Kyogen:
Traditional Comic Theater of Japan
Yamamoto Kyogen Company

Three hundred years before Jonathan Swift, satire thrived in the form of kyogen, the Japanese comedic theater. Literally “mad words,” kyogen originated during the samurai era and features humorous stories of daily life laced with biting social satire directed against the samurai class that was the main audience for the plays. Led by Yamamoto Noritoshi—designated as an Intangible Cultural Asset by the Japanese government—Yamamoto Kyogen offers two kyogen comedies:

Shido Hogaku (Stop in Your Tracks): The classic kyogen tale of a master-servant relationship turned on its head. A servant is sent by his callous master on a shameful errand, and, in his spite, the servant vows to get his revenge. Hijinks ensue as the two engage in a riotous reversal of station, with the servant getting the last laugh.

Tsukimi Zato (Moon-viewing Blind Man): A farce in which a blind man meets a passerby on the road while enjoying a full moon and quickly becomes the object of a cruel trick perpetrated by the stranger.

In Japanese with English subtitles.

Pre-Performance Lecture
With Samuel L. Leiter, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Theatre, Brooklyn College, CUNY and the Graduate Center, CUNY. One hour before all showtimes, free to ticket holders.

Tickets
$45/$40 Japan Society members

Buy Tickets Online or call the Japan Society Box Office at (212) 715-1258, Mon. – Fri. 11 am – 6 pm, Weekends 11 am – 5 pm.

The six-city North American tour of Yamamoto Kyogen Company is organized and produced by Japan Society, New York, and is supported by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.