Ohori Park Noh Theater in Fukuoka City, marking its 40th anniversary this year, regularly offers opportunities to experience Noh and other traditional arts. On October 17, as part of the Fukuoka Prefectural Arts and Culture Festival, the theater will host Fukuoka Traditional Performing Arts Festa 2026 (Fukugei FUKUGEI), bringing together Noh, chikuzen biwa and a wide range of other traditional performing arts in a single program.
The day before, on October 16, the theater will also hold a hands-on "Traditional Performing Arts Experience Workshop" covering Noh and rakugo. Last year's edition drew a full house, and both the festa and the workshop are free to attend.
More information is available on the official website: fukugei.com
Event Overview
1. Schedule
(1) Traditional Performing Arts Festa
Saturday, October 17, 2026 — performance begins 2:00 PM (doors open 1:00 PM)
(2) Traditional Performing Arts Experience Workshop
① Noh workshop: Friday, October 16, 2026, 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM (check-in from 12:30 PM)
② Rakugo workshop: Friday, October 16, 2026, 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM (check-in from 4:00 PM)
2. Venue
Ohori Park Noh Theater (1-5 Ohorikoen, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City)
3. Program
(1) Traditional Performing Arts Festa
Japanese Dance — Japanese Dance Medley: "Tsurukame," "Fujimusume," "Yuzen Sarashi," "Sakura Sakura"
Wakayagi Jugiku
Third-generation head of the Jugiku school of the Wakayagi school of Japanese dance. Wanting to pass on Japanese traditional culture and spirit to a wide range of generations, she also teaches children's classes and gives lessons at nursery schools.
Japanese dance grew out of Kabuki in the Edo period, developing around mai and odori. For this performance, she will present a "Japanese Dance Medley" of "Tsurukame," "Fujimusume," "Yuzen Sarashi" and "Sakura Sakura" with seven dancers, including elementary and junior high school students.
Chikuzen Biwa — "Nasu no Yoichi" from The Tale of the Heike
Terada Chobi
Head of the Chikuzen Biwa Preservation Society and instructor of the Reisei school. She began chikuzen biwa at age four and has worked to pass on and develop the art form in Fukuoka, its birthplace, sharing its appeal widely. Beyond regular recitals, she performs at Hakata Dontaku, shrines and temples, festivals and other events, and also focuses on training the next generation of performers.
This performance presents the famous scene "Nasu no Yoichi" from The Tale of the Heike.
Noh — "Yashima," "Hagoromo," "Funa Benkei"
Kunuki Hirono
Born in Ibaraki Prefecture, now based in Fukuoka City. Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property (general recognition) status, and original author of the new Noh works "Hakata Yamakasa" and "Hibaru Zakura." Together with fellow Hosho-school performers Yamaoka Harumi, Ishiguro Mito and Kashiyama Satoko, he will present "Yashima," in which the spirit of Minamoto no Yoshitsune tells a traveling priest of the Battle of Yashima; "Hagoromo," known for the beautiful dance of a heavenly maiden wearing a feathered robe; and "Funa Benkei," depicting the parting of Yoshitsune's party and Shizuka Gozen and the battle with the spirit of Taira no Tomomori.
Shigin (Chinese-poem chanting) — "Sanju no Shutei ni Asobu" and others
Morita Kosei
Born in Kagoshima Prefecture, based in Fukuoka Prefecture. He has studied shigin since childhood and specializes in Chinese poems rich in scenic description.
His piece "Sanju no Shutei ni Asobu" is set at a restaurant beside the Kamo River in Kyoto, depicting a moment of enjoying beautiful scenery over drinks with a friend. Through rain and mist, the scenery of the old capital comes into view, and a temple bell can be heard slowly ringing beyond the flowers — a scene of an elegant spring evening.
Gagaku x Contemporary Dance — "Etenraku" and others
Nakayama Hiroshi / KOTOHA / loco
A collaboration between three performers based around Nogata and Fukuchiyama: ryuteki flutist Nakayama Hiroshi, dancer KOTOHA, and dyer loco.
In this piece, titled "Kukyo Ten'i," the resonance of gagaku passed down over a long span of time meets contemporary dance that captures the world through the body in the present moment, dissolving the boundary between them to express a "crossing of time."
Kagura — "Shiki"
Iyasaka Kagura-za
Iyasaka Kagura-za was formed from a wish to create a place where gods and people can laugh and enjoy themselves together.
The piece "Shiki" (Four Seasons) looks up in gratitude at the blessings of the gods found in the cycle of heaven and earth and the changing seasons, celebrating the joy of living alongside nature. Through kagura songs, it offers deep thanks and prayers to the gods for the scenery woven by the seasons and the ceaseless cycle of life.
Shamisen — Folk piece "Tanuki"
Fujimoto Sae
Grand master of the Fujimoto school. She began Fujimoto-school shamisen at age six and now performs and teaches based in Fukuoka City.
"Tanuki" is based on the 19th-century nagauta piece "Mukashibanashi Tanuki." Drawing on tanuki folk tales such as the Bunbuku Chagama and Kachikachi Yama, it is characterized by a structure that incorporates shinnai-nagashi and joruri-style narration. In the Meiji and Taisho eras it was performed at yose halls by ukiyobushi master Tachibanaya Kitsunosuke and became widely loved as one of her signature pieces.
Rakugo — Program to be decided on the day
Tachibanaya Bunta
A rakugo performer from Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture, and a member of the Rakugo Kyokai. Winner of the 80th West Japan Culture Award Encouragement Prize. He tours the country in "Rakugo Car," a mobile theater that recreates the atmosphere of a yose hall, to spread rakugo culture.
His program will be decided to suit the venue on the day — audiences can look forward to the surprise.
In the lobby, 茶時遊空間 will serve Japanese tea, and Iyasaka Kagura-za will display costumes and props.
(2) Traditional Performing Arts Experience Workshop
① Noh workshop — "Try on a Noh mask! An encounter with the unknown: the Noh mask experience"
Instructor: Kunuki Hirono. Ages: elementary school students to adults. Capacity: 30.
② Rakugo workshop — "You too can take the stage! The rakugo performer experience"
Instructor: Tachibanaya Bunta. Ages: elementary school students to adults. Capacity: 20.
4. Registration
- Free to attend.
- Seating is limited, so advance registration is recommended (first-come, first-served).
(Registration period: September 11 to October 16, 2026) - Advance registration is required for the Traditional Performing Arts Experience Workshop.
(Registration period: September 11 to October 11, 2026)
About Ohori Park Noh Theater
Built in 1986 in Ohori Park, Fukuoka City, as the prefecture's first modern Noh theater, to preserve and pass on traditional culture such as Noh and other Japanese performing arts and to promote and spread culture among prefectural residents.
With 562 seats, it is one of Japan's leading Noh theaters and has introduced the appeal of traditional culture to many visitors over the years.
Today, alongside Noh and other traditional performing arts, the venue also hosts concerts, conferences and events across a wide range of genres.
About the Fukuoka Prefectural Arts and Culture Festival
An autumn festival of arts and culture held from October to December at venues across Fukuoka Prefecture, offering prefectural residents opportunities to experience dance, music, traditional performing arts and more close at hand.
