Years of Kurokawa Noh
807
Kasuga Shrine founded.
859–877
It is said that Emperor Seiwa (850–881) teaches noh to Kurokawa villagers.
1394–1427
It is said that Emperor Gokomatsu’s third son, Prince Ogawa, who taught noh to people in Kurokawa, is believed to have died in Kurokawa during this period.
1462
A copper mirror estimated to date from 1462 is preserved at Kasuga Shrine.
1463
It is said that Muto Sumiuji (d. 1512) visits the then-capital (Kyoto). He sees a noh performance and develops a friendship with the actors. It is believed this is the reason noh became prolific in Kurokawa.
1522
It is said that Muto Harutoki (1512–1541) meets Ashikaga Yoshiharu (1511–1550) and sees a noh performance. It is probable that Harutoki returned to Kurokawa with actors and used noh music and dance in ceremonies held at the Kasuga Shrine.
1532
It is said that A secret book about Kurokawa Noh is written.
1568
The ornaments decorating Kasuga Shrine are added to the building.
1572
Three noh masks made by Shiraiwa kaga are obtained by shimoza(lower troupe).
1624
A document from this year shows that Kasuga Jinja Shrine was known as Shinzan Myojin and that Kurokawa Noh was performed by the upper troupe (kamiza) and lower troupe (shimoza).
1674
Daimyo Sakai Tadayoshi (1644–1681) orders the construction of Kasuga Shrine’s main sanctuary (honden).
1690
The Sakai daimyo orders a performance of Kurokawa Noh at Tsurugaoka Castle. After the performance, the daimyo presents the troupes with a hundred bales of rice, drums, and other gifts.
1704
Public performances of noh are held in Sakata and Tsuruoka. The Sakai family permits the repair of costumes using the profit from the performances, ushering in the beginning of noh supported by admission fees and donations.
1727
The ruling daimyo rejects a request to hold public performances of noh. In the following year, the name of the deity enshrined at Kasuga Shrine is changed from Shinzan Myojin to Kurokawa Mura Shisho Daimyojin (deity of Kurokawa Village).
1739
The worship hall (haiden) at Kasuga Jinja Shrine is constructed. It is still in use today.
1751
Permission is granted for a public noh performance but postponed because of a fire in Sakata.
1793
- With the permission of the daimyo, public performances of noh take place for 10 days each in Tsuruoka and Sakata.
- The name Kasuga Daimyojin (referring to Kasuga Shrine) was used on wooden signs (komafuda) for the first time.
1797
The daimyo sends bales of brown rice to the toya (lay officiant) of the Ogi Festival and gives one bale to the shrine to generate cash to repair the shrine and costumes. (One bale is about 60 kg).
1871
The territory of the shrine is taken over by the Meiji government, resulting in a simpler Ogi Festival.
1872
Kurokawa Noh performances are held to celebrate the completion of the Kotai Jinja Shrine in Kamiyamazoe.
1876
Kasuga Jinja Shrine is designated a gosha (high-ranking shrine in the Shinto hierarchy).
1881
Emperor Meiji attends Kurokawa Noh at Kiyokawa Elementary School.
1897
An agreement is reached on performances by the upper and lower troupes.
1910
A performance is presented at Yasukuni Jinja Shrine in Tokyo.
1925
Prince Regent (later Emperor Showa) visits city of Yamagata.
1944
Ueno Sakyo is named the 19th tayu (troupe leader) of the lower troupe (shimoza).
1946
Kenmotsu Izumi is named the 23rd tayu of the upper troupe (kamiza).
1950
The Kurokawa Noh Research Society is established and publishes a photobook about Kurokawa Noh.
1951
The Kurokawa Noh Preservation Society is established and presents a performance at an art festival sponsored by the Ministry of Education.
1953
Tokyo National Museum technician Yamabe Tomoyuki conducts research on the costumes of Kurokawa Noh.
1954
Nihon University’s College of Art produces a 16mm film about Ogi Festival and Kurokawa Noh.
1956
- Tokyo National Museum art historian and specialist in the study of sculpture Noma Seiroku (1902–1966) researches the masks of Kurokawa Noh.
- The Yamagata Prefectural Cultural Property Conservation Association designates four parts of the Kasuga Jinja Shrine complex as Valuable Cultural Properties.
1957
The Yamagata Prefectural Board of Education designates Kurokawa Noh an Intangible
Cultural Property.
1958
Kurokawa Noh receives the Saito Mokichi Cultural Award, which recognizes remarkable achievements in preserving the culture of Yamagata Prefecture.
1959
- A sake brewer supplying the Ogi Festival is accused of violating the Sake Brewing Law.
- Kushibiki Board of Education publishes Kurokawa Noh shiryo (Kurokawa Noh Historical Materials).
1960
More than 400 large cedar trees in the Kasuga Jinja Shrine precinct are cut down and sold to generate funds to pay for the fine of the Sake Brewing Law violation and shrine renovations.
1966
- Kanze Hisao (influential noh actor; 1925–1978) attends the Ogi Festival. He performs in front of the shrine after the festival and speaks to Kurokawa residents about noh.
- Publisher Heibonsha features Kurokawa Noh in the February issue of the popular monthly magazine Taiyo.
1970
The Kurokawa Noh Preservation Society is recognized by the Agency for Cultural Affairs.
1971
Kurokawa Noh receives the Kawakita Cultural Award.
1974
Kushibiki-machi shi: Kurokawa noh shi (Kushibiki History: The History Kurokawa Noh), is published.
1976
Kurokawa Noh is designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property by the Ministry of Culture.
1984
The first Suien no Noh (torchlight noh on the water) is held. It receives the eighth Yoshikawa Eiji Culture Award.
1985
- Local Culture Preservation Training Center is built.
- Noh costumes (two kariginu and one kosode) are designated National Cultural Properties.
- A three-day special performance is held at the National Noh Theater.
1986
Kurokawa Noh Preservation Tradition Business Promotion Association is established and receives the Kanze Hisao Memorial Hosei University Noh Award.
1988
Kurokawa Noh receives the Suntory Regional Culture Award.
1989
Kenmotsu Matsuji is named the 24th tayu of the upper troupe (kamiza).
1991
A goodwill delegation performs Kurokawa Noh in Colorado in the United States to mark the fifth anniversary of the twinning of Colorado and Yamagata. The delegation receives the Akarui Yamagata MVP Award.
1992
- Prince Takamado visits Kasuga Jinja Shrine during the Benibana National Athletic Meet.
- Kurokawa Noh receives the Yamagata Shimbun Peace Prize.
1993
Kurokawa Noh receives the first Regional Traditional Performing Arts Award.
1994
First Rosoku Noh (candlelight noh) performance is held.
1997
Kenmotsu Matsuji, tayu of the upper troupe (kamiza), teaches Ueno Yoshibu of the lower troupe (shimoza). The following year, Ueno is named the 20th tayu of the shimoza.
2002
- Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko visit the National Tree Planting Festival and attend Kurokawa Noh at Yunohama Hot Spring.
- Ueno Yoshibu, tayu of the lower troupe (shimoza), teaches Saito Kenichi, a member of the upper troupe (kamiza) the rituals related to being a tayu. The following year, Saito is named the 25th tayu of the kamiza.
2003
The Kurokawa Noh Preservation Society receives the NHK Tohoku Furusato (hometown) Award.