About us
Activities as a Ministry of Education “Center for Research”
People / Organization Structure
Starting in 2012, the Nogami Memorial Noh Theatre Research Institute has been recognized by the Japanese Ministry of Education (MEXT) as a “Center for International and Interdisciplinary Research”. This is a system which aims to implement infrastructure for the purpose of strengthening and further developing Japan’s academic facilities, by designating universities which are to become Centers for Joint Usage and Research, core facilities for the advancement of each discipline. The Noh Theatre Research Institute has worked since its founding in 1952 to gather rare materials, chiefly antique books, and as a rule has made them all public. Furthermore, it has achieved prolific results in all fields of research in collaboration with researchers and performers of nō from inside and outside Japan.
Building on these past achievements, the Institute’s purpose as a Ministry of Education “Center for Research” is to provide spaces and opportunities for as many researchers as possible from Japan and abroad, and thereby to advance nō research on an international and interdisciplinary level.
Activities as a Ministry of Education “Center for Research”
In order to establish new traditions of nō research from international and interdisciplinary perspectives, we aim to create new research based on diverse points of view responsive to nō as a multimedia art form and to share methodologies across national boundaries, while at the same time continuing to do rigorous research based on documentary evidence.
In order to achieve the above aims, we at the Center have chosen a set theme and are carrying out two types of research: Collaborative Research on a Set Theme, and Collaborative Research through Open Recruitment.
Collaborative Research on a Set Theme
This is research centered on nō theatre which we carry out by gathering research teams from and collaborating with institutions and researchers in Japan and abroad.
1. Bibliographical and philological research on materials held by the Noh Theatre Research Institute
2. Interdisciplinary research on nō in the Edo period
3. Comprehensive research on staging and performance techniques in the Nō theatre
4. Nō research aimed at building new methodologies from an international perspective
Collaborative Research through Open Recruitment
This is research proposed by researchers and teams outside the Center on broad themes, which are selected for funding by the Center.
