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Continuity & Connection
A concert of traditional and innovative Japanese noh performance and jazz piano

Between Japan and other nations. Between this world and other worlds. You and I. Person to person. Hearts and minds.
The ongoing tradition of ancient noh performance linked to the modern sound of jazz piano.
A concert of artistic continuity and cultural connection.

• Saturday, February 28 - 7:30pm
• Koerner Recital Hall
• Vancouver Academy of Music / 1270 Chestnut Street, Vancouver


• featuring master noh actor, YAMAI Tsunao
• and jazz pianist/composer KIHARA Kentarô


• presented by The Consulate General of Japan in Vancouver & TomoeArts

Tickets $29 & $19 (students/seniors/group of 10+)
including tax and fees

Available at Tickets Tonight www.ticketstonight.ca
or by phone at 604-684-2787 (charges apply for phone sales)

As part of the 125th Anniversary of the Consulate-General of Japan in Vancouver, the Consulate and TomoeArts will present a concert of traditional and innovative Japanese noh dance and music featuring internationally acclaimed noh actor YAMAI Tsunao, and renowned jazz pianist KIHARA Kentarō. These artists will be joined by other noh actors and a complete ensemble of noh musicians for an evening of traditional noh chant and dance in collaboration with contemporary jazz piano.

Over 1400 years ago, the Komparu School of noh theatre existed in the ancient Japanese capital of Nara, and was performed as a ritual to bring about peace and happiness. Today, Yamao Tsunao maintains the Komparu Noh tradition, and uses the depth of practice to bring a level of strength and sophistication to new, innovative collaborations.

In this concert, master artists will share the ancient tradition of noh ritual performance through tradition and innovation. Master noh performers will chant sections of Okina, a noh ritual of fertility and new beginnings; a full ensemble of noh musicians & actors will perform a section of Takasago, a play celebrating unity and good fortune; and YAMAI Tsunao, in full noh costume, will don a mask onstage and dance an excerpt of Hagoromo, a play about an angel come to earth to teach the dances of heaven to humankind. The concert will culminate with YAMAI Tsunao dancing KIZUNA, a new collaboration performed with renowned jazz pianist KIHARA Kentarō, in honour of the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, and offered as a prayer for future world peace.

General admission. House opens at 7:00. Performance runs approximately 90 minutes without an intermission. Some free parking on the east side of the VAMS building. Pay parking available next to the Vancouver Museum.


YAMAI Tsunao's Website in Japanese
KIHARA Kentarô's website mostly Japanese with some English
The-Noh.com a website devoted to all things about the art of noh in English
A map to the Koerner Hall and Vancouver Academy of Music

YAMAI Tsunao will be teaching a workshop on noh dance and chant in Vancouver March 8-12, 2015. More information