Suehirogari

Catalog note / 解説

Suehirogari can be translated as An Old Umbrella for a Fan. This print is a Kyogen scene from a series entitled Nogaku Zue (Noh Plays), published by Matsuki, Heikichi. Kyōgen is a form of traditional Japanese comic theater. It developed alongside Noh, was performed along with Noh as an intermission of sorts between Noh acts, on the same Noh stage, and retains close links to Noh in the modern day; therefore, it is sometimes designated Noh-kyōgen. However, its content is not at all similar to the formal, symbolic, and solemn Noh theater; kyōgen is a comical form, and its primary goal is to make its audience laugh. Kyōgen is sometimes compared to the Italian comic form of commedia dell'arte, w…