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AsiaAlive: Art of Laughter—The Kyogen Theater of Japan
Thursdays through Sundays, July 9 through 19
12:00 noon – 4:00 pm, North Court.
Free with admission
Be a part of the living tradition of Japanese Kyogen theater—kyogen literally means “wild speech” or “comical tales”—with Izumi Junko and Miyake Tokuro from Japan. They will demonstrate performance techniques and discuss their careers as the first female performers in this male-dominated field. Daughters of the nineteenth head of the Izumi school of Kyogen, Izumi and Miyake have been pioneers for opening the Kyogen stage to women while strictly following the rules of their art.
In conjunction with the special exhibition Lords of the Samurai.
Cosponsored with the Japan Society and the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco.
About the artists:
Izumi Junko
The first daughter of the 19th generation head master of the Izumi School of Kyogen, Izumi Junko first appeared on the Kyogen stage at the age of three. She became the first professional female player in the male-dominated world of Kyogen, and a letter of appreciation from the Minister of Education in 1989. Her daughter, Izumi Kyoko, also appeared on stage at the age of three and is being trained to succeed this lineage of female Kyogen players.
Miyake Tokuro
The second daughter of the 19th generation head master of the Izumi school of Kyogen, Miyake Tokuro was born in 1972 and first appeared on the stage at the age of three. In 1989, she inherited her grandfather's stage name Miyake Tokuro and received a letter of appreciation from the Minister of Education. She regularly performs on stage and holds educational workshops for elementary and middle school students throughout Japan.
Together, Izumi and Miyake have performed Kyogen dramas in 30 cities in 12 countries including Italy, the UK, China, and the USA.
Izumi Junko and Miyake Tokuro will perform Kyogen drama with their brother
Izumi Motoya, the 20th generation head master of the Izumi School of Kyogen, on July 16 in Samsung Hall. For ticket information, please see here.
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