Knowing, learning, polishing ― discover the “new” in tradition this summer.

Established in 1984, Traditional Theater Training (T.T.T.) is a summer training program in classical Japanese performing arts offered to practitioners and researchers. The program invites participants to a four-week intensive training period, culminating in a recital at the century-old Ōe Nō Theater. In 2026, the program will offer courses in Kyōgen and Nihonbuyō, with an optional add-on course in Kotsuzumi. Under the guidance of distinguished masters, participants learn the techniques and spirit of Japanese traditional performing arts, gaining the opportunity to deepen their knowledge and discover new physicality and expression. This is a practice-based, intensive program, although participants are encouraged to independently study the historical and aesthetic backgrounds.

　　　　▲Recital (2025, Nō・Nihonbuyō・Kotsuzumi) Photo: Oshima Takuya


■Dates
Wednesday, July 1 – Friday, July 31, 2026


■Courses
・Kyōgen (Classical Comedy) Course, Nihonbuyō (Classical Japanese Dance) Course
　*Approximately 16 three-hour sessions each (evenings)
　*Applicants may participate in only one Course.
・Optional Add-on Course: Kotsuzumi (Shoulder Drum)
　*Approximately 6 sessions (afternoons)
*Course offerings are rotated annually, Nō and Kyōgen are tentatively scheduled for 2027. Those interested in Nihonbuyō are encouraged to apply this year as it is unlikely to be offered next year.


■Venue
Kyoto Art Center, Ōe Nō Theater


■Teachers
Kyōgen: Shigeyama Sennojo, Suzuki Minoru, Yamashita Moriyuki
Nihonbuyō: Wakayagi Yayoi
Kotsuzumi: Hisada Yasuko, Takahashi Naoko


■Requirements for Application
Open to all students and teachers, researchers and artists actively involved with artistic forms of expression such as theater and dance. Those interested in Japanese culture, regardless of educational or artistic background, are also encouraged to apply. Open to all nationalities and ages. Japanese language proficiency is not required. Participants should be able to commit to attending all scheduled sessions, from orientation to the final recital.
*Applicants applying from countries that require visas for travel to Japan are encouraged to apply early to allow time for visa processing. Though Kyoto Art Center cannot sponsor visas for T.T.T. participants, we can provide organizational references for visa paperwork.  We can also provide letters of support for those looking to secure outside funding.
*All programs will be conducted primarily in Japanese, with English interpretation and translation available.
*Applicants under 18 need permission from a parent or legal guardian to take part.
*Please note that press coverage may take place during T.T.T.


■Course Capacity
Approximately 8 participants per course


■Tuition (Tax Included)
Kyōgen Course / Nihonbuyō Course: 110,000 yen
Student Discount / Repeater Discount: 90,000 yen
Optional Kotsuzumi Course: 27,000 yen
*Tuition includes training and recital fees, as well as recital video and photo data (digital copies).
*A course specific folding fan (ōgi/sensu) is required for training and the recital and costs an additional 5,500 yen (tax included).
*Participants wear white cotton tabi (split-toed socks) for all rehearsals. For the recital, and Nihonbuyō classes, yukata (cotton summer kimono）and obi sashes are required–participants may use their own or rent from KAC. We will advise participants where to purchase these at the orientation.
*Kyoto Art Center does not offer accommodation or accommodation arrangement services. Please make your own arrangements.


■Schedule
① Orientation
Wednesday, July 1, 2026, 14:00
Participants will receive an overview of the respective Courses’ styles of practice and recital contents, along with opportunities to connect and interact with one another.

② Workshops
Thursday, July 2 – Sunday, July 5, 2026
Participants will first get a taste of each of the traditional Japanese performing arts in group workshops in Nō, Kyōgen, Nihonbuyō and Kotsuzumi. Participants are expected to attend all workshops, regardless of which course they enroll in.

③Training
Monday, July 6 – Thursday, July 30, 2026
Participants will divide into respective courses and study intensively in groups led by Japanese masters, active professional artists. Participants will not only gain skills in the art, but also physically experience the spirituality of traditional performance through formal practice.
*Kyōgen and Nihonbuyō courses will be scheduled primarily in the evening. The optional Kotsuzumi course will be scheduled in the afternoon.
*Courses may run during the weekdays or weekends according to teacher availability, however some rest days will be scheduled throughout.
*Due to the Gion Festival, there will be no formal activities planned from July 14 – July 16. Participants are encouraged to enjoy the festivities and there may be some optional group outings planned during these days.
*Performance pieces for the recital will be selected by the teachers based on participants’ abilities and preferences.
*Venues for ①, ②, ③ will be Kyoto Art Center

④Recital
Friday, July 31, 2026, 16:00
Venue: Ōe Nō Theatre (Nakagyo ward, Kyoto city)
Participants perform dance, chant, and short plays on this hundred year-old Nō stage, supported by their teachers, who will also offer special professional performances.


■Application Period
Monday, March 9 – Wednesday, April 8, 2026, 23:59 (JST)
*Applicants are encouraged to apply early, and will be notified of the results on a rolling basis, no later than early May. Deadline may be shortened or extended until the courses are fully enrolled.


■How to Apply
1) Online Application Form
Please apply via the following form:
https://forms.gle/JcR59ZgDd6VegpKp9
*You may need a Google account to apply via the form. You do not need to upload [A] Application Form from the〈Application Documents〉listed below, when applying via the form.

2) E-mail
Please send〈Application Documents〉to both e-mail addresses below. [A] Application Form can be downloaded online.
E-mail:
Both t.t.t@kac.or.jp (Kyoto Art Center, T.T.T. Office) ＆ jtraynor@hawaii.edu (T.T.T. Director, Jane Traynor)
*Please direct any questions to the T.T.T. Program Director Jane Traynor at jtraynor@hawaii.edu, cc-ing t.t.t@kac.or.jp ,including “T.T.T. 2026” in the e-mail subject line.

3) Postal Mail
Please send〈Application Documents〉listed below to Kyoto Art Center.
Address:
Yamabushiyama-cho 546-2, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8156, Japan
Kyoto Art Center, T.T.T. Office

〈Application Documents〉
[A] Application Form
[B] C.V. (educational and/or artistic background, free format, A4 size, 5 pages or less, pdf format, 10MB or less in total) *Please complete your profile.
[C] Statement of Purpose (free format, A4, 1 page or less, pdf format, 10MB or less in total)
[D] Headshot
[E] Proof of Student Status (if applying for student tuition)
[F] Scholarship Application Form (if applicable)
*It is preferable that the information be provided in either English or Japanese.


■ Scholarship Details
Whenever funds allow, T.T.T. strives to make itself more accessible to individuals of all backgrounds by the offering tuition scholarships. If you wish to be considered for a tuition scholarship, please submit [F] Scholarship Application Form addressing the following topics: 
—
[F] Scholarship Application Form (free format, A4, within 1 page)
①A description of your proposed artistic or research project (include timeline, scope, and any prior preparations)
②How your participation with T.T.T. will support this project
③Plans on how to disseminate your project and related training experiences (website, journal, social media, public performances, teaching, etc) 
—
*A limited number of applicants will be selected. Successful applicants will have up to 50% of their tuition waived. Acceptance results will be sent by early May.
*Scholarships will be granted based on a combination of factors including project feasibility and potential scope of reach, as well as financial need.


■Teachers Profile
〈Kyōgen〉
Shigeyama Sennojō
Ōkura School kyōgen actor. Born in 1983, he apprenticed with his grandfather, Sennojō II. His first stage performance was at the age of three. In the same year, he had his first lead role in the play Iroha. In May of 2006, he appeared in Tsurigitsune (Snaring the fox). Sennojō attended an American school in Japan, and is a bilingual kyōgen performer. In December 2018 he was given the name Shigeyama Sennojō III. He received the Encouragement Prize at the 37th Kyoto Prefecture Cultural Awards in 2019.

Suzuki Minoru
Born in 1978 in Tokyo, Suzuki began kyōgen apprenticeship under Shigeyama Senzaburō in 2006. He first began theater activities at university, working as an actor and model in the Kanto region. His first kyōgen performance was Bō shibari in 2006, in commemoration of the opening of the Japan Foundation, New Delhi. He joined the Kyoto Nōgaku Training School in 2007. In 2011, he founded the Kyōgen Goshō-kai with other young members of the Ōkura School. He has apprenticed with Shigeyama Shime since 2021.

Yamashita Moriyuki
Born 1976 in Kagoshima, he began his apprenticeship under Shigeyama Sengorō XIII (Sensaku V) in 2001 after meeting Shigeyama Masakuni (now Sengorō). In 2002, Yamashita returned to his hometown of Kagoshima, where he promoted kyōgen through outreach and workshops. In 2008, determined to make a fresh start as a professional, he underwent a second apprenticeship under Shigeyama Sengorō XIII (Sensaku V).

〈Nihonbuyō〉
Wakayagi Yayoi
Wakayagi School Nihonbuyō dancer. She began her apprenticeship at age two under her mother, Wakayagi Kinya. Since 2014, she has been trained under the fourth head of the Wakayagi School, Wakayagi Juen. She hosts the “Kaname Recital” and runs her own Nihonbuyō studio. She is dedicated to fostering the next generation of dancers and further developing the art.

〈Kotsuzumi〉
Hisada Yasuko
Ōkura School kotsuzumi player. Hisada trained under the 16th family head, Ōkura Genjirō, as well as her father Hisada Shunichirō. She graduated from the Osaka Nogaku Training Society performing the Nō Midare and Shakkyō. In 2005, she received the Osaka Performing Arts Upcoming Artist Award for Dōjōji. In 2010, she performed Ataka at the privately sponsored Kousuke and Yasuko Nō Performance. She is passionate about promoting nōgaku and the preservation of the traditional performing arts.


Takahashi Naoko
Ōkura School kotsuzumi player. Takahashi trained under Hisada Shunichirō and graduated from the Osaka Nogaku Training Society in 2004 with a performance of Shōjō Midare and Shakkyō  in 2009. She organizes the Shogetsu troupe alongside her teacher Hisada Shunichirō and Hisada Yasuko. She also lectures in classrooms around the country providing traditional cultural education.


■Organization, Staff
Director, interpreter: Jane Traynor
Adviser: Jonah Salz
Kyoto Art Center (Kyoto Arts and Culture Foundation)

Jane Traynor
Jane Traynor is a PhD candidate in the Department of Theatre and Dance at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa specializing in Japanese theatre. Her research focuses on the depictions of oni (demons) in kyōgen theatre, and the transmission of, and new developments in, traditional Japanese arts. As a three time T.T.T. participant, she is excited to help make the traditional Japanese arts more accessible in her new role.

Jonah Salz
Jonah Salz co-founded and directed T.T.T. in 1984. He has directed 40 plays for the Noho Theatre Group. He has taught traditional Japanese comparative theatre as a founding member of the Faculty of International Studies at Ryukoku University, Kyoto, from 1996-2024. He co-edited the kyōgen special issue of Asian Theatre Journal (2007) and A History of Japanese Theatre (Cambridge, 2016).


■Inquiries
Kyoto Art Center, T.T.T. Office
E-mail: t.t.t@kac.or.jp
TEL: 075-213-1000（10:00-18:00, excluding closed days）


　　　　 ▼Training, Workshops (2025)