Japanese Literary Awards

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Tojiro Yamamoto

やまもと とうじろう

yamamoto tojiro

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1937-05-05 (Wada, Suginami, Tokyo, Japan)
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Wada, Suginami, Tokyo, Japan

Career

Occupations
Kyogen performer, Noh actor
Active Years
1942-
Affiliations
Suginami Nohgakudo (chairman), Yamamoto-kai (Yamamoto Tojiro family)

Education

Kokugakuin University
Japanese Literature
Year of Graduation: 1961
Country: Japan

Awards

Ministry of Education Art Festival Encouragement Prize
1964
Organization: Ministry of Education (now Agency for Cultural Affairs)
Result: 受賞
Art Encouragement Prize (Minister of Education Award)
1992
Organization: Arts Promotion Awards (Japan)
Result: 受賞
Kanze Hisao Memorial Hosei University Noh Award
1994
Organization: Hosei University
Result: 受賞
Purple Ribbon Medal
1998
Organization: Government of Japan
Result: 受章
Living National Treasure (Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property)
2012
Organization: Agency for Cultural Affairs (Japan)
Result: 認定
Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon
2022
Organization: Government of Japan
Result: 受章
Person of Cultural Merit
2022
Organization: Cabinet Office (cultural honors)
Result: 選出

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Recommendations on Kyogen

1993 Kyogen study / Non-fiction

An introductory book explaining the history, techniques, and appreciation of kyogen.

Kyogen educationPromotion of traditional performing arts

The Kotodama of Kyogen

2002 Kyogen study / Essays

A work collecting reflections on language and verbal expression in kyogen.

Linguistic expressionPerformance theory

Masks of the Yamamoto Tojiro Kyogen Family

2003 Reference / Ethnography

A book introducing the family's kyogen masks, their origins and uses with photos and commentary.

Preservation of traditionProps and adornment

Bibliography

  • Recommendations on Kyogen (Tamagawa University Press, 1993)
  • Kyogen: Tojiro Yamamoto (photo book, 1993)
  • The Kotodama of Kyogen (Tamagawa University Press, 2002)
  • Masks of the Yamamoto Tojiro Kyogen Family (Tamagawa University Press, 2003)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
A didactic tone that respects tradition while explaining clearlyPractical writing linking performance practice and theory
Recurring Motifs
Recreation of classical kyogenEducation and popularization of kyogen

Legacy

The 4th Tojiro Yamamoto, as a hereditary head of the Ogura-style kyogen Yamamoto family, has devoted himself to education and dissemination of kyogen. He was designated a Living National Treasure and received many honors and medals, and is regarded as a leading figure in transmitting kyogen tradition domestically and internationally.

Trivia

  • Made his first stage appearance in 1942 (Yamamoto-kai performance of 'Ibihi').
  • Designated a Living National Treasure in 2012.
  • Awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon and selected as a Person of Cultural Merit in 2022.