"There is silence in the midst of laughter" The mysterious time known as Kyogen

"There is silence in the midst of laughter" - The mysterious time known as Kyogen

One spring day in Kyoto, we encountered laughter.
It wasn't a loud laugh, but a quiet, heartwarming one.
On stage, the masked men spoke in ancient language, as if they were talking about the troubles of our modern times.
Although the words are from a distant time, they somehow feel familiar.
The movement is slow, yet somehow it moves me.

That was Kyogen.

Kyogen is a traditional Japanese performing art that has been around since the Muromachi period.
It is performed in tandem with Noh, and while Noh is a "still" art, Kyogen is also said to be a "dynamic" art.
However, this "movement" is not a violent one.
Rather, the rhythm and pauses of the words are contained within the slow movements.
This "space" creates a space in the viewer's mind.

Kyogen stages do not have modern lighting or sound systems.
All we have are words, bodies, and silence.
In that silence, the audience's imagination is awakened,
Laughter and empathy are born, and time passes when you suddenly find yourself reflecting on yourself.

The appeal of Kyogen lies in its humorous portrayal of the lives, failures, and small desires of ordinary people.
For example, a man who tries to steal a fish but fails.
A man who pretends to make a wish to God, but in reality is trying to get his own way.
A man lies to his wife and tries to go out.
It depicts a lovable cunningness that is somehow relatable to us today.

The laughter doesn't hurt anyone.
There is a kindness in it, as if gently holding up a mirror and saying, "People have these kinds of sides to them."
Kyogen characters are not perfect.
Rather, he is a bit absent-minded and greedy, but you can't hate him.
That's why, perhaps, we can laugh and be a little more forgiving of ourselves.

WABISUKE values ​​"silence," "space," and "resonance."
This is also true of the pauses and word choice in Kyogen.
For example, in Kyogen, not only the meaning but also the sound of the lines is important.
There is a sense that the words are dancing.

When we choose words for our blogs or product introductions,
We are conscious of not just communicating, but also making our message resonate.
Words are not just for conveying information,
It carries emotions, memories, the air, and even the seasons.
Kyogen teaches us this.

Also, there is a lot of blank space on the Kyogen stage.
A minimally decorated stage, simple costumes, and limited props.
This allows the audience's imagination to run free.
This is also connected to the "aesthetics of white space" that WABISUKE values.
By not telling everything, a story is born in the receiver's mind.
Kyogen is also such a "participatory art."

Kyogen may look difficult, but it is actually a very accessible performing art.
Recently, a kyogen play based on "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba" has also appeared.
Young audience members can be seen laughing as they watch the play.
Even though archaic language is used, something can be conveyed through movements, facial expressions, and timing.
It's like a "poetry of the body" that transcends language.

Kyogen performers also value maintaining a close relationship with the audience.
Through words and movements, he gently crosses the "invisible line" between the stage and the audience.
At that moment, we are no longer just spectators, but become part of the story.

Watching Kyogen is not just about laughing.
"So this is how people live,"
It's also a time to reflect on yourself.
It doesn't have to be perfect.
Even if you're a little bit sneaky or make a few mistakes, people will still love you.
Such a message is contained in the quiet laughter.

To everyone who experiences the world of WABISUKE,
I would like everyone to experience the "quiet laughter" that is Kyogen at least once.
It is not entertainment from the past, but something that resonates with us who live in the present.
It is a "living tradition."