Nobeoka Tenkaichi Takigino features Noh performances and rare mask exhibition

The 29th Nobeoka Tenkaichi Takigino was held on the evening of October 10 at the Nobeoka Castle ruins Ninomaru Plaza. Against the backdrop of the 19-meter-high ‘Sennin-goroshi no Ishigaki’ stone wall, performers including Kanze school Shite actor Kuemon Katayama and Kyogen actor Mansai Nomura captivated approximately 1,000 spectators.

In conjunction with the event, the Nobeoka Castle Naito Memorial Museum is hosting a special exhibition of rare Noh and Kyogen masks. The museum houses 72 masks donated by the Naito family, who formerly ruled the Nobeoka domain. The exhibition features eight selected masks, including the ‘Ko-omote’ mask used in the play ‘Matsukaze’ during the inaugural Takigino performance. Other displays include masks crafted by master mask makers, such as ‘Waka-onna’ and ‘Kaishi’. The special exhibition will remain open until November 8.