The is a complex consisting of three halls in two buildings in Hayabusachō, a district in Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan. The Japan Arts Council, an

Independent Administrative Institution An Incorporated Administrative Agency (独立行政法人, ''Dokuritsu gyōsei hōjin'' or ''Dokugyo'' in abbreviation) is a type of legal corporation formulated by the Government of Japan under the Act on General Rules for Incorporated Administrat ...

of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, operates the National Theatre. It primarily stages performances of traditional Japanese performing arts.

Outline

The main building has two halls. The Large Theatre hosts performances of

kabuki is a classical form of Japanese dance- drama. Kabuki theatre is known for its heavily-stylised performances, the often-glamorous costumes worn by performers, and for the elaborate make-up worn by some of its performers. Kabuki is though ...

and '' Buyō'' as well as stage plays. The Small Hall specializes in ''

bunraku (also known as ) is a form of traditional Japanese puppet theatre, founded in Osaka in the beginning of the 17th century, which is still performed in the modern day. Three kinds of performers take part in a performance: the or (puppeteers ...

'', Japanese music, smaller ''buyō'' productions, '' gagaku'', ''

shōmyō is a style of Japanese Buddhist chant, used mainly in the Tendai and Shingon sects. There are two styles: ''ryokyoku'' and ''rikkyoku'', described as difficult and easy to remember, respectively. Shōmyō, like gagaku, employs the Yo scale, ...

'', and folk theatre. In a separate building, the Engei Hall stages '' rakugo'' and ''

manzai is a traditional style of comedy in Japanese culture comparable to double act comedy or stand-up comedy. usually involves two performers ()—a straight man () and a funny man ()—trading jokes at great speed. Most of the jokes revolve aro ...

'' performances. Each year in April, the awards ceremony for the Japan Prize takes place in the National Theatre. Attendees include the Emperor and Empress, the Prime Minister, the President of the House of Councillors, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Performances

The 1995 Japanese Drumming Concert, sponsored by the National Theatre of Japan, featured artists such as Tokyo Dagekidan. In 2010, a double bill of

Yukio Mishima , born , was a Japanese author, poet, playwright, actor, model, Shintoist, nationalist, and founder of the , an unarmed civilian militia. Mishima is considered one of the most important Japanese authors of the 20th century. He was considered fo ...

's ''

Iwashi Uri Koi Hikiami ''Iwashi Uri Koi No Hikiami'' (鰯賣戀引網 ''The Sardine Seller's Net of Love'') is a 1954 comedic Kabuki play by Yukio Mishima (三島由紀夫). It was first performed in November 1954 at the Kabukiza theatre in Tokyo, and was praised for i ...

'' and '' Roben Sugi no Yurai'' was performed. In February 2019, the Farewell Jubilee celebrations for the Emperor

Akihito is a member of the Imperial House of Japan who reigned as the 125th emperor of Japan from 7 January 1989 until his abdication on 30 April 2019. He presided over the Heisei era, ''Heisei'' being an expression of achieving peace worldwide. B ...

will take place.

References

External links

* Theatres in Tokyo Arts centres in Japan Theatres completed in 1966 Buildings and structures in Chiyoda, Tokyo 1966 establishments in Japan {{Japan-theat-struct-stub