Mishima’s Muse – Noh Theater

TRADITIONAL NOH

Hosho Noh School’s U.S. Debut

Thursday, December 4 at 7:30 pm—Followed by a ticketed soirée**
Friday, December 5 at 7:30 pm—Followed by an Artist Q&A
Saturday, December 6 at 7:30 pm

**Performance + Soirée Tickets (limited): $98 / $76 members SOLD OUT
Performance Only Tickets: $88 / $68 members

Yukio Mishima immersed himself in Japan’s traditional arts and, notably, traditional noh theater, enchanted by its noble elegance and refined beauty. His love for noh resulted in a series of esteemed dramatic works, Modern Noh Plays, growing to encompass eight contemporary adaptations of noh stories. Now, the distinguished Hosho Noh School, originating in the early 15th century and led by 20th Grand Master Kazufusa Hosho, brings this elegant art form to the U.S. in the company’s historic North American debut. In accordance with centuries-old tradition, each evening features a rotating offering of the authentic classic repertoire of noh alongside comedic kyogen theater (performed by the prominent Yamamoto Tojiro Family).  Each play selected for this program served as a source of inspiration for Mishima to adapt as modern stories centuries later.

PROGRAM:
December 4: Noh Music: Shishi (Lion Dance) / Kyogen: Busu (Poison) / Noh: Aoi no Ue (Lady Aoi)

December 5: Noh Shimai (unmasked excerpt): Kantan / Kyogen: Busu (Poison) / Noh: Aya no Tsuzumi (The Silk Drum)

December 6: Noh Shimai (unmasked excerpt): Yoroboshi / Kyogen: Busu (Poison) / Noh: Aoi no Ue (Lady Aoi)

Performed in Japanese with English supertitles.

Related Event

Noh Workshop with Hosho Noh School
December 6, 2025 at 1 pm

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Part of the Yukio Mishima Centennial Series: Emergences
September—December 2025

Save 20% when you purchase a ticket to any 3 programs in the Yukio Mishima Centennial Series: Emergences (excludes workshops / talks and Access Seats tickets). Offer only valid for tickets purchased in the same transaction.

Your ticket for performances on September 12 – 20 also includes complimentary, same-day admission for one person to Chiharu Shiota: Two Home Countries, on view at Japan Society Gallery through January 11, 2026. To view the exhibition please show your ticket/receipt to the Welcome Desk for free admission before the performance. (September 11 ticket includes Gallery exhibition and opening reception entry immediately following the performance.)

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Images: Aya no Tsuzumi © Courtesy of Hosho-ryu School; Kazufusa Hosho in Aoi no Ue © Courtesy of Hosho-ryu School; Yukio Mishima on the roof the Bungeishunju Building in Tokyo, 1956 (Public Domain)

Mishima’s Muse – Noh Theater is supported by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, Japan Arts Council. The program is also supported, in part, by the John and Miyoko Davey Foundation.

The Yukio Mishima Centennial Series: Emergences is supported by Doug and Teresa Peterson.

2025-26 Performing Arts Season Support

Major support is generously provided by Doug and Teresa Peterson, Howard Gilman Foundation, Jun Makihara and Megumi Oka, and Robin B. Stern. Endowment support is provided by the Lila Wallace-Reader’s Digest Endowment Fund, John and Miyoko Davey Foundation, and a leadership gift from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.

Program support is provided by The Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation, Hisamitsu America, Inc., Paula S. Lawrence, Akiko Mikumo, Hiroko Onoyama, Jeanette C. Takamura, Nancy and Joe Walker, Estate of Alan M. Suhonen, and other Performing Arts supporters.

A heartfelt thank you to all who contributed in honor of Yoko Shioya’s 20th anniversary and ensure the continued success of the Performing Arts Program, including the Globus Family, Cheryl Henson, Laurent Hermout, Merit E. Janow, Eri Kakuta, Jun Makihara and Megumi Oka, Doug and Teresa Peterson, Richard and Momona Royce, Lyndley and Samuel Schwab, Shiseido Americas, Robin B. Stern and Jeffrey Stern, and Lance Stuart.

All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd. Is the official airline of the Japan Society Performing Arts Program. Yamaha is the official piano provider of Japan Society.

2025-26 Japan Society Season Support

Japan Society arts and culture programs are supported by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

Japan Society’s 120th anniversary initiatives and related programs are generously supported by Champion Sponsor, MUFG Bank, Ltd.; Advocate Sponsor, Mizuho Americas; and Friend Sponsor, Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas).