Experience a rare presentation of traditional Japanese noh theater as esteemed members from the Kita Noh School, including Akiyo Tomoeda, Living National Treasure designated by the Japanese government, perform works from noh theater’s classical repertoire: “Kotei” (The Emperor) and “Makura Jido (Chrysanthemum Boy). “Kotei” will be performed on December 1 and December 3, while “Makura Jido” will be one night only on December 2. Performed in Japanese with English supertitles. A pre-performance lecture by Princeton University Professor Thomas Hare begins one hour prior to the start of each show (Free & Open to all ticketholders).

Set in the Tang Dynasty in China, Kotei tells the story of the deity Shoki, who rescues the ailing Empress Yang Guifei and pledges his allegiance to Emperor Xuanzong. Also set in China, Makura Jido is about a boy who has joyfully lived for 700 years by drinking an immortal elixir from the dew of a chrysanthemum leaf. The boy reveals that the dew has created a pool in the valley, which has become the headspring for medicinal water. Both programs are preceded by short pieces in the traditional formats to show excerpts of noh plays, including Mai-bayashi, in which a performer without a costume or mask dances to live music; shimai, in which a performer without a costume or mask dances to chanting; and su-bayashi, featuring music only, performed by four noh musicians.