The Kanazawa Nohgaku Museum has announced that it will be closed from 4/11 (Tue.) to 4/21 (Fri.) for exhibition changes.After the 10-day closure, the Kanazawa Nohgaku Museum will open its 2023 special exhibition.
Exhibition corner at the Kanazawa Nohgaku Museum (image from 『Kanazawa Nohgaku Museum』 Facebook)
Kanazawa’s Relationship with Nohgaku
Free admission for Kanazawa citizens on Culture Day (image from 『Kanazawa Museum of Nohgaku Art』 Facebook)
The Maeda family was founded in the Warring States period by the warlord Maeda Toshiie, who built up the Kaga family of one million goku (one million stone) in his lifetime. According to the website of the 『Kanazawa Nohgaku Museum』, the Maeda family of the Kaga domain, whose ancestors were the Toshiie family, spread Kanazawa Nohgaku to the common people as ceremonial music and dance for the warrior class, and this led to the unique development of Kaga Hosho, which is said to have been 「a place where songs fall from the sky」.
What is the Kanazawa Nohgaku Museum like?
In addition to exhibiting valuable historical artifacts, Noh plays and the Noh stage are explained with video images and models. In addition, there is a corner where visitors can experience Noh plays and Noh instruments (temporarily suspended due to the Corona disaster).
It is also the base of activities of the Kaga Hosho Kodomo Juku and Kanazawa Sobayashi Kodomo Juku, and plays an important role in conveying the appeal of Noh to children. In August last year, 「Let’s make masks with your children」 was held as part of the 『Kanazawa Machi-Haku 2022』 event! Mask Making with Parents and Children” as an event of “Kanazamachi-Haku 2022”.
Children wearing handmade masks (image from 『Kanazawa Noh Museum』 Facebook)
Collaboration with a manga artist from Kanazawa
『Genyo Nohgaku Shu』 and Nohgaku cards (image from 『Kanazawa Museum of Nohgaku』 Facebook)
Akiko Hatsu, a manga artist from Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, known for her works such as 『Uryudo Yumebanashi』, 『Furuginuya Monyocho』, and 『Araarakashiko』, published in November 2021 『Genyo Nohgaku Shu』, a collection of Noh plays depicting the world of Noh. In July last year, the Kanazawa Nohgaku Museum released illustration cards on the theme of Nohgaku in conjunction with the book.
Noh mask masters Yuji Goto and Naoshi Goto
The Kanazawa Museum of Nohgaku Art announced that the museum will be closed until April 21 for exhibition changes.
Notice of Exhibition Closure (Image from 『Kanazawa Museum of Nohgaku』 Facebook)
Following this, the Kanazawa Museum of Nohgaku Art has announced that it will hold its 2023 special exhibition 【Drunk with Masks: Yuji Goto’s Noh Mask Banquet】 from April 22, 2023 (Saturday).
He spent his elementary school days in Kyoto and entered Kanazawa College of Art with a yearning to become a Japanese-style painter, which led him to Noh mask making after graduation.
Now one of Japan’s foremost Noh mask makers, he is the representative of the 「Noh Mask Yumonkai」, which conducts research and production of Noh masks in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, so expectations are high for the 「YUJI GOTO Noh Mask Party」 to begin on April 22.
His son, Naoshi Goto, has also honed his skills as a Noh mask artist and showed his work on the January 16 broadcast of 『Ishikawa I like it! File 36: Noh Mask Artist Naoshi Goto』 (Ishikawa TV).
Kanazawa Nohgaku Museum Information
| Name | Kanazawa Nohgaku Museum |
| Location | 1-2-25, Hirosaka, Kanazawa City |
| Telephone number | 076-220-2790 |
| HP | https://www.kanazawa-noh-museum.gr.jp/ |
