Introduction
I started my career as a professional Noh performer 45 years ago at the Komparu school of Noh.
Japan draws the world’s attention today with the forthcoming Tokyo Olympics in 2020, and the Osaka Expo in 2025. Time has come for Japan to assume a pivotal role based in Asia / the East in creating and disseminating indispensable values in this chaotic world. The Komparu school of Noh and Japanese traditional culture can play a significant role in promoting fundamental values. In the near future, the next generation “Samurai” or “Yamato Nadeshiko” with global sensitivities, the sense of cooperation and respect towards others shall play active roles in this world with a solid sense of identity rooted in Japan. The Komparu school of Noh offers them the underlying conceptual foundations.
The Komparu School of Noh exists today in this world to promote these new values and “Jufuku-no-kokoro (the spirit of longevity and happiness)” and “Tenka Taihei (world peace).” May these spirits hold the world intact. My wish is to promote that which matters the most to hearts and minds throughout Japan and the world.
Tsunao Yamai
Noh Performer
Komparu School
Profile
Tsunao Yamai
Komparu School of Noh Performer (“Shite,” leading role player)
Important Intangible Cultural Heritage Holder (General Certification)
Nohgaku Performers’ Association, “Riji (board member)”
“Komparu Enmaikai (board of Komparu school),” “Joumu Riji (executive board member)”
Yamai Tsunao Noh Production “Yamai Tsunao Sou,” Head
“Shunkoukai” for Amateur Noh Disciples, Head
FY 2014 Japanese Governmental Agency for Cultural Affairs, Cultural Envoy (long term deployment)
Great East Japan Earthquake Reconstruction Support Association “Ibuki-no-kai,” Member
NHK Cultural Centre at Aoyama School, Lecturer
JR (Japan Railway) East Japan “Otona no Kyujitsu Club,” Lecturer
Tourei Gakuen Fujisawa Junior High School, Part-time Teacher
Komparu is the oldest school of Noh, which the pre-eminent samurai general Toyotomi HIdyoshi, immensely supported.
Tsunao Yamai dedicates himself to promoting Noh and the “hearts and minds based in Japan” through Noh under the conviction of Noh as one of the world’s greatest forms of art. He frequently presents Noh performances, workshops and talks for beginners, and performs at school for youth in Japan. He performs internationally and collaborates with artists of a wide range of genre to perform and create numerous works. He takes on the challenge to expand the potentiality of Noh.
CV
Born in Yokohama, Japan in 1973.
Completed B.A. in Literature at Kokugakuin University.
Studied under Nobutaka Kombaru (79th Generation Head of Komparu School), Yasuaki Komparu (80th Generation Head of Komparu School), and Noriko Tomiyama. Komparu School of Noh Performer, Heishirou Umemura, is Tsunao Yamai’s grandfather.
Initiated the first Noh stage at age 5 and the first “Shite” leading role at age 12. He has performed “Shite” (leading role) in major pieces, incuding “Midare,” “Shakkyô,” “Mochizuki,” “Dōjōji,” “Okina,” “Shozon,” and “Ataka.”
| 2012 | Presented the first talk by a Noh performer at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan. |
| 2017 | Premiered at Komparu School of Noh the performance of a modern composition “Hikari no Suashi” based on a children’s story by Kenji Miyazawa. |
| 2017 | Hosted the performance of “Futari Shizuka” at the National Noh Theater in the form of co-performance by Komparu School and Kongo School of Noh. |
| 2018 | Premiered the performance of “Yūgao” revived since approximately 400 years ago. |
| 2018 | Hosted the Performance of “Semimaru,” in the form of co-performance by Komparu School and Kanze School of Noh, to mark 40th year in Noh career, whose show was officiated as an official program for the Japanese Governmental Agency for Cultural Affairs’ National Arts Festival. |
| 2012 | Presented the first talk by a Noh performer at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan. |
| 2017 | Premiered at Komparu School of Noh the performance of a modern composition “Hikari no Suashi” based on a children’s story by Kenji Miyazawa. |
| 2017 | Hosted the performance of “Futari Shizuka” at the National Noh Theater in the form of co-performance by Komparu School and Kongo School of Noh. |
| 2018 | Premiered the performance of “Yūgao” revived since approximately 400 years ago. |
| 2018 | Hosted the Performance of “Semimaru,” in the form of co-performance by Komparu School and Kanze School of Noh, to mark 40th year in Noh career, whose show was officiated as an official program for the Japanese Governmental Agency for Cultural Affairs’ National Arts Festival. |
Selected International Works
| 2012 | Participated in Japan Cultural Expo in Paris, France |
| 2012 -2014 |
Performed “Shite” (leading role) as the leader of cultural delegation, at the invitation of Japanese Consulate based in Vancouver, Canada |
| 2017 | World premiere performance of Noh Chamber Opera production “Kayoi Komachi” |
| 2018 | Taiwan-Japan Cultural Exchange in Taiwan (Tainan, Taichung, Taipei Cities). Public Program Presentation at National Cheng Kung University. |
| 2012 | Participated in Japan Cultural Expo in Paris, France |
| 2012 -2014 |
Performed “Shite” (leading role) as the leader of cultural delegation, at the invitation of Japanese Consulate based in Vancouver, Canada |
| 2017 | World premiere performance of Noh Chamber Opera production “Kayoi Komachi” |
| 2018 | Taiwan-Japan Cultural Exchange in Taiwan (Tainan, Taichung, Taipei Cities). Public Program Presentation at National Cheng Kung University. |
Selected Collaborations with Various Genre
| 2006 | Presented “Noh Dance Evangelion” and performed at Billboard Live Tokyo. |
| 2011 | Coached Noh for NHK Sougou TV (Japanese public TV) for Taiga Drama “Gou - Himetachino Sengoku” (prestigious annual year-long drama). |
| 2013 | Premiered Noh Dance & Music Play “Yoshitsune-ki” with Hiromitsu Agazuma and H.E. Demon Kakka. Presented over 20 shows since. |
| 2014 | Multiple performance and compositions of “Enishi – Noh x Piano” as a collaborative unit with a jazz pianist, Kentaro Kihara. |
| 2015 | Performed Noh dance for chaconne by J.S. Bach for TV Asahi’s program “Daimei no nai Ongakukai.” |
| 2016 | Coached Noh and performed “Shite (lead role)” for NHK Sougou TV (Japanese public TV) for its Taiga Drama “Sanadamaru” (prestigious annual year-long drama). |
| 2006 | Presented “Noh Dance Evangelion” and performed at Billboard Live Tokyo. |
| 2011 | Coached Noh for NHK Sougou TV (Japanese public TV) for Taiga Drama “Gou - Himetachino Sengoku” (prestigious annual year-long drama). |
| 2013 | Premiered Noh Dance & Music Play “Yoshitsune-ki” with Hiromitsu Agazuma and H.E. Demon Kakka. Presented over 20 shows since. |
| 2014 | Multiple performance and compositions of “Enishi – Noh x Piano” as a collaborative unit with a jazz pianist, Kentaro Kihara. |
| 2015 | Performed Noh dance for chaconne by J.S. Bach for TV Asahi’s program “Daimei no nai Ongakukai.” |
| 2016 | Coached Noh and performed “Shite (lead role)” for NHK Sougou TV (Japanese public TV) for its Taiga Drama “Sanadamaru” (prestigious annual year-long drama). |