Kyogen Ancient Comic Play
Kyogen is a kind of comic play performed as an interlude for Noh plays and spoken in the everyday language of the time.
Kyogen pieces have been handed down from the 15th century. It may be regarded as a form of art consisting of a primitive dance including acrobatic stunts performed at the time of rice planting or in supplication to the Gods for a rich harvest at shrine festivals. After the 16th century, Kyogen became exclusive among the people especially in the warrior class as one of their accomplishments under the patronage of the Shogunate at that time.
Its
realism - directly opposite from the symbolism of Noh as well as its dialogue
content have begun to attract the attention of dramatic critics.
Today, two schools of Kyogen are extent - the Okura and the Izumi schools. Masks
are used only in a few Kyogen pieces, unlike in Noh plays.
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