The comedic stage art of kyogen emerged about 600 years ago. One of its most popular pieces is introduced, demonstrating the gestures, vocal techniques and onomatopoeia that make it so delightful.

Donald Keene is seen performing a "Taro Kaja" role in the "kyogen" comedic play "Chidori" at the Kita Nogakudo theater in Tokyo on Sept. 13, 1956. (Provided by the Donald Keene Memorial Foundation ...

For hundreds of years, the Japanese theater form of Kyogen solely existed as comic relief entertainment during the intermissions of dramatic Noh performances. However, the 600 year-old Kyogen practice ...