Commemorating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Singapore (SJ60), the Japan Foundation (JF) organized performances of Kurokawa Noh, originating from Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture and designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan. The performances were featured at A Tapestry of Sacred Music 2026, a festival presented by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, Singapore’s national performing arts center. This marked a rare opportunity for Kurokawa Noh to be highlighted in the festival showcasing sacred performing arts and religious music from around the world.

In addition to the main performances, a lecture-demonstration was also held at the Japan Creative Centre (JCC). The session featured Prof. Lim Beng Choo, Head of the Japanese Studies Department at the National University of Singapore (NUS), renowned for her extensive knowledge of Japanese performing arts, including Noh. Through live demonstrations of the Noh performers, the lecture explored the spiritual foundations and aesthetic qualities of Kurokawa Noh as a form of “shinji noh,” a sacred ritual performance rooted in local community traditions.

We expect that these projects will further deepen cultural exchange between Japan and Singapore through the enduring appeal of Kurokawa Noh—preserved and passed down for over 500 years through the profound faith of local communities and their devotion to the Noh theatre.

Kurokawa Noh Performance at Esplanade

Lecture-Demonstration at JCC