Abroad in Japan: Noh Theatre Immersion
Maryville College students holding traditional Noh Theatre Masks
Hello! My name is Kathryn Bornhoeft, and I am a Theatre Education major at Maryville College. This summer, a group of other students and I were granted the opportunity to study a Noh Theatre intensive at Kansai Gaidai University in Hirakata.
What is Noh Theatre?
Noh is a traditional style of Japanese theatre. It is a sacred art form that involves entirely handmade costumes and masks. Actors study for years to master the proper movement and song-like chanting
that the plays require. There are five different types of plays: god plays, warrior plays, woman plays, madness plays, and demon plays; each with its own defining factors. Noh was originally performed outside, hence the roof that remains on traditional Noh stages.
A traditional Noh stage
While in Japan, we got the amazing opportunity to visit a mask and costume maker.
Shown below is a photo of various hand-carved masks.
The costume maker requested that his costumes not be posted on social media,
but they were very detailed.
Every line of thread on every costume was done by hand.
His work has even been recognized by the Japanese government!
Noh masks
Why Japan?
As someone who has never been on a plane, let alone out of the country, I was very hesitant to join this trip. However, my love for theatre and desire to expand my knowledge convinced me to go. And I am so glad that I did! Japan is such a safe, clean place. Not to mention the beautiful culture, area, and delicious meals. This trip has truly helped me grow and learn as a person, increasing my independence, willingness to try new things, and ability to connect with others despite a language barrier.
Maryville College students in front of the Kansai Gaidai University sign
Free time in Japan
Although our time here is shorter than other programs (only ten days),
we are making the most of our time here in Japan.
We visited the Osaka Aquarium, Nara Park, famous for the friendly deer,
and the Todai-ji (temple of Buddha).
We also have plans to visit Universal in Japan, provided by Maryville College!
During our time outside of class, my friends and I have enjoyed trying new restaurants,
walking to local shopping centers, and connecting with other residents
at Kansai Gaidai (shout out to Chisako, the best RA ever!).
Deer at Nara Park
The Great Buddha statue
Why You Should Study Abroad
The idea of studying abroad can be intimidating (it was for me!) and is a hard decision to make, but the payoff is so worth it. Meeting new people, trying new things, and learning new skills only scratches the surface of what studying abroad can offer. It truly is unlike anything else and has helped me rapidly improve my sense of self, which seems like a common result within my group. Maryville College offers scholarships to make the intimidating cost more achievable. As a scholarship recipient, I am so grateful to have assistance on this trip. I will definitely be looking into more trips in the future!
Picture of Dallas, Texas from my plane window
Final Thoughts
Studying abroad has been one of the best experiences I have ever had! Getting to immerse myself in Japanese culture, learning about a style of theatre that I have never heard about before, and getting to experience amazing food, history, and beautiful views is surely a time that I will never forget. This trip has not only changed me as a performer, but also as a person. If you are on the fence about studying abroad, I say try it out! New experiences are never a bad thing to have, as they always teach you something new. Maybe you will learn something about yourself that you have never known. Maybe you will fall in love with the country you visit, just like I have! The opportunities are endless!
One of my super delicious meals
