A "Kanjin-noh" (fundraising Noh performance) will be held on September 21 and 22, 2026, at the Reizei Family Residence in Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto—the only surviving residence of a court noble family and a designated Important Cultural Property. Befitting the Reizei family—a lineage renowned for 800 years as a "House of Waka Poetry"—the program will feature the plays *Teika* and *Tadanori*, both associated with the family's distant ancestors, Fujiwara no Teika and Fujiwara no Shunzei. Organizers state, "We wish to perform in a way that honors the prestigious atmosphere that has been carefully preserved here."
The event is organized by an executive committee led by Kanze-school Noh performer Shizuka Mikata. For the performance, the *fusuma* (sliding doors) and *tatami* mats in the residence's "Upper Room" (*Kami-no-ma*) and "Middle Room" (*Naka-no-ma*)—spaces where annual traditions like the New Year's poetry gathering and the Tanabata *Kikkōten* ritual take place—will be removed to create a wooden-floored stage. This marks the first time a Noh performance has been held at the Reizei Family Residence, at least since the Meiji era.
The play *Teika* is based on legends surrounding Fujiwara no Teika and depicts his obsessive attachment to a past romance with Imperial Princess Shikishi. Kimiko Reizei, Executive Director of the Reizei Family Shigure-tei Bunko Foundation, remarks, "This is the work that powerfully introduced Lord Teika to the world, featuring the first mention of his mountain villa, 'Shigure-no-chin.' It feels surreal to have it performed here [at the residence]."
The second play, *Tadanori*, tells the story of Taira no Tadanori, a warrior who was also a poet. It portrays his lingering obsession with his creative work—specifically, his regret, even after death, that a poem he entrusted to Teika's father, Shunzei, was ultimately attributed to an "anonymous author" in the *Senzai Wakashū* (Collection of a Thousand Years) anthology. Shizuka Mikata, who performs the *shite* (lead role) in both plays, expresses his anticipation: "Performing in a historic space with deep ties to the works might allow something beyond mere acting to possess the performance. I hope the audience will sense a rich, profound world that transcends the boundaries of the plays themselves."
There will be three performances in total: *Tadanori* at 1:00 p.m. and *Teika* at 5:00 p.m. on September 21, followed by *Teika* again at 4:00 p.m. on September 22. Each session will include a talk by the head of the family, Tamehito Reizei. Capacity is limited to 70 people per performance. The admission fee is 30,000 yen, with proceeds going toward facility upgrades, such as the air-conditioning system, at the residence. Tickets go on sale July 22 and can be purchased via the Théâtre Noh office (075-213-1774) or the official website.
