"Aoi no Ue" will be performed at the Kanze Noh Theater on May 30, 2026 at 6:00 PM.
On Saturday, May 30, 2026, we will be holding "NOH NIGHT," an interactive event where you can experience the traditional Japanese performing art of Noh in a completely new way, at the Kanze Noh Theatre (Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo).
The event will feature Masayuki Mano, a Kanze-ryu Noh actor and holder of the Important Intangible Cultural Property designation, as the lead actor, and DJ RENA, who became the youngest ever winner (at the age of 12) of the 2017 DMC World DJ Championships, as the DJ. The event will consist of three parts: a DJ performance, a talk session, and a performance of the Noh play "Aoi no Ue".
The combination of Noh theater and DJing at the Kanze Noh Theatre, which boasts a history of over 650 years, will create a symbolic night where young people, mainly in their 20s and 30s, will gather at the Kanze Noh Theatre.
Kanze Noh Theater
■ Program
This event is structured in three parts, each with its own independent structure, yet designed to provide a multifaceted experience of Japanese culture throughout the evening.
[Part 1] DJ Performance (DJ RENA)
DJ RENA, the youngest ever winner of a world championship, will create a welcoming atmosphere with music. This opening performance, unique to this event, will see contemporary music resonating with the traditional space of a Noh theater.
[Part Two] Talk Session <br />A talk session will be held to explain the background and highlights of Noh theater. It is structured so that even attendees who are seeing Noh for the first time can fully understand the worldview and highlights of the play "Aoi no Ue" that will be performed.
[Part Three] Performance of the Noh play "Aoi no Ue" This performance is based on the "Aoi" chapter of Murasaki Shikibu's "The Tale of Genji," and is a representative Noh play. The vengeful spirit of Lady Rokujo torments Aoi no Ue, the principal wife of Hikaru Genji—the complex interplay of human emotions such as deep affection, jealousy, and pride is depicted with tension and beauty through the restrained movements and chanting unique to Noh. This play, which deals with themes that are universally relevant even today, such as human passions and emotional fluctuations, is a work that can easily evoke emotional resonance even in younger generations who are watching Noh for the first time.
■ Performer Profiles
Masaki Umano
Kanze-ryu Noh performer. Holder of the Comprehensive Designation of Important Intangible Cultural Property.
Within the Kanze school, a major school of Noh theater, they actively engage in modern performances while preserving tradition, and are active both domestically and internationally.
In this performance, she will play the lead role (shite) in "Aoi no Ue".
DJ RENA
In 2017, he won the DMC World DJ Championship, known as the world's most prestigious DJ battle competition. At the age of 12, he became the youngest winner in history.
Since then, he has been active in various parts of the world, including Dubai, New York, and London, and will participate in this performance as a world-renowned DJ who symbolizes the next generation.
■ Organizer's comment
Shin Nakatsuji
"Japan has a culture that we can be proud of on a global scale, yet surprisingly few young people have the opportunity to experience it. I myself am one of those who have come to appreciate the profound depth of Japanese culture through the tea ceremony. 'NOH NIGHT' is an attempt to create a space where people of my generation can naturally come and enjoy Noh without compromising its essential beauty. I believe it's important not only to preserve tradition, but also to deliver it in a way that the next generation can understand and relate to."
KAMIÉLLE TOKYO
"We are a salon brand that combines the quiet aesthetic sense inherent in Japanese culture with the sensibilities of modern women to propose 'experiences for living beautifully.' 'NOH NIGHT' is not a place to simply appreciate culture, but a place that inspires you to incorporate it into your own style. We aim to contribute to the creation of new values."
Kaneshi Kaneshige Kintora : "Throughout my career in the fields of culture and entertainment, where I've worked to create experiential value for the next generation, I've felt that Japan's world-renowned culture is not connected to modern sensibilities and daily life. 'NOH NIGHT' is an attempt to position Noh as an extension of contemporary culture. Tradition can only be passed down when it is renewed. We aim for this event to be an opportunity to spread Japanese culture not as 'knowledge,' but as an 'experience.'"
Shin Nakatsuji
KAMIÉLLE TOKYO
Kinsei Kintora
■ Event Overview
Event name: NOH NIGHT
Date: Saturday, May 30, 2026
Event time: Doors open at 5:00 PM / Performance starts at 6:00 PM Venue: Kanze Noh Theater (Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo)
Program: Noh play "Aoi no Ue"
Performers: Masaki Mano (Shite), DJ RENA
Organizers: Shin Nakatsuji / KAMIÉLLE TOKYO / Kinsei Kintora Official website: https://nohnight.jinen-an.com
[Noh Night] Press Release
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