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We went to see Mansaku-no-Kai Kyogen Company perform in NY today. This group has been especially popular because of a recent TV special in Japan featuring the training of the third generation actor of the Nomura family, who appears to be about 5 years old, and Mansaku Nomura seems to have demi-god status, and has been officially recognized as an Intangible Cultural Asset by the Japanese government. Although the performance was sold out, we had tickets about 10 feet from the stage, which is a good place to sit because you can see the spit shooting out of the mouths of the actors. I enjoyed the performance far more than I expected, mainly because Mansaku Nomura is an incredible performer, and I was close enough to see all the subtlety of expression.

Later on, we were eating at a place not far from the venue when in walked Mansaku and Mansai, followed by the entire troupe. They sat down a couple of tables away and I had a clear line of view, so I had the pleasure of watching an official Japanese Intangible Cultural Asset relaxing with a beer.