation investigates Kurokawa noh, a local, semi-professional tradition and its role in the cultural activities of the Shōnai domain during the Edo period.

Paper long abstract:

During the Edo period noh theatre was frequently performed in domains, such as Kumamoto, Okayama, Kaga or Date. Noh actors not only travelled from Edo to the domains but were also hired as so-called okakae yakusha ('employed' actors) on a constant basis by certain daimyō. Research has shown, that the performance of noh was part of the cultural activities of the domains and most likely served as a status symbol, proofing the appropriate conduct of business in the domains.

The Sakai daimyō from the Shōnai domain (Yamagata Prefecture) also showed great interest in noh theatre. Nevertheless, it seems as if they did not hire actors from Edo nor invite them due to one fortunate fact. They had their own noh tradition close to the to the domain's capital Tsuruoka: Kurokawa noh.

The farmers of Kurokawa were able to draw large audiences to their performances in the cities of Tsuruoka and Sakata in the Shōnai domain and taught noh to villagers living in their vicinity. They even performed for the daimyō on a regular basis. This presentation investigates the local, semi-professional noh tradition of Kurokawa and its role in the cultural activities of the Shōnai domain (Yamagata Prefecture) during the Edo period relating it to other domains where nō theatre has been performed.