Photo/Illutration Takigi Noh is performed on a special stage at the Heian Jingu shrine in Kyoto on June 1. (Kenta Sujino)

KYOTO--Torches illuminated a performance of Noh classical Japanese theater here in the nation's ancient capital on the evening of June 1.

Kyoto Takigi Noh, an outdoor torchlit performance, took place at the Heian Jingu shrine for the first time in three years after the novel coronavirus pandemic forced its cancellation the past two years.

“Even though the event has a long history, what we fear the most is people forgetting about it,” said Hirohisa Inoue, who heads the Kyoto Nohgaku kai, a Noh performance council.

Takigi Noh and “kyogen,” a traditional form of comedic theater, were performed on a special stage set up in front of the vermilion-lacquered shrine pavilion.

The performances by the shimmering light of a sacred takigi bonfire at night seemed to lead the audience into an ethereal world.

They enjoyed performances of Noh and kyogen by Kyoto's representative schools: Kanze, Kongo and Okura.

This is the 71st staging of the well-preserved traditional early summer event since it was co-organized by the Kyoto Nohgaku kai and the city of Kyoto in 1950.

The event has been pushed back for two consecutive years since 2020 due to the pandemic.

Inoue said at a news conference in April that he wanted to hold the event unless something extraordinary happened. He added the usual seating capacity of 2,000 has been reduced to 1,500 this year to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Takigi Noh will also be performed from 6 p.m. on June 2. Tickets at the gate will cost 5,000 yen ($38).

Inquires can be made to the Kyoto Takigi Noh Office at 075-754-0331 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Japanese only).

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