The "Isseikai" performance, featuring Kikunojo Onoe III, the fourth headmaster of the Onoe school of Japanese dance, and Ippei Shigeyama, a Noh actor and Kyogen performer from the Shigeyama Sengoro family of the Okura school, will be held on Saturday, October 31st and Sunday, November 1st, 2026 at the Cerulean Tower Noh Theatre in Tokyo, and on Saturday, December 5th, 2026 at the Kongo Noh Theatre in Kyoto.
"Itsuseikai" is a two-person theater group that started in 2009. While cherishing the classical traditions of Japanese dance and Kyogen, they also work on new pieces that transcend genres, and have produced more than 10 original works to date.
The highlight of the 2026 performances is the premiere of the new work "Origami," with a script by Riko Sakaguchi and music by Takao Fujisha. The story follows two men who spend their days relentlessly creating something. At first glance, it looks like they are playing with origami, but they are actually following instructions given to them daily by their "master." The two men continue to create without knowing the purpose, and their "master" remains enigmatic. Anticipation is high to see what kind of story world will be created by the combination of Japanese dance and Kyogen, two different forms of expression.
Along with new works, classical pieces showcasing the unique charm of each performer will also be presented. In Tokyo, in addition to dances such as "Hitori Kagekiyo" and "Matsu no Shirabe" by Onoe Kikunojo, the Kyogen plays "Sugigawa," "Sohachi," "Ukon Sakon," and "Sakka" will be performed on a rotating basis. In Kyoto, the dance "Gojobashi," depicting the famous scene where Ushiwakamaru and Benkei meet at Gojobashi, and the Kyogen play "Ka-sumo" will be performed.
This collaboration promises to be unique to the "Itsuseikai" group, which has consistently showcased both the inheritance of classical traditions and the creation of new forms of expression on a single stage.
What is "Isseikai"?
Founded in 2009, "Itsuseikai" is a joint performance group by dancer Kikunojo Onoe and Noh actor/Kyogen performer Ippei Shigeyama. They create and perform classical works from both Japanese dance and Kyogen, as well as new works that transcend genre boundaries. Over the past 17 years, they have created more than 10 original Itseikai works that fuse Japanese dance and Kyogen, sometimes inviting guests and crossing genre boundaries.
Highlights of the new "Origami"
Two men, day after day, simply create something. It may look like they are just playing with origami, but they are creating according to instructions from their "master." The instructions from their master change every day. They create day after day without being told what the purpose is. Who is their "master"? What are these two men creating for? A new direction for Itseikai's creativity is about to begin here? This latest work features a script by Riko Sakaguchi.
◆“Itseikai” 2026
Tokyo performances: Saturday, October 31st, 2026 and Sunday, November 1st, 2026
Venue: Cerulean Tower Noh Theater
Kyoto performance: Saturday, December 5, 2026
Venue: Kongo Noh Theater
Price: 8,000 yen (all seats reserved, tax included)
General release: Tuesday, September 1, 2026, 10:00 AM
Ticket applications: Advance applications will begin on August 25th (Tuesday) at 10:8 AM via the fan club below.
Kikunojo FAN CLUB:https://fanclove.jp/club/kikunojo3
Club SOJA:https://kyotokyogen.com/soja/
General ticket sales begin September 1st (Tuesday) at 10:9 AM via the Onoe School and Shigeyama Sengoro websites. Inquiries: Shigeyama Kyogen Association Office 075-221-8371
尾上流事務所 03-3541-6344 /チケット関連は03-6803-8175(平日10:00-16:00) ／ info@tailup.jp
