Exhibition/event has ended.

Rest in Our Ordinary Everyday Life – Perspectives on Nohgaku and Tourism

Nakanakano
Finished

Artists

Takara Mahaya, Kazuki Hayamizu, Miina Yamaguchi
In the quiet residential area of Higashi-Nakano, Tokyo, the sacred "Hare" space of the Umewaka Noh Theatre Academy, maintained by the Umewaka family from Nara, and the everyday "Ke" space of the café Nakakana, which operates adjacent to the Noh theatre, will host an exhibition titled "From Ke to Z - Noh, Landscapes, Tourism" from September 6th to 14th, starting at sunset.

The terms "Hare" and "Ke" represent opposing yet interconnected worlds or times, with a clear distinction traditionally maintained between the sacred and the everyday. Historically, this division allowed for the transition between the sacred, extraordinary world and the mundane, everyday life, helping to recover from "Kegare" (the depletion of energy necessary for daily life) and ensuring the circulation of vital energy. However, in modern Japan, particularly in urban Tokyo, the "Hare" spaces have become mass-produced and consumed daily through tourism and entertainment, leading to a blurred distinction between "Hare" and "Ke" and a decreased presence in the "Ke" state.

Conversely, the everyday "Ke" is formed through repetition, maintaining balance through various repetitive activities. For example, walking involves the repetitive motion of alternating steps, while people’s activities in daily life, such as operating smartphones or working in a café, involve a continuous sequence of actions. Observing Noh performances, one might find that being in a slightly drowsy state is not necessarily negative, with the concept of "dream-like" states arising from cycles of sleep and wakefulness. In Noh, stories progress through encounters with non-human entities and journeys into otherworldly realms, often through "losing oneself" in a trance-like state.

This project focuses on "Z" as a state of being, reflecting on the current continuity of "Hare." By applying the spatial and narrative structures of Noh to the everyday "Ke" and exploring nearby areas as part of a tour, the exhibition aims to facilitate the transition from "Hare" to "Ke" in urban spaces. Collaborating with others, the project will also practice observing and editing the "Ke" aspects hidden in daily life and urban space.

The exhibition will run from September 6th to 14th, with the "Hare to Ke" transition tours taking place at sunset on September 7th, 8th, and 14th. Feel free to visit and enjoy a leisurely detour.

Schedule

Sep 6 (Fri) 2024-Sep 14 (Sat) 2024 

Opening Hours Information

Hours
17:00-23:00
(Open from sunset until 11:00 PM)
Closed
Wednesday
FeeFree
VenueNakanakano
https://www.instagram.com/nakanakano_/?hl=ja
Location2-6-14 Higashinakano, Nakano-ku, Tokyo 164-0003
Access8 minute walk from exit A2 at Nakano-sakaue Station on the Marunouchi or Toei Oedo line, 8 minute walk from Higashi-nakano Station on the JR Chuo Sobu or Toei Oedo line.
Phone03-6908-7038
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