Photo Journal: Setting an international stage

Japanese and Chinese actors of traditional plays are seen on stage after a performance themed on Yang Guifei (719-756), spouse of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang dynasty in China, at the National Noh Theatre in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward on Dec. 19, 2017. The show commemorated the 45th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and China. It is a rare spectacle for the leading actors of Japanese Noh and Kyogen and Chinese classical opera to perform together on stage. Nomura Mansai, one of the most popular Kyogen actors, and Sakai Otoshige, a Noh actor recognized as an important intangible cultural asset, took part in the show. Performances are scheduled to run until Dec. 20. (Mainichi)