First Noh & Kyogen Program Witnessed by Americans

As the culminating celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the U.S.-Japan Treaty, members of Nohgaku Kyokai return to Japan Society after their sold-out performances in March of 2004. This association of 1,500 professional noh and kyogen performers, many of whom the Japanese government has designated Living National Treasures, offer a rare restaging of the First Noh & Kyogen Program Witnessed by Americans, presented in Japan in 1879. This historical event–which included President Ulysses S. Grant as an audience member–was documented in the diary of Noh Master Umewaka Minoru (1828-1909), whose great grandson, Master Umewaka Rokuro, is featured in this program.