I’ve been given a very special invitation. Today, I’ve been invited to visit one of Kyoto’s most esteemed Noh performers at his home—a rare glimpse into a world few get to see. In the heart of this ancient city, where tradition and spirituality intertwine, lives Kawamura Haruhisa—an extraordinary man, at seventy years young, and a true guardian of Japan’s sacred cultural legacy.
To witness him perform is to step into a world where history and spirit intertwine. Every week, he graces Kyoto’s main Noh theatre, his presence a living link to the past. His reputation extends beyond Japan’s borders—he has toured the world, performing at prestigious venues like Lincoln Center in New York, sharing the subtle, hypnotic power of Noh with audiences across the globe.
Considered a national treasure, Kawamura-san is more than an artist—he is a custodian of Japan’s intangible cultural heritage. During my visit, he welcomed me into his sacred space, granting an interview and performing in full costume—dancing, singing with a quiet intensity that riveted all who watched. Each gesture, each note, carries the weight of centuries, whispering stories of ghosts, gods, and human folly.
To understand Noh is to understand Kyoto itself—a city where tradition is preserved and revered. Born in the 14th century during the Muromachi period, Noh emerged under the patronage of the imperial court and Zen Buddhist monks. Its origins lie in meditative performances that sought to transcend the mundane, blending poetry, dance, and music into a spiritual ritual.
Its minimalist stage, masks, and slow, deliberate movements evoke ghosts and gods—timeless tales whispered through Kyoto’s sacred ground—stories of life, death, and rebirth. Today, Noh remains a living tradition—an enduring dance of shadow and light, woven into Kyoto’s cultural fabric. And Kawamura Haruhisa, with every performance and every breath, continues to carry that thread forward—an unbroken voice from the past, echoing in the present.
EDITED By DARIO PARRELLA
