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Immerse yourself in the world of Noh through "Utai"
"Waseda University Shimogakari Hoshokai"

Junna Sakurada, 4th year student School of Humanities and Social Sciences

Waseda University Shimogakari Hoshokai is an officially recognized student club where you can learn Shimogakari Hoshoryu, one of the schools of Noh. We usually receive lessons from Noh actor Obinata Hiroshi, and once a year from Shimogakari Hoshoryu head and Living National Treasure Hosho Kinya-.

In Noh, there are two roles: shite and waki. The shite is the main actor in Noh, and plays otherworldly characters such as ghosts and gods, and often wears a Noh mask. In contrast, the waki plays the role opposite the shite, a living human being. The Shimogakari Hoshokai specialize in waki roles, and mainly practice Utai (the lines and songs in Noh).

Waki actors play roles such as monks, priests, and samurai who have traveled around the country, but they are always men and are onstage from the beginning to the end of the Noh performance, engaging in dialogue with the shite. They are the ones who tell the background of the Noh story and guide the audience into the world of Noh, but at the same time, they also draw out stories from the shite, who does not talk much himself, and comfort him. Professional waki actors are required to be men, but in student club like ours, women can also play waki roles.

A photo of participating in the Kanto Hoshoryu Student Noh Association's self-performance event at the Hosho Noh Theater. The author is on the far right.

The charm of Shimogakari Hoshokai, where you can practice as waki, is its powerful and lively Utai. When I first went to observe student club and heard the Utai of the teacher and the seniors, I was overwhelmed by the energy, which made the whole room tremble. I myself was a complete newbie who had never seen a Noh performance before, but I was so overwhelmed that I decided to join on impulse, and have been continuing for three years since then. I love the feeling of losing myself while chanting in my natural, unaffected voice, like the one I used to use when playing outside as a child, and being immersed in the role in Noh.

Our association performs on an actual Noh stage about four times a year. Three of these times are joint performances with members of the Hosho-style Noh clubs of other universities, and the other is the autumn performance held at Waseda University's Okuma Auditorium. The autumn performance is a joint performance by all five Noh student club at Waseda University, and we perform together with the shite actor. In 2024, we wore actual costumes and performed on the Noh stage set up on the stage of Okuma Auditorium.

Left photo: This photo was taken when I played the waki of Kumagai Jiro Naozane in the half-Noh play "Atsumori" at the autumn performance at Okuma Auditorium. This is the scene at the beginning when Naozane introduces himself and recites the line, "I want to go down to Ichinotani to mourn Atsumori."
Right photo: A photo taken just before the performance in the autumn. Professor Obinata is in the center.

The weight of the costume and the tension made my legs go numb, but I endured and continued to listen to the shite's story, and when the shite disappeared with satisfaction, I felt a sense of "accomplishment" in the role with my whole body, which left a strong impression on me. I felt like I was able to realize what my teacher had always taught me: the role of the waki is to "endure, forgive, and comfort."

You are always welcome to come and watch. We welcome not only those with no experience, but also second-year students and above, students from other universities, and international students, regardless of gender. Why not discover a new side of yourself through Noh?

[Official student club Information]
◆ student club name: Waseda University Shimogakari Hoshokai
◆ Group classification: Clubs
◆ Year student club was founded: 1948
◆ Genre: Japanese culture
◆ Activity date and time: To be decided through consultation between teacher and members (about once a week)
◆ Number of participants: Approximately 21 people
◆ Location: Japanese-style room on the 1st floor Waseda University Student Center, E1004 on the 10th floor Waseda University Student Center (shared with other student club)
◆Instagram:@Shimohou
◆ X:@WSimohou