{"id":80347,"date":"2021-03-19T16:31:38","date_gmt":"2021-03-19T07:31:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?p=80347"},"modified":"2024-11-25T22:17:52","modified_gmt":"2024-11-25T13:17:52","slug":"japanese-prayers-through-noh-masks-and-okinawan-dances","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/japanese-prayers-through-noh-masks-and-okinawan-dances\/","title":{"rendered":"Japanese Prayers through Noh Masks and Okinawan Dances"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>If the wind blew strong through Tokyo\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/fng.or.jp\/koukyo\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Kokyo Gaien (\u7687\u5c45\u5916\u82d1) National Garden (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\"><strong>Kokyo Gaien <\/strong>(\u7687\u5c45\u5916\u82d1)<strong> National Garden<\/strong><\/a> on Sunday, gusting through rows of a captivated audience, billowing through elaborate costumes of performers on stage, whispering through microphones and swaying trees to create a <strong>moving<\/strong> <strong>backdrop around the iconic Double Bridge<\/strong> (\u4e8c\u91cd\u6a4b, Nijubashi) <strong>and<\/strong> <strong>Imperial Palace<\/strong>, it must have been a sign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Perhaps it was a sign that spring had finally arrived, that this day marked a new beginning. The third and final day of <strong>Japanese traditional performing arts <\/strong>in Japan Cultural Expo\u2019s <strong>\u201c<a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/japanculturalexpo.bunka.go.jp\/en\/rop\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\">Representation of Prayer<\/a>\u201d<\/strong> (\u7948\u308a\u306e\u304b\u305f\u3061) was successfully staged and enthusiastically received on March 14, 2021\u2014one decade after the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, one year into the global pandemic, and one day after Saturday\u2019s program was canceled by heavy rain. As humanity met nature once again on the Imperial Palace Plaza, maybe it was a sign that our <strong>collective prayers for peace, recovery, and reconstruction<\/strong> had been heard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Colorful costumes and ceremonial dances from Okinawa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Sunday\u2019s program opened with traditional <strong>Ryukyuan dances<\/strong> (\u7409\u7403\u821e\u8e0a) that flourished in the 18th century. These vividly staged diplomatic rituals were originally developed to entertain Chinese imperial envoys (\u518a\u5c01\u4f7f, <em>Sapposhi<\/em>) and later as <strong>part of Ryukyuan missions to the Japanese shogunate capital of Edo<\/strong> (present-day Tokyo) during the Ryukyu Kingdom period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031924\/inori-yutsuidaki2-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"3 traditional Okinawa dancers wearing bright hats in Japan\" data-id=\"80344\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031924\/inori-yutsuidaki2.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/inori-yutsuidaki2\/\" class=\"wp-image-80344\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031924\/inori-yutsuidaki2-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031924\/inori-yutsuidaki2-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031924\/inori-yutsuidaki2-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031924\/inori-yutsuidaki2.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031919\/inori-yutsuidaki1-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"3 traditional Ryukyu dancers in bright costumes in Japan\" data-id=\"80343\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031919\/inori-yutsuidaki1.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/inori-yutsuidaki1\/\" class=\"wp-image-80343\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031919\/inori-yutsuidaki1-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031919\/inori-yutsuidaki1-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031919\/inori-yutsuidaki1-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031919\/inori-yutsuidaki1.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031931\/inori-yutsuidaki3-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"3 traditional Okinawa dancers in front of Double Bridge and Imperial Palace in Japan\" data-id=\"80345\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031931\/inori-yutsuidaki3.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/inori-yutsuidaki3\/\" class=\"wp-image-80345\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031931\/inori-yutsuidaki3-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031931\/inori-yutsuidaki3-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031931\/inori-yutsuidaki3-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031931\/inori-yutsuidaki3.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption\">Three dancers move and clap to a gentle rhythm in the Ryukyuan women\u2019s dance \u201cYutsuidaki\u201d. \u00a9\u00a0Japan Arts Council<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The elegantly measured <strong>women\u2019s dance<\/strong> (\u5973\u8e0a, <em>onna odori<\/em>) <strong>Yutsuidaki<\/strong> (\u56db\u3064\u7af9) set the festive mood with a trio of female characters wearing exuberant hats and multicolored robes made from Okinawan Bingata (\u7d05\u578b) dyed fabric. It was followed by a gallant <strong>male dance<\/strong> (\u30cb\u624d\u8e0a, <em>nise odori<\/em>) named after the <strong>Zei<\/strong> (\u9ebe) flag carried by the dancer to banish evil and bring good harvests, often performed during banquets wearing ceremonial striped spats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031937\/inori-zei2-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"Male dancer holding flag on stage in front of bridge and palace\" class=\"wp-image-80346\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031937\/inori-zei2-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031937\/inori-zei2-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031937\/inori-zei2-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031937\/inori-zei2.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>A male dancer (Tamagusuku Seigi) brandishes a flag with moves inspired by martial arts in the Ryukyuan Nise Odori \u201cZei\u201d. \u00a9\u00a0Japan Arts Council<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>combination dance<\/strong> (\u6253\u7d44\u8e0a, <em>uchikumi odori<\/em>) <strong>Shundo<\/strong> (\u919c\u7ae5, ugly child) was especially entertaining, like a cartoon story brought to life by <strong>bright costumes, relatable caricatures, and contrasting dance styles<\/strong>. When two ugly women (defined by their simple attire, unrefined moves, and most significantly, masks) are snubbed by two pretty women, it\u2019s the ugly women who have the last laugh. (Also worth noting is that all the dancers are played by men.) Shundo is the <strong>only classical Ryukyu dance performed with masks<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031855\/inori-shundo1-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"2 dancers in red, 2 dancers in blue on stage in front of bridge and Japanese palace\" data-id=\"80339\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031855\/inori-shundo1.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/inori-shundo1\/\" class=\"wp-image-80339\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031855\/inori-shundo1-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031855\/inori-shundo1-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031855\/inori-shundo1-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031855\/inori-shundo1.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031902\/inori-shundo2-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"traditional Japanese dance with 2 Okinawan dancers in blue on stage in Japan\" data-id=\"80340\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031902\/inori-shundo2.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/inori-shundo2\/\" class=\"wp-image-80340\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031902\/inori-shundo2-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031902\/inori-shundo2-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031902\/inori-shundo2-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031902\/inori-shundo2.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031907\/inori-shundo3-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"traditional Japanese dance, 2 dancers in red, 2 dancers in blue on stage in front of Imperial Palace in Japan\" data-id=\"80341\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031907\/inori-shundo3.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/inori-shundo3\/\" class=\"wp-image-80341\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031907\/inori-shundo3-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031907\/inori-shundo3-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031907\/inori-shundo3-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031907\/inori-shundo3.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption\">Masked ugly women mock the graceful dance of pretty women in the Ryukyuan dance \u201cShundo\u201d. \u00a9\u00a0Japan Arts Council<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>Ryukyuan classical musical ensemble<\/strong> was composed of three-stringed <strong>sanshin<\/strong> (\u4e09\u7dda) and the bowed stringed <strong>kucho<\/strong> (\u80e1\u5f13) (both snakeskin instruments which inspired mainland Japan\u2019s catskin shamisen and kokyu), as well as <strong>koto<\/strong> (\u7b8f), <strong>flute<\/strong> (\u7b1b, fue) and <strong>drum<\/strong> (\u592a\u9f13, taiko). Augmented by the choir of sanshin players\u2019 gentle voices, the Ryukyuan ensemble created pleasing melodies and androgynous tones in flowing songs that, still today, would readily be associated with the subtropical Okinawan islands. All performed with <strong>heartfelt prayers for the safe reconstruction of <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/okinawa-shuri-castle\/\" class=\"ek-link\"><strong>Okinawa\u2019s Shuri Castle<\/strong> (\u9996\u91cc\u57ce)<\/a>, a world heritage <em>gusuku<\/em> site that burned down in October 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Noh masks and lion dances in Tokyo\u2019s Imperial Gardens<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s something exciting about seeing a <strong>live Noh performance on an outdoor Noh stage<\/strong>, featuring the symbolic bridgeway (\u6a4b\u639b\u304b\u308a, <em>hashigakari<\/em>) that leads past the striped curtain to the backstage mirror room\u2014and into another realm\u2014all surrounded by ceremonial gravel, in the open air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For these special performances of <strong>\u201c<a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/japanculturalexpo.bunka.go.jp\/en\/rop\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\">Representation of Prayer<\/a>\u201d in Kokyo Gaien National Garden<\/strong> in Tokyo, even better than Noh theater\u2019s conventional roof and painted mirror board was the <strong>majestic live backdrop of the white Imperial Palace behind the Edo-period Double Bridge<\/strong>. From the bright sun to the strong breeze, as audience members, we could fancy ourselves as imperial subjects watching popular entertainment, just as people did in centuries past.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031815\/inori-iwafune-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"Noh dancer on stage in front of bridge and palace\" class=\"wp-image-80332\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031815\/inori-iwafune-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031815\/inori-iwafune-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031815\/inori-iwafune-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031815\/inori-iwafune.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>The maibayashi dancer (Hosho Kazafusa) pays a powerful tribute to mutually beneficial sea trade in \u201cIwafune\u201d. \u00a9\u00a0Japan Arts Council<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Iwafune<\/strong> (\u5ca9\u8239, stone ship) was performed as a more informal <strong>maibayashi<\/strong> (\u821e\u56c3\u5b50) Noh dance without masks, but still preserving all the precise movements characteristic of Noh drama. The dance <strong>celebrates the divine vessel as a symbol of rich trade<\/strong> between Japan and China during the Muromachi period (1336-1573).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was also a chance for the non-initiated to acquaint ourselves with the minimalist ensemble of <strong>Noh musicians<\/strong> (\u56c3\u5b50, hayashi) and <strong>chorus<\/strong> (\u5730\u8b21, jiutai). Together they created the entire scene with their narrative baritone chants, percussive drum beats, and punctuating cries, topped by the high-pitched curls and whistles of the <strong>nohkan<\/strong> (\u80fd\u7ba1) flute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Traditionally, <strong>Noh theater<\/strong> (\u80fd\u697d, nogaku) includes short <strong>kyogen<\/strong> (\u72c2\u8a00) <strong>interludes for comic relief<\/strong>. The classic farce <strong>Kusabira<\/strong> (\u8338, mushrooms) offered a surreal distraction from the solemn themes of formal Noh drama. In it, a hapless man\u2019s garden becomes overrun by pullulating <strong>giant mushrooms,<\/strong> <strong>each with its own unique appearance and personality expressed through quirky masks, costumes, and hats<\/strong>, all mocking the clueless incantations of the <em>yamabushi<\/em> (\u5c71\u4f0f) itinerant monk called upon to quell them. The play culminates in the Onidake (\u9b3c\u8338) demon mushroom shooting out its malevolent spores in revenge!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031821\/inori-kusabira1-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"Traditional Japanese Kyogen Noh performers on stage in front of bridge and palace in Japan\" data-id=\"80333\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031821\/inori-kusabira1.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/inori-kusabira1\/\" class=\"wp-image-80333\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031821\/inori-kusabira1-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031821\/inori-kusabira1-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031821\/inori-kusabira1-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031821\/inori-kusabira1.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031826\/inori-kusabira2-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"Traditional Japanese Kyogen Noh performers on stage in front of Imperial Palace in Japan\" data-id=\"80334\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031826\/inori-kusabira2.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/inori-kusabira2\/\" class=\"wp-image-80334\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031826\/inori-kusabira2-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031826\/inori-kusabira2-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031826\/inori-kusabira2-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031826\/inori-kusabira2.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031832\/inori-kusabira3-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"Traditional Japanese Kyogen  Noh performers on stage in front of Japan's Imperial Palace\" data-id=\"80335\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031832\/inori-kusabira3.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/inori-kusabira3\/\" class=\"wp-image-80335\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031832\/inori-kusabira3-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031832\/inori-kusabira3-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031832\/inori-kusabira3-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031832\/inori-kusabira3.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption\">The yamabushi\u2019s \u201cBoron&#8230;\u201d incantation only seems to summon more mushrooms in the comedic kyogen \u201cKusabira\u201d. \u00a9\u00a0Japan Arts Council<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The felicitous <strong>Noh<\/strong> (\u80fd) <strong>finale<\/strong> of all the special performances in Kokyo Gaien National Garden was <strong>Shakkyo<\/strong> (\u5ca9\u6a4b, stone bridge), staged by the <strong>Kanze school<\/strong> (\u89b3\u4e16\u6d41). Auspiciously, the Imperial Double Bridge represented the natural stone bridge at Mount Sh\u014dry\u014dzen in China that leads to the Pure Land of Manjusri Bodhisattva. When the monk Jakusho hesitates to cross the sacred bridge, three <em>sennin<\/em> (\u4ed9\u4eba) mountain hermits chat and drink near the scene, waiting for the guardian lions to appear. It isn\u2019t until after they finally leave that the much anticipated <strong>red and white lion spirits<\/strong> (\u7345\u5b50, shishi) emerge and dance vigorously among the red and white peonies in a <strong>splendid celebration of eternal vitality<\/strong>. While the <a href=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/kabuki-medley-spotlights-timeless-sounds-japan\/\" class=\"ek-link\">Kabuki Shakkyo lion dance<\/a> portrays a more lyrical human-like figure, the Noh Shakkyo <em><strong>shishimai<\/strong><\/em> (\u7345\u5b50\u821e) gives a more symbolically primitive impression, with <strong>animal-like twitches of the creatures\u2019 feathery manes around fiercely expressive masks<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-4 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031839\/inori-shakkyo1-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"Traditional Japanese Noh performers on stage in Japan\" data-id=\"80336\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031839\/inori-shakkyo1.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/inori-shakkyo1\/\" class=\"wp-image-80336\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031839\/inori-shakkyo1-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031839\/inori-shakkyo1-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031839\/inori-shakkyo1-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031839\/inori-shakkyo1.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031845\/inori-shakkyo2-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"Traditional Japanese Noh lion dance performers on stage in Japan\" data-id=\"80337\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031845\/inori-shakkyo2.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/inori-shakkyo2\/\" class=\"wp-image-80337\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031845\/inori-shakkyo2-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031845\/inori-shakkyo2-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031845\/inori-shakkyo2-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031845\/inori-shakkyo2.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031850\/inori-shakkyo3-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"Traditional Japanese Noh dance where 2 white shishi and 2 red shishi on stage in front of Imperial Palace in Japan\" data-id=\"80338\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031850\/inori-shakkyo3.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/inori-shakkyo3\/\" class=\"wp-image-80338\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031850\/inori-shakkyo3-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031850\/inori-shakkyo3-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031850\/inori-shakkyo3-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031850\/inori-shakkyo3.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption\">White parent and red child <em>shishi<\/em> dance euphorically among the peonies around the Stone Bridge in the Noh finale \u201cShakkyo\u201d. \u00a9\u00a0Japan Arts Council<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">More upcoming Japanese performing arts, fashion, and architecture in 2021<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you missed the live performances of <strong>\u201c<a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/japanculturalexpo.bunka.go.jp\/en\/rop\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\">Representation of Prayer<\/a>\u201d at Kokyo Gaien National Garden in Tokyo<\/strong>, you can still <strong>watch the video s<\/strong><strong>t<\/strong><strong>reams online<\/strong> through March 30 (\u00a51,200). Not only will you be able to enjoy the outdoor performances in the comfort and convenience of your own home, but <strong>the high-quality videos also offer close-up views of the Noh stage and performers from different camera angles<\/strong>, so that you can appreciate every detail of the finely crafted masks, costumes, instruments and movements of Noh, Kyogen and other Japanese traditional performing arts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Throughout 2021, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/japanculturalexpo.bunka.go.jp\/en\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\">Japan Cultural Expo<\/a><\/strong> programs continue to showcase the harmonious relationships between <strong>\u201cHumanity and Nature in Japan\u201d<\/strong>, from Ainu traditions in Hokkaido to Ryukyu performing arts in Okinawa, from the ancient Jomon civilization to contemporary trends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Upcoming highlights include <strong><a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/artfairtokyo.com\/2021\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\">Art Fair Tokyo<\/a><\/strong> (March 19 \u2013 21), the \u201c<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.grandtoit.jp\/museum\/fij2020\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\">Fashion in Japan 1945-2020<\/a><\/strong>\u201d exhibition at the Iwami Art Museum in Shimane prefecture (March 20 \u2013 May 16), and the National Art Center in Tokyo (July 9 \u2013 September 6), and Japanese architect <strong><a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/kumakengo2020.jp\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\">Kuma Kengo\u2019s \u201cFive Purr-fect Points for a New Public Space\u201d<\/a><\/strong> at the Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum (through March 28) and the National Museum of Modern Art in Tokyo (June 18 \u2013 September 26).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If the wind blew strong through Tokyo\u2019s Kokyo Gaien (\u7687\u5c45\u5916\u82d1) National Garden on Sunday, gusting through rows of a captivated&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":161,"featured_media":80342,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"pgc_meta":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[26,2051,1408],"tags":[1320,2175,2061,1362],"class_list":{"0":"post-80347","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-culture","8":"category-events","9":"category-kanto","10":"tag-garden","11":"tag-noh-theater","12":"tag-performing-arts","13":"tag-tradition"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Japan Cultural Expo Highlights: Noh Theater &amp; Okinawan Dances<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Here are the first-day highlights of Japan Cultural Expo&#039;s Noh theater &amp; traditional Okinawan dances held in front of the Imperial Palace.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/japanese-prayers-through-noh-masks-and-okinawan-dances\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Japan Cultural Expo Highlights: Noh Theater &amp; Okinawan Dances\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Here are the first-day highlights of Japan Cultural Expo&#039;s Noh theater &amp; traditional Okinawan dances held in front of the Imperial Palace.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/japanese-prayers-through-noh-masks-and-okinawan-dances\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"VOYAPON\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2021-03-19T07:31:38+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-11-25T13:17:52+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031914\/inori-yutsuidaki0.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1280\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"853\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Cherise Fong\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Cherise Fong\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"9 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/japanese-prayers-through-noh-masks-and-okinawan-dances\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/japanese-prayers-through-noh-masks-and-okinawan-dances\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Cherise Fong\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/#\/schema\/person\/fd2d1e6e1250a59648711d6e7f17f09f\"},\"headline\":\"Japanese Prayers through Noh Masks and Okinawan Dances\",\"datePublished\":\"2021-03-19T07:31:38+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-11-25T13:17:52+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/japanese-prayers-through-noh-masks-and-okinawan-dances\/\"},\"wordCount\":1228,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/japanese-prayers-through-noh-masks-and-okinawan-dances\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031914\/inori-yutsuidaki0.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Japanese Garden\",\"Noh theater\",\"Performing arts\",\"Traditional Arts\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Culture\",\"Events\",\"Kanto\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/japanese-prayers-through-noh-masks-and-okinawan-dances\/#respond\"]}],\"copyrightYear\":\"2021\",\"copyrightHolder\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/#organization\"}},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/japanese-prayers-through-noh-masks-and-okinawan-dances\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/japanese-prayers-through-noh-masks-and-okinawan-dances\/\",\"name\":\"Japan Cultural Expo Highlights: Noh Theater & Okinawan Dances\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/japanese-prayers-through-noh-masks-and-okinawan-dances\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/japanese-prayers-through-noh-masks-and-okinawan-dances\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031914\/inori-yutsuidaki0.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2021-03-19T07:31:38+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-11-25T13:17:52+00:00\",\"description\":\"Here are the first-day highlights of Japan Cultural Expo's Noh theater & traditional Okinawan dances held in front of the Imperial Palace.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/japanese-prayers-through-noh-masks-and-okinawan-dances\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/japanese-prayers-through-noh-masks-and-okinawan-dances\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/japanese-prayers-through-noh-masks-and-okinawan-dances\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031914\/inori-yutsuidaki0.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031914\/inori-yutsuidaki0.jpg\",\"width\":1280,\"height\":853,\"caption\":\"Three dancers on stage in front of a bridge and Imperial Palace\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/japanese-prayers-through-noh-masks-and-okinawan-dances\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Japanese Prayers through Noh Masks and Okinawan Dances\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/\",\"name\":\"VOYAPON\",\"description\":\"Japan Travel Visitors Guide\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Voyapon\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/10162038\/logo_voyapon.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/10162038\/logo_voyapon.jpg\",\"width\":1417,\"height\":1417,\"caption\":\"Voyapon\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/#\/schema\/person\/fd2d1e6e1250a59648711d6e7f17f09f\",\"name\":\"Cherise Fong\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/23174811\/cherise3-100.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/23174811\/cherise3-100.jpg\",\"caption\":\"Cherise Fong\"},\"description\":\"Originally from San Francisco, currently living in Tokyo, preferably traveling by bicycle. Always seeking out invisible ecosystems, untold stories and new perspectives to connect Japan's cultural and physical landscapes.\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/author\/cherise\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Japan Cultural Expo Highlights: Noh Theater & Okinawan Dances","description":"Here are the first-day highlights of Japan Cultural Expo's Noh theater & traditional Okinawan dances held in front of the Imperial Palace.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/japanese-prayers-through-noh-masks-and-okinawan-dances\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Japan Cultural Expo Highlights: Noh Theater & Okinawan Dances","og_description":"Here are the first-day highlights of Japan Cultural Expo's Noh theater & traditional Okinawan dances held in front of the Imperial Palace.","og_url":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/japanese-prayers-through-noh-masks-and-okinawan-dances\/","og_site_name":"VOYAPON","article_published_time":"2021-03-19T07:31:38+00:00","article_modified_time":"2024-11-25T13:17:52+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1280,"height":853,"url":"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031914\/inori-yutsuidaki0.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Cherise Fong","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Cherise Fong","Est. reading time":"9 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/japanese-prayers-through-noh-masks-and-okinawan-dances\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/japanese-prayers-through-noh-masks-and-okinawan-dances\/"},"author":{"name":"Cherise Fong","@id":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/#\/schema\/person\/fd2d1e6e1250a59648711d6e7f17f09f"},"headline":"Japanese Prayers through Noh Masks and Okinawan Dances","datePublished":"2021-03-19T07:31:38+00:00","dateModified":"2024-11-25T13:17:52+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/japanese-prayers-through-noh-masks-and-okinawan-dances\/"},"wordCount":1228,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/japanese-prayers-through-noh-masks-and-okinawan-dances\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031914\/inori-yutsuidaki0.jpg","keywords":["Japanese Garden","Noh theater","Performing arts","Traditional Arts"],"articleSection":["Culture","Events","Kanto"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/voyapon.com\/japanese-prayers-through-noh-masks-and-okinawan-dances\/#respond"]}],"copyrightYear":"2021","copyrightHolder":{"@id":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/#organization"}},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/japanese-prayers-through-noh-masks-and-okinawan-dances\/","url":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/japanese-prayers-through-noh-masks-and-okinawan-dances\/","name":"Japan Cultural Expo Highlights: Noh Theater & Okinawan Dances","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/japanese-prayers-through-noh-masks-and-okinawan-dances\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/japanese-prayers-through-noh-masks-and-okinawan-dances\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031914\/inori-yutsuidaki0.jpg","datePublished":"2021-03-19T07:31:38+00:00","dateModified":"2024-11-25T13:17:52+00:00","description":"Here are the first-day highlights of Japan Cultural Expo's Noh theater & traditional Okinawan dances held in front of the Imperial Palace.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/japanese-prayers-through-noh-masks-and-okinawan-dances\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/voyapon.com\/japanese-prayers-through-noh-masks-and-okinawan-dances\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/japanese-prayers-through-noh-masks-and-okinawan-dances\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031914\/inori-yutsuidaki0.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/17031914\/inori-yutsuidaki0.jpg","width":1280,"height":853,"caption":"Three dancers on stage in front of a bridge and Imperial Palace"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/japanese-prayers-through-noh-masks-and-okinawan-dances\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Japanese Prayers through Noh Masks and Okinawan Dances"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/","name":"VOYAPON","description":"Japan Travel Visitors Guide","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/#organization","name":"Voyapon","url":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/10162038\/logo_voyapon.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/10162038\/logo_voyapon.jpg","width":1417,"height":1417,"caption":"Voyapon"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/#\/schema\/person\/fd2d1e6e1250a59648711d6e7f17f09f","name":"Cherise Fong","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/23174811\/cherise3-100.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/23174811\/cherise3-100.jpg","caption":"Cherise Fong"},"description":"Originally from San Francisco, currently living in Tokyo, preferably traveling by bicycle. Always seeking out invisible ecosystems, untold stories and new perspectives to connect Japan's cultural and physical landscapes.","url":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/author\/cherise\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/80347","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/161"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=80347"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/80347\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/80342"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=80347"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=80347"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=80347"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}