Kyoto’s T.T.T. 2023 offers kyōgen and Nihon buyō, 28 June - 21 July
Matthew Shores
Dear friends and colleagues,
We are happy to announce that Traditional Theater Training (T.T.T.) will be back again this summer, 28 June to 21 July, at the Kyoto Art Center.
T.T.T. provides the opportunity for artists, researchers, and students to study intensively with Kyoto masters in a three-week intensive training program. 2023 marks 39 years since T.T.T. was founded in 1984 by Jonah Salz and Shigeyama Akira, introducing Japan's traditional performing arts to more than 400 participants from 20+ countries. After a two-year Covid hiatus, last year we offered courses in nō dance and chant, and rakugo storytelling; this year we are delighted to offer classes in kyōgen comic theater and Nihon buyō dance. To offer an overview of other Japanese performing arts, there will also be half-day workshops in nō and, for the first time, bunraku puppet theater (fees included with tuition) as well as an optional short course in kotsuzumi (nō shoulder drum, fee not included).
The program’s approach is an intensive group training (8 per course) leading to a costumed recital on a nō stage. No Japanese ability is necessary, although it can be helpful as lessons are primarily in Japanese with staff on hand to interpret as needed. The program draws participants from around the world, including Japanese artists, to converge on Kyoto to learn the techniques and spirit of Japan's traditional performing arts.
T.T.T. 2023 runs from 28 June to 21 July. The application deadline is 30 April, with notification of acceptance sent on a rolling basis no later than the first week of May. Applications will be accepted after this date if space is still available. Kyoto Art Center will offer two T.T.T. scholarships (one tuition exemption per course) to participants with specific plans to create artistic works or carry out academic research based on their T.T.T. training. We provide assistance with letters of support for those looking to secure outside funding, or needing an organizational reference for visa paperwork, as well as advise on housing possibilities.
This year's kyōgen instructors are Shigeyama Sennojō, Suzuki Minoru, and Yamashita Moriyuki. Nihon buyō is led by Wakayagi Yayoi and her entourage of lifelong disciples. Lessons are generally held in the evening at the downtown Kyoto Art Center studios, with participants encouraged in the morning and afternoon to study independently or to sample Kyoto’s rich festival and performance feast, including the ancient, spectacular Gion Festival on 17 July. The costumed recital will be held at the beautiful Ōe nō stage, Japan's oldest family nō theater.
Applications are accepted from early March. Up to date information can be found on the Kyoto Art Center website: https://www.kac.or.jp/eng/program/4227/. Please feel free to contact us beforehand at the Kyoto Art Center in Japanese or English at t....@kac.or.jp or +81 (0)75-213-1000. Please visit the T.T.T. Facebook page for more information and photographs from previous years’ trainings and recitals.
If you plan to join us from overseas, be sure to visit the MOFA website for the latest information on documents that may be needed to enter Japan. We look forward to seeing you in Kyoto this June and July!
Kind
regards,
Matt Shores
The University of Sydney
Rm 506, Brennan MacCallum Building A18 | The University of Sydney | NSW | 2006
+61 2 8627 9514
matthew...@sydney.edu.au | sydney.edu.au/arts/japanese | mwshores.com