If there is a Japanese equivalent of Shakespearean theater, then perhaps it would have to be the ancient stage arts of Noh and Kyogen, though they do pre-date the famous Bard by several centuries.

Noh and Kyogen are highly stylized stage performances using colorful costumes with strict parameters of movement and carefully chanted script.

Generally speaking, Noh content deals with the old, high minded philosophical ideas and themes of ancient times, while Kyogen is comic relief--giving humorous commentary and satire about the social issues of some centuries ago.

Unfortunately, in recent years both stage arts have suffered from a decline in interest, especially among young people. However, an enterprising citizen's group in Kobe is seeking to reverse this trend, offering free Noh and Kyogen classes to young and old in an attempt to revive these art forms.

The Kobe Citizen's Cultural Promotion Foundation is actively offering free classes to young people and other interested people in the arts of Noh and Kyogen. They plan to have their youthful student actors give public performances later this year in Kobe, and they are encouraged by the public reation so far to this project.

They are teaching the unusually difficult Noh and Kyogen stage language in easier-to-understand words, in an attempt to stir up interest in the old arts and preserve the performaces for the entertainment of future generations.

The citizen's cultural group is taking a four-fold approach to this education: 1) Giving Nohgaku seminars. (Nohgaku refers to Noh studies.) Courses will be offered to participants in order for people to understand the background of Noh thinking and concepts of Noh performance. 2) This will culminate in participants giving their version of a public Noh stage performance. 3) Kyogen workshops will also be taught with the same idea of explaining the cultural background and meaning of the old scripts and performance.4) Teaching the similarities and differences of the Osaka-Kyoto area and the Tokyo area Noh and Kyogen styles and content.

In these classes, attention will also be given to construction of sets for the old plays, costumes, traditional music, understanding the complicated movements, and other traditional styles of expression.

It is hoped that there will be an added motivation to see and get more involved in supporting these ancient stage performances put on by both amateurs and professional groups, and that these arts will become a center piece for international cultural exchange at the citizen's level.

The Nippon Foundation is actively supporting the cultural preservation efforts of this Kobe citizen's group.