Kyōgen (狂言) Lecture and Performance

Kyōgen is the name for a dramatic style and repertoire of short comic plays that form one of the oldest theatrical traditions in Japan. Though developed in the 14th century, kyōgen is still performed today: both as an independent form (hon-kyōgen) and as an interlude during the more serious Noh theater (ai-kyōgen). The stories featured in the humorous plays of the kyōgen theater treat the daily lives of everyday people. Focused on the world of the common man and woman, the plays are full of satire. The kyōgen theatrical tradition is highly accessible to viewers today, who can easily sympathize with the laments and problems that the individuals encounter.