VISIT KANAZAWA, JAPAN - Official Travel Guide

Going to Kanazawa to Enjoy Noh Performance

In Kanazawa people often say “Noh chants fall from the sky”, which means even gardeners working at the top of trees casually sing Noh chants to themselves. It proves that not only samurai warriors and merchants but also the common people enjoyed Noh performance. The Kaga Hosho school of Noh is designated as an intangible cultural asset of Kanazawa. The art of Noh is recognized as one of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

Visit the Kanazawa Noh Museum, and you can enjoy Noh performance DVDs, the curator’s explanations from an actual Noh stage, and a precious costume and mask exhibit. You may even participate in a workshop and practice part of a Noh performance.

Needless to say, the Museum provides you with numerous opportunities to understand the charm of the Kaga Hosho school of Noh. At the Ishikawa Prefectural Noh Theater you can enjoy regularly scheduled performances and seminars. Why not come to Kanazawa and enjoy the art of Noh?

Enjoy Geisha Performances to the fullest in the Higashi, Nishi and Kazue-machi chaya Districts

Characterized by their lattice windows, these lovely old wooden Geisha houses have been well preserved. Geishas in Kanazawa value their customs and ceremonies, handed down from generation to generation since the feudal era. Refined dance performances and the playing of various musical instruments have also been handed down.

Usually almost every Chaya (Geisha house) will refuse service to clients without an introduction. However, more casual events are also held, allowing anyone to enjoy Geisha singing and dancing.

Lessons on how to play the Ozashiki Daiko drums are also given. Why not organize a tour to Kanazawa and enjoy the sophistication of Geisha culture? In September the Kanazawa Odori is held. All Geishas from the three Chaya Districts give sophisticated and refined performances on stage.

Deeply connected to Kanazawa's history

Cha-no-yu (Chado) is considered to have started in the Muromachi period (1336-1573). During the Sengoku period (1467-1568), Chado was one of the necessary accomplishments of a samurai warrior. Tea ceremonies were utilized as a symbol of samurai warriors’ power and prestige. They also served as a place to entertain their guests.

The first feudal lord, Maeda Toshiie, learned Chado from Sen-no-Rikyu, a great tea master, as well as Oda Urakusai, and helped develop Chado in the Kaga fiefdom. The third feudal lord, Maeda Toshitsune, invited Sen Soshitsu (Senso) of the Urasenke school of tea ceremony and took lessons from him. Thus the Urasenke school of tea ceremony has flourished in the Kaga fiefdom. When the fifth feudal lord, Maeda Tsunanori, governed Kanazawa, even artisans and townspeople enjoyed tea ceremony and acquired its etiquette.

In Kanazawa today, many people enjoy tea ceremony, taking lessons from tea masters of the Urasenke, Enshu and Sowa schools of tea ceremony. At historic buildings and gardens, various tea ceremonies are held all through the year.

Play a Japanese Musical Instrument

During the Edo period (1603-1867) samurai warriors’ wives and daughters would lean the Koto (Japanese zither) and Shamisen or Sangen (three strings) . Even today, quite a few women study these traditional musical instruments.

There are fewer and fewer artisans who practice koto-crafting as an art form, decorating it with the Makie or Raden (mother of pearl). Luckily there are still a number of Kanazawa shops where these skilled artisans continue to ply their trade. You can drop in at these shops and try your hand at Koto or the Shamisen. It will no doubt be a rare experience during your trip.