Consul General of Japan Hisao Yamaguchi (left)
welcomes University of Toronto Professor Emeritus Frank Hoff (centre)
and Brock University Professor Jane Leavitt (right).
Two prominent experts on Noh theatre gave introductory presentation on this traditional Japanese art form at The Japan Foundation Toronto on Jan. 29. Frank Hoff, Professor Emeritus of the University of Toronto's East Asian Studies Department, presented a film he made of an intimate dance performance by legendary Noh performer Hisao Kanze. The second speaker of the evening, Jane Leavitt, Professor of Dramatic Arts at Brock University, expressed her views on Noh which stem from her experiences of actually studying the art formally in Japan.
This event was hosted by the Consulate General of Japan and The Canadian "Noh" Organizing Committee. This Committee was established in order to plan and administrate the full scale Noh performance to be held in Toronto and Ottawa in November of this year. These performances will be headed by celebrated Noh master Haruhisa Kawamura and will invovle a cast and crew of 25 people coming from Japan. The objective of the Toronto portion of its tour will be to celebrate the completion of the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal at the Royal Ontario Museum, and to promote interest and understanding of Japanese culture in Canada..
Consul General of Japan Hisao Yamaguchi explained the intention behind organizing the presentations by Prof. Hoff and Prof. Leavitt. "Noh can be an esoteric art form for the uninitiated to fully appreciate," said Consul General of Japan Hisao Yamaguchi in his opening remarks "In order both to promote the upcoming Noh performance at the ROM, and at the same time to prepare ourselves for that occasion, we have asked two renowned experts on the subject to give presentations of their perspectives on the world's oldest continuing form of theatre."
Afterwards, the audience was given an opportunity to meet with the speakers over refreshments provided by the Japanese Restaurant Association of Canada.