The new production “Song of Rona Island ” ( A work in progress performance) , which is in spired by the Scottish poet and writer Kathleen Jamie’s essay was showcased in Tokyo. From the far edges of Japan and Scotland, it delivers a powerful message about the deep connections between nature and humanity that resonate with today’s world.
Date: Wednesday, January 17, 2024, 7:00 PM
Venue: Tessenkai Noh Theater
A historical collaboration was witnessed by the audiences at the Noh theatre in Aoyama, Tokyo. Kanji Shimizu (Kanze School shite actor) and four finest Noh perforemrs, along with Aidan O’Rourke (fiddle) and Brìghde Chaimbeul (Scottish smallpipes), came together to create a unique drama where Noh and Scottish nature intersect.
The new production is based on the captivating essay “On Rona” by Scottish poet Kathleen Jamie, which depicts her impactful experiences on the remote island of Rona in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland,
The Outer Hebrides, comprising over 180 islands off the west coast of Scotland, are known for their majestic natural beauty and mystique. Among these islands, Rona (North Rona) lies 71 kilometers north-northeast of Lewis Island, making it the most remotely situated island in the British Isles.
Kathleen Jamie, a prominent Scottish poet and novelist, chronicled her three-week stay on Rona Island, accompanying ecological surveys, in her essay “On Rona,” which is part of her collection “Sightlines” (published on September 10, 2013). Jamie’s sensitive and poetic prose captures her gentle gaze towards the island’s nature and its inhabitants, her astute observations on lost history and human presence, and her reflections on the fragility of ecosystems, humanity, and the warnings against environmental destruction.
Kanji Shimizu: shite ( Saint Rona )
Takao Nishimura: chant (Rona island)
Aidan O’Rourke: Fiddle, Composition
Brìghde Chaimbeul: Scottish Smallpipes
Hiroyuki Matsuda: Nohkan flute
Kyosuke Tanabe: shoulder drum
Mitsuhiro Kakihara: Hip drum
Planning & Production: Akiko Yanagisawa (Mu Arts Japan)
Supported by: The Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation, Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation
