Noh, the 600-year-old performing art featuring drummers, chorus singers and masked actors, has survived in the modern world to this day thanks to its loyal, though aging, fan base. But as with many other traditional art forms, it is in dire need of new talent.
Hajime Tazaki, at 22, is one of those rare young performers and a rising star of the Hosho school, one of the five major schools of noh. On Aug. 21, he will share the fruits of his dedication to the art form with his performance in the folklore-inspired play "Sessho-seki" ("The Killing Stone") at the Yarai Nogakudo Theater in Tokyo. Playing a leading role, he will portray the evil spirit of an old fox who has been transformed into a stone that kills whoever passes by.
"While noh is often said to be difficult to understand, the story of this play is fun to follow," said Tazaki, who — immaculately clad in a plain black kimono — took a break at his practice studio for an interview last week. "It's short but packed with action, so it should be interesting for anyone," he explained.