Kita-ryu
The silent stage where the soul speaks
What is Noh
Noh is Japan’s oldest performing art — a sublime fusion of poetry, music, and movement that has been refined over more than six centuries.
Characterised by its slow, deliberate gestures, chant-like vocals, and elegant masks, Noh expresses deep human emotions and spiritual themes through subtlety rather than spectacle.
Originally performed for the samurai elite, Noh is not only a form of theatre but also a discipline of mindfulness — where each step, breath, and sound embodies centuries of artistic and spiritual cultivation.
About Kita-ryu
The Kita-ryu school traces its lineage to Kita Shichidayu Nagayoshi (1586–1653), a prodigious performer who first gained fame as a child when he danced Hagoromo before Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
Known for his exceptional talent, he later became an attendant to Hideyoshi and helped shape a distinct school of Noh that blended refinement, strength, and emotional depth.
After the fall of Osaka, Nagayoshi was brought to Edo at the invitation of the Tokugawa shogunate, who admired his artistry. He was permitted to found his own school — Kita-ryu — recognised alongside the traditional four Noh lineages.
Kita-ryu is admired for its dynamic and expressive movement, lyrical vocal tone, and disciplined grace. It is said to embody the harmony of stillness and motion — the essence of beauty that lies between restraint and release.
What You Will Experience
In this introductory session, participants are invited to explore the world of Kita-ryu Noh through two core practices:
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Shimai — the elegant movement training that refines posture, presence, and control.
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Utai — the vocal recitation that nurtures breathing, projection, and composure.
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You will learn how a single, deliberate motion or quiet breath can convey deep emotion and focus the spirit.
Through this experience, Noh reveals itself not as a distant classical art, but as a living path to awareness, discipline, and serenity.
No special clothing is required — participants may wear ordinary attire, with tabi (split-toed socks) provided for practice.
Key Points
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Private or small-group instruction
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English interpretation available
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No prior experience required
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All materials provided
Practical information
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Duration approx. 2 hours
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No special clothing required
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Advance booking required
Meet the instructor
Keisuke Shiotsu, Kita-ryu Noh Performer
Born in Tokyo in 1984 as the eldest son of Tetsuo Shiotsu, a leading performer of the Kita-ryū school, Mr Keisuke Shiotsu made his stage debut at the age of three. Raised in a family devoted to Noh, he grew up immersed in its practice and philosophy.
Although his path was not without struggle, he was ultimately captivated by the profound power of Noh — that rare moment when performer and audience become perfectly aligned, creating an almost spiritual resonance. This pursuit of harmony and presence continues to inspire his life’s work.
Today, Mr Shiotsu carries forward his family’s artistic legacy with humility and dedication, seeking to share the timeless beauty of Noh with contemporary audiences while preserving its authentic spirit.
