Always on
This project successfully funded on 24th December 2025, you can still support them with a donation.
Japanese Noh Theatre Reimagined in the UK
ロンドン, グレーター・ロンドン, イギリス
£1,210
raised so far
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Aim
Bringing Noh, the world’s oldest music theatre to the UK with spellbinding plays exploring memory, imagination, nature and human connection
Noh Reimagined 2025: A New Vision for Ecology and the Future of Noh
Since 2016, Noh Reimagined has celebrated the meeting of cultures, creativity, and tradition — inspired by Noh, Japan’s 650-year-old musical theatre.
In partnership with Kings Place, London, we’ve built the UK’s only creative platform dedicated to Noh — a space where tradition meets innovation, and where artists and audiences alike step into the world of ancient stories, discovering how this timeless art continues to speak to us in powerful, meaningful, and unforgettable ways.
Now, in its fifth edition, Noh Reimagined 2025 promises to be our boldest and most ambitious programme yet.
However, we are facing a significant financial challenge, partly due to an Arts Council England application system error that left our project in limbo.
Your support is essential to help this unique and ambitious cross-cultural journey continue — to share the awe, the artistry, and the deep inspiration of Noh with new artists and audiences across the UK.
Hello! My name is Akiko Yanagisawa, and I’m the curator and producer of Noh Reimagined. I split my time between London and Tokyo, where I’m deeply immersed in both cultures.
For nearly 10 years, I’ve been passionate about bringing the excitement and depth of Noh to international audiences. Through performances of classical masterpieces and innovative collaborations with British artists across diverse disciplines, I’ve sought to bridge the gap between ancient tradition and contemporary creativity. My mission is to continue this extraordinary project, ensuring that audiences and artists around the world gain fresh perspectives, spark new creativity, and keep the timeless art of Noh alive for future generations.
Have you ever heard of Noh?
It is one of the world’s oldest surviving performing arts — a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage — blending dance, music, and drama into a single, dreamlike form.
In Noh, the main actor (shite) wears a mask to become an extraordinary being and share a story beyond the ordinary world. One of the most famous Noh plays performed in the UK, Sumidagawa, tells of a mother searching for her kidnapped child from Kyoto to Edo (modern Tokyo), only to discover that her child died a year before.
Dream and memory are at its heart .
Often, a travelling monk meets a mysterious figure — the spirit of someone trapped by sorrow — who appears in a dream to tell their story and seek release.
Watching Noh play is to step into a dream between worlds, much like reading Alice in Wonderland. I am fascinated by how Noh transports us beyond time and place — and I would love to share this beautiful, timeless art with you.
Sumidagawa at Aldeburgh Festival 2024
Noh Reimagined could not have flourished without the dedication of our main partner organisation, Kings Place, our collaborating institutions and artists, and most importantly our wonderful audiences, whose curiosity and openness to the art of Noh inspired all of us.
Thanks to these valuable supports Noh Reimagined has achieved so far:
- 15 new commissions, premiered in the UK and Japan— created through collaborations across dance, music, visual arts, and even neuroscience
- Over 50 UK artists from diverse disciplines participated.
- Performances and events attended by over 12,000 people
- More than 1,000 participants in workshops and learning programmes
- International performances in London, Birmingham, Sheffield, Rome, Madrid, Tokyo, and at Suffolk’s world-renowned Aldeburgh Festival
- We received good reviews from media, including 5 star reviews from major media-
"..the universality of grief needs no translation" ★★★★★ The Guardian
"I cannot praise this two day festival enough" ★★★★★ Planet Hugil
Audiences love the experience:
"Absolutely enjoyable — from classic Noh to exciting fusion, talks, and workshops!" — Noh Reimagined 2024 audience member
Commissioned artists praise the project:
"Noh Reimagined holds significant potential to influence British contemporary artists." — Ben Nobuto, composer.
Noh Reimagined 2025: London and Barcelona
Noh is a Story of Ecology, where ancient tales resonate with urgent contemporary issues. As we face ecological challenges today, Noh’s stories, though centuries old, speak powerfully to the interconnectedness of nature and humanity.
London : 28th-29th November
1. "Bashō" (Plantain Tree) – The Botanical Mind of 15th century
The spirit of a plantain proclaims, “even plants can attain enlightenment,” challenging the dominant human‑centred worldview. This radical ecological vision resonates with today’s concerns about our relationship to the natural world.
We will brinng this masterpiece first time outside Japan in history.
2. Botanical Mind Talk:
Ahead of its historic first-ever performance outside Japan. We will invite Gina Buenfeld-Murley, curator of the exhibition ‘The Botanical Mind’ at Camden Art Centre, joined by Dr Christopher Harding, an acclaimed arts historian specialising in Japan, to explore plant intelligence, sacred geometry, and non-anthropocentric perspectives across cultures and history.
3. "Matsukaze" — Autumn Wind Through Pine Trees
A story of ghostly sisters, Matsukaze (“pining wind”) and Murasame (“autumn rain”), who long for a lost lover. Matsukaze embraces a pine tree, dancing in the wind, then disappears with the autumn wind through the pine trees. This play was last performed in Europe in 1969.
Discover why Matsukaze is so fascinating — join a workshop led by a Noh actor and experience it firsthand. Link to Matsukaze workshop
4. World Premirer - “Song of Rona Island” – The story of an abandoned Scottish island in the Outer Hebrides.
This is a new Noh play set on a now-abandoned Scottish island "Rona". Inspired by the Scottish poet and environmentalist Kathleen Jamie’s essay "On Rona".
The spirit of Saint Ronan appears in the dream of a Scottish traveller, weaving stories of lost histories and disappearing environments. Noh music, dance and chant blend with fiddler (Aidan O’Rourke) and Scottish smallpipe player (Brighde Chaimbeul), creating an unimaginably beautiful orchestration .
"Song of Rona Island"- a work in progress performance in Tokyo 2024
5. Pre-Performance Talk: 'Song of Rona Island'
We invite audiences to hear Kathleen Jamie discuss Rona Island and her essay, alongside the artists and creative team sharing how this first-ever Scotland–Noh collaboration came to life.
Barcelona: 26th November at Conservatori Liceu Auditorium
Federico Mompou (1893–1987), the Catalan composer, was known for his "music of silence." His works capture the faint resonances flowing between nature and the heart. Noh actor Kanji Shimizu, and pianist Yoko Suzuki, who studied under Mompou’s wife, bring together dance and music, creating a landscape that transcends time and culture.
"I feel the simplicity of music as I would a mountain path. I also found simplicity in works inspired by art." — Federico Mompou
Please Help Keep Noh Reimagined to Continue —
Join Our Journey!
For years, Noh Reimagined has bridged cultures, sparked creativity, and introduced the timeless art of Noh to audiences across the UK and beyond. But now, we face a critical moment — without your support, the future of this groundbreaking project is at risk.
Noh Reimagined 2025 is a key milestone in ensuring the financial sustainability of the project. With your support, we can break even and secure the future of Noh Reimagined, continuing to spark vital conversations and serve as a catalyst for a new cultural dialogue between ancient Japanese art forms and British arts and culture.
Earlier this year, when Arts Council England’s online system was down, we were unable to apply for crucial funding for 2025. At the same time, our application for local government support from Japan was unsuccessful — the first time since 2016. Together, these setbacks have left us facing a £20,000 shortfall.
Your Support Is Vital to Continue This Groundbreaking Work:
Our immediate goal is to raise £8,000 by mid-December — a crucial step toward closing our £20,000 funding shortfall — and ensuring Noh Reimagined can continue to inspire, connect, and spark creativity
Where Your Donation Goes
Your support will directly sustain Noh Reimagined 2025, ensuring this extraordinary project continues to inspire, connect cultures, and spark creativity for years to come.
Here’s how your contribution will make a tangible impact:
£4,000 – Covers the fee shortfall for 6 Noh performers from Japan and 5 British artists, enabling these talented artists to bring the stories to life.
£1,500 – Supports travel and accommodation for our Scottish collaborators — composer/fiddle player Aidan O’Rourke, smallpipes player Brìghde Chaimbeul, and poet Kathleen Jamie — for the London premiere of Song of Rona Island (Japanese artists’ travel is supported by a Japanese institution).
£2,000 – Funds professional filming of the performances, preserving this unique work for future audiences, education, and possible re-staging opportunities.
£500 – Covers campaign fees and fulfils rewards for supporters like you.
If we exceed our £8,000 target, the extra funds will unlock Noh Reimagined Academy or Club ( title tbc) — an online, regular series exploring the magic of Noh through stories, masks, costumes, dance, and music, led by top-class performers and specialists. Additional funds will also be used to strengthen future programmes, ensuring the timeless art of Noh continues to evolve and inspire.
Rewards if Target Not Reached
Backers will still receive their rewards even if we don’t hit the full target.
Exclusive Rewards for Our Supporters
We have designed a range of unique rewards all exclusive to supporters that connect you directly to the art and the artists:
£5- Thank you email message from Noh Reimagined.
£25- Federico Mompou's three hand-written scores and a photo at the family-run Bell Workshop as well as “Ermita dibuix by Josep Mompou” (all digital images)
£25 – Noh Reimagined 2025 Digital Photo Collection x 1
You will receive by email 6 x high-resolution selected stage photos taking by a professional photographer Sumire Tamura.
£35 – Your name on the stage screen x 1
Your name will be credited for Special Thanks on the screens at the beginning or end of the performance. Your name will also be archived on the Noh Reimagined website
£30 –Footage of a stage performance x 1
Choose from Bashō , Matsukaze or Song of Rona Island. You will receive this footage either as a downloadable file or as a link to the video. Plus your name will be credited on the screen of Kings Place Hall One.
£40 – Signed Stage Photo by Kanji Shimizu x 1
A high-quality printed photo (A4 size), signed by master actor Kanji Shimizu.
You can select your favourite from a gallery of 5 iconic images we will show you. The photo is by a Tokyo based stage photographer Gokuraku Images.
Profile: Kanji Shimizu (Shite actor, Kanze School) is one of Japan’s leading Noh performers. Known for his interdisciplinary collaborations across contemporary theatre, dance, and traditional Asian arts, he has performed internationally, including major productions in Europe. In 2024, he received the prestigious Kanze Hisao Award and is recognised as an Important Intangible Cultural Property by the Japanese government.
Example: Shimizu Kanji (Photo by Gokuraku Images) * Frame is not included.
£50 – Exclusive Online Noh Talk & Workshop with a Shite Actor
Join an intimate online session exploring the world of Noh “Matsukaze”—its story, chant, music, and an introduction to utai (vocal chanting).
The workshop will be held once we have a minimum of five participants.
Scheduled for: February 2026
A rare opportunity to learn directly from a professional Noh performer—perfect for both newcomers and enthusiasts.
£60 – Exclusive online workshop with Aidan O’Rourke
Enjoy a special online interactive workshop with world-renowned fiddler Aidan O’Rourke. He will talk about Scottish and Celtic folk music, and give a hands on workshop of a fiddle performance.
Join with any of your instrument
Profile: Aidan O’Rourke is a leading Scottish fiddle player, composer, and member of the award-winning trio Lau. Known for pushing the boundaries of Celtic traditions, he has collaborated with top musicians including Brìghde Chaimbeul and Kit Downes. A former BBC Folk Awards Musician of the Year, his acclaimed solo work includes 365 and Iorram. In 2024, he received the prestigious Paul Hamlyn Award and composed Qullaq for Nordic Music Days.
£70– Video footage of all 3 stage performance x 1 set
You will receive this footage of Bashō, Matsukaze and Song of Rona Island either as a downloadable file or as a link to the video.
£150 – Premium Supporter Package 28th Nov ( Basho) or 29th Nov ( Matsukaze/Song of Rona Island)
You're invited to attend the live performance of 28th or 29th and performance talk at Kings Place. Best available seat will be allocated (Price Band A).
* Please apply by 20th November .
Plus :
• Thank you email message from Noh Reimagined
• Noh Reimagined Digital Photo Collection x 1
• Your name on the stage screen x 1
• Video fottage of a stage performance x 1
• Performance programme
* please check here and select the performance.
£250 — Noh Reimagined 2025 Tickets 28th or 29th November and invitation to drink receptions.
You're invited to attend the live performance of 28th or 29th and performance talk at Kings Place. Best available seat will be allocated (Price Band A). You’re also invited to the after-performance drink , offering a unique opportunity to mingle with Noh performers and artists.
* Please apply by 20th November .
Plus :
• Thank you email message from Noh Reimagined
• Noh Reimagined Digital Photo Collection x 1
• Your name on the stage screen x 1
• Video fottage of a stage performance x 1
• Performance programme
* please check here and select the performance.
£500 – Noh Reimagined Patron Package
This all-inclusive package includes all rewards from previous tiers, covering both performances, plus:
You’ll receive a complete experience, from premium tickets to exclusive behind-the-scenes content, and special recognition as a Founding Supporter.
- Thank you email message from Noh Reimagined
• Noh Reimagined Digital Photo Collection x 1
• Your name on the stage screen x 1
• Signed Stage Photo by Kanji Shimizu x 1
• Exclusive Online Noh Workshop with Kanji Shimizu x 1 person
• Exclusive online workshop with Aidan O’Rourke
• Video footage of a stage performance x 3 set
• Noh Reimagined 2025 Invitation - 28th Nov (Best seat allocation)
• Noh Reimagined 2025 Tickets - 29th Nov (Best seat allocation)
- After-performance drink , offering a unique opportunity to mingle with Noh performers and artists.
Support us and help bring this vision to life — connecting Noh and contemporary creativity, and inspiring new reflections on the world we live in today.
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made