iU First President Gachon: Mr.Taichiro Nomura

◆iU First President Gachon: Mr.Taichiro Nomura

Mr.Taichiro Nomura is a brilliant young Kyogen performer and a direct descendant of the legendary Nomura lineage.

https://bit.ly/3i3OaH9

■Kyogen is Pop Culture

Kyogen has been passed down continuously for 650 years since the Muromachi period and is widely considered the absolute origin of Japanese comedy. It is traditionally staged alongside Noh theater. While Noh is a high-tension, dramatic experience, Kyogen is relaxed, accessible, and comedic. Instead of focusing on historical epics or mythical figures, Kyogen plays run for 15 to 20 minutes, feature just two or three performers, and focus on ordinary, everyday neighborhood characters.

■The Art of Stage Expression

Because Kyogen is performed in an archaic, medieval dialect that can be difficult for modern audiences to follow, I make a conscious effort to over-deliver my expressions, scaling them up much larger than I initially intend. I let my imagination run wild, speak with crisp articulation, and maintain a dignified yet highly stylized, exaggerated physical presence.

Early on, I was advised to broaden my horizons and communicate more with the outside world. Going to university allowed me to interact with diverse groups of people and gain the perspective I bring to the stage today.

■The Art of Convention

Noh and Kyogen are arts of minimalist convention. We use virtually no stage props, relying entirely on the audience's imagination. As performers, our stylized movements (kata) are designed to spark that imagination. It relies on a beautiful, unspoken contract of mutual understanding between the stage and the audience.

■Living in a Traditional World

People often look at a predetermined destiny in two ways: some view it as a restrictive cage, while others see it as a clear, easy path. Traditional performing arts are undeniably grueling. My father passed away just as I was entering my teenage rebellious phase. Because of that timing, before I could ever complain about the training being too difficult or painful, I simply accepted it as something I had to do. Personally, I’ve made it this far without feeling crushed by the pressure.

■Student Life

I was incredibly ambitious as a student. I wanted to excel at everything simultaneously—academics, tennis, and Kyogen. I had this fierce, youthful confidence that I could balance it all, and I hated the idea of using my Kyogen commitments as an excuse to slack off in school or sports. That period built the mental resilience I have today; I was a teenager sprinting through life. I always looked at my university experience with a positive mindset, constantly figuring out how to leverage it to my advantage.

■A Message for You

When you enter university, the pressure intensifies to immediately find your ultimate career path. But remember that there is something valuable to learn in every corner of campus life, whether academic or social. Absorb everything you can and integrate it into your character. Even the moments that feel like wasted time can offer unexpected value later on.

Postscript

Shortly before Taichiro’s father—the fifth-generation Mr.Banjo Nomura—passed away, he gave me a brilliant piece of advice for public speaking while we were at the Kongo Noh Theatre in Kyoto: "Look all the way into the distance, and speak slowly." I still use that technique today.

Taichiro's grandfather, Living National Treasure Nomura Man, chairs the Japan Performing Arts Association, and I often work with him in the music industry. Once, when I paired modern boots with my traditional kimono, he looked at me with a smile and said enviously, "I'd love to try a style like that, but I simply can't get away with it!" Having worked with Taichiro at the Kyoto International Film Festival, I’ve now had the honor of collaborating with three generations of this incredible family.