2024.09.09
KYOTO NOH DINING 2024: An Evening of Fine Dining and Classical Japanese Arts at the Historic Shimogamo Villa
HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO invites you to an exclusive dining event, "KYOTO NOH DINING 2024," held on October 25th, October 26th, November 1st, and November 2nd, 2024. This event is limited to a select number of guests, ensuring an intimate and memorable experience.
KYOTO NOH DINING 2024 is hosted at the historic Shimogamo Villa, a property designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. Guests will enjoy a specially curated French dinner by Chef Asano, who was selected to represent Japan in the world culinary competition. The evening also includes a carefully guided Noh experience with detailed English explanations and context, presented by Japan's top Noh actors. This offers an enriching experience particularly suited for international visitors.
The setting for the event, Shimogamo Villa, provides a unique opportunity to experience a Noh performance up close, performed by members of the Kongo School, a Kyoto-based tradition renowned for its over 600 years of history and led by a Living National Treasure. The performance is accompanied by a detailed English commentary, explaining the history of Noh, the significance of the masks and costumes, and the story behind the performance. This interactive format ensures that even those new to Noh can appreciate and enjoy the rich cultural experience, while deepening their understanding of this traditional Japanese art form.
In addition to the Noh performance, guests will be treated to an exclusive dinner menu created by Chef Asano, the Executive Chef of HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO’s restaurant TOKI. The menu is inspired by the theme of "Autumn at Shimogamo Shrine," perfectly complementing the evening’s cultural program.
Join us for a special evening in the heart of ancient capital in the midst of the autumn, where you can savor exquisite cuisine and deepen your understanding of Japan’s classical performing arts in a historic and beautiful setting.
KYOTO NOH DINING 2024: An Overview
■ Dates:
Friday, October 25th, 2024
Saturday, October 26th, 2024
Friday, November 1st, 2024
Saturday, November 2nd, 2024
■ Number of Participants:
8 people per day (first-come, first-served basis)
■Price:
JPY150,000 per person (incl. tax) *Accommodation not included.
■ Time:
6:00pm - Approximately 9:00PM
■ Location:
Shimogamo Villa, an Important Cultural Property (Former Mitsui Family Villa)
■ Highlights:
Enjoy a performance of the Noh play Hanjō by renowned Noh actors
Savour a specially prepared dinner by Chef Tetsuya Asano
Experience an exclusive, private occasion at the historic Shimogamo Villa
■Haruna TANAKA, Noh Actor/Navigator
Haruna Tanaka is a professional Noh actor who received her Instructor Certificate from Kongo School and is the member of The Nohgaku Performers’ Association (www.nohgaku.or.jp/en/). She graduated with a degree in Movement Theatre from Pitzer College in Claremont, CA and earned her M.F.A. in Theatre Arts from Kyoto University of the Arts.
As a Noh actor, She performed her first Noh play “Kagetsu” at the Atsuta Jingu Nohgakuden in 2006, then has been performing in Wakashachi Noh and regular performances at the Nagoya Noh theatre every year. She also arranged several workshops and lecture-demonstrations abroad (France, Belgium, U.S., Slovenia, South Korea, etc.) over the decade since 2008, and has been performing, as well as being an assistant/interpreter. As a university lecturer, she has teaching experiences for 6 years at Kyoto Seika University, and 11 years as a guest lecturer at Nihon Fukushi University, and 2 years at Shizenkan University.
About the Kongo School
The Kongo school is one of the five schools of Noh. The style of the Kongo school is known for its dynamic and striking movements, combined with an elegant and graceful quality, earning it the nickname Mai Kongo (lit. Dancing Kongo). The school is also renowned for its exquisite collection of Noh masks and costumes, including masterpieces like the Yuki no Ko-omote mask gifted by Toyotomi Hideyoshi and the Magojiro mask known for its delicate beauty, leading to the school being referred to as Omote Kongo (Kongo masks).
While four of the five Noh schools are based in Tokyo, the Kongo school uniquely maintains its headquarters in Kyoto, reflecting its deep connections with the Kyoto Imperial Palace and the imperial court. It is also well-known that the Mitsui family heads have long practiced Noh, originally serving as patrons of the Kongo school, and owning many valuable Noh masks. Historically, Noh has intertwined Kyoto, the Kongo school, and the Mitsui family.
■Tetsuya ASANO, Signature Restaurant Chef at TOKI
Tetsuya Asano is Chef de Cuisine at TOKI, the signature restaurant at HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO.
After training in a number of renowned restaurants in the Netherlands and France, he worked at The Ritz Paris, where in 2017 he became the first Japanese to be appointed as executive sous-chef of the Ritz Paris' main dining room. Asano oversaw all of the hotel's restaurants, including Espadon, which was awarded two stars by the Michelin Guide.
In December 2019, Asano was appointed Chef de Cuisine at TOKI.
Chef Asano selected as Japan's representative at the Bocuse d'Or International Culinary Competition 2027.
This plan is available on a first-come, first-served basis each day.
This special experience is planned and conducted by Wondertrunk & Co., Ltd.
A cancellation fee will apply starting two weeks before the event date (50% of the fee from two weeks prior, and 100% from one week prior).
Please note that the experience is available for guests aged 16 and older.
For reservations and inquiries,
please contact: +81 75 468 3100 (Hotel Reception) or email.
