Yamamoto Noh Theater Recognized for Global Promotion of Noh's Appeal, Receives "Walk of Fame" Award for International Contributions to Theater

Selected at the Sibiu International Theatre Festival, one of Europe's three major international theater festivals held annually in Romania. In 2026, 8 groups from around the world were selected, with Yamamoto Noh Theater being the sole recipient from Japan.

Yamamoto Noh Theater is the first "theater" to receive this award since its establishment.

The award ceremony was held in Sibiu on June 27, where commemorative plates bearing the names of the recipients were installed on a promenade.

From right: Yamamoto Akihiro, Representative Director of Yamamoto Noh Theater, giving a speech at the award ceremony; Japanese Ambassador to Romania Manami Katae (3rd from right). Performance of the Noh play "Okina" (St. John the Evangelist Church, June 19).

Yamamoto Noh Theater (Chuo-ku, Osaka; Representative Director: Akihiro Yamamoto) has been honored with the "Walk of Fame" award in recognition of its long-standing activities promoting the appeal of Noh theater to the world, at the Sibiu International Theatre Festival, one of Europe's three major theater festivals held annually in the ancient Romanian city of Sibiu. This year's recipients include 7 individuals active worldwide, such as Nobel Prize-winning novelist and playwright Elfriede Jelinek, along with Yamamoto Noh Theater, making a total of 8 recipients. Notably, Yamamoto Noh Theater is the first "theater" to receive this award since the prize's inception.

The "Walk of Fame" is a symbolic award of the Sibiu International Theatre Festival, established in 2013 to honor the excellence and significant contributions of artists who have profoundly influenced theater, literature, and broader cultural imagination. Over the past 13 years, 77 renowned figures in the performing arts and actors from around the world, including Peter Brook and Ariane Mnouchkine, have received this award. From Japan, recipients have included the 18th Kanzaburo Nakamura, Kazumi Kushida, Hideki Noda, Yoshi Oida, and Kuranosuke Sasaki.

(*List of past recipients: https://www.sibfest.ro/en/aleea-celebritatilor *English site)

On June 27, a ceremony was held to unveil commemorative plates engraved with the names of the recipients on a promenade in Citadel Park, Sibiu. Subsequently, the award ceremony (FITS2026 Gala) and a reception were held in the adjacent Thalia Hall.

A commemorative photo in front of the commemorative plates embedded in the promenade (from right: Mr. Chiuriac, Ambassador Katae, Akihiro Yamamoto, Astrid Fodor Mayor of Sibiu, Yamamoto Noh Theater Secretary General Kashie Yamamoto, NEPI Marketing Director Roxana Baias). Commemorative plate engraved with the name Yamamoto Noh Theater (YAMAMOTO NOH THEATER) (from left: Sibiu International Theatre Festival General Director Constantin Chiriac, Akihiro Yamamoto).

The "Sibiu International Theatre Festival," a Global Theater Celebration

The Sibiu International Theatre Festival is a prestigious annual theater festival held in the cultural city of Sibiu, Romania, since 1993, and is considered one of the three major European theater festivals alongside the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in the UK and the Festival d'Avignon in France. It selects and presents outstanding performing arts from various genres with a global perspective. This year, the 33rd edition, was held for 10 days from June 19 to June 28. Over 5,000 artists from 83 countries were invited, and 849 performances and events unfolded throughout the city of Sibiu. During this period, over 1 million spectators visited from around the world, and the event garnered over 5 million views online from more than 100 countries, making it a grand international event. The theme for this year's festival was "SOUL," emphasizing the importance of "SOUL" over technology for both artists and audiences. (Sibiu International Theatre Festival Official Website: https://www.sibfest.ro/?locale=en)

Yamamoto Noh Theater was first invited to the festival in 2016 to perform the Noh play "Adachigahara," marking the first time Noh was presented at the festival. Since then, it has been invited annually, presenting 23 Noh performances and 2 workshops by 2025. Its activities have been diverse, including performances in churches, street live Noh performances, and Noh mask exhibitions at city hall. In 2023, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Sibiu International Theatre Festival, Yamamoto Noh Theater staged a new Noh play "Faust" as a counterpoint to the internationally renowned play "Faust" (directed by Silviu Purcarete), thus conveying the appeal of Noh to the global audience gathered in Sibiu through both tradition and innovation.

This year, Noh performances were held on June 19 at the St. John the Evangelist Church in Sibiu and on June 20 at the Gong Theater. The program included the representative Noh piece "Okina" and "Tomo-e." For "Tomo-e," a collaboration was performed with KURAGE Band, led by Sachiko Nakajima, who produced the signature pavilion "The Playground of Life: Jellyfish Pavilion" for Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, and was appointed PR Ambassador for the Japan Pavilion at Expo Belgrade 2027.

Furthermore, on June 28, as a special closing event, a talk session was held between the internationally acclaimed theater critic Octavian Saiu and Akihiro Yamamoto, Representative Director and Noh actor of Yamamoto Noh Theater, who has led the performances in Sibiu. They discussed the appeal of Noh as a globally relevant performing art and the trajectory of their activities in Sibiu.

Audience members gathered at the church (St. John the Evangelist Church, June 19). Noh play "Tomo-e" (St. John the Evangelist Church, June 19). Subtitles for the chants in English and Romanian (St. John the Evangelist Church, June 19).

Noh play "Tomo-e" (Gong Theater, June 20). Collaboration with KURAGE Band (Gong Theater, June 20). Talk session between international theater critic Saiu and Akihiro Yamamoto held as a special closing event (June 28).

About Yamamoto Noh Theater

Founded in 1927 by Hiroyuki Yamamoto, a Kanze school Noh actor. It is the oldest Noh theater in Osaka with approximately 100 years of history. The current facility, a three-story wooden building rebuilt in 1950, is a traditional Noh stage located in the city center and was registered as a "National Registered Tangible Cultural Property" in 2006.

The theater is also dedicated to passing down Noh, recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, as a "vibrant contemporary art form" to future generations. It produces original works incorporating modern perspectives and holds numerous Noh experience events, backstage tours, and overseas performances that are accessible to everyone. These activities have earned it numerous awards, including the Osaka Cultural Prize, the Foreign Minister's Commendation, the Japan Foundation Prize for Global Citizenship, the Kansai Genki Culture Award, the Tiffany Foundation Japanese Culture Award, and the Good Design Award. For details on the numerous performances and events currently being planned and held by Yamamoto Noh Theater, please visit the official website. https://noh-theater.com/schedule.php

<Akihiro Yamamoto Profile>

Shite-kata (main actor) of the Kanze school of Noh. Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property (General Certification).

Born in Osaka as the eldest son of Masayoshi Yamamoto, a Shite-kata Kanze school Noh actor. First stage appearance at the age of 3.

Studied under the late Sakon Kanze, the 25th Grand Master, Kiyokazu Kanze, the 26th Grand Master, and his father.

Director of the Nohgaku Association.

Serves as Representative Director of the Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Yamamoto Noh Theater, actively engaged in promoting Noh to beginners, children, and foreigners. Has participated in numerous overseas performances.

Leads the Akihiro Yamamoto Kancho Kai.

********* Contact Information for Inquiries *********

Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Yamamoto Noh Theater Secretariat Yamamoto, Yamanaka

TEL: 06-6943-9454 / Mail: [email protected]

Official Website: https://noh-theater.com

Reference Information

Sibiu International Theatre Festival Official Website (*English site)

https://www.sibfest.ro/?locale=en

Scenes from Noh performances at the Sibiu International Theatre Festival

Performance of "Adachigahara" which received acclaim upon its first invitation. Performance of a new Noh play based on the internationally renowned play "Faust." Performance as a street live event.

Scenes from the 2026 Sibiu International Theatre Festival

Sibiu city bustling with festival events throughout the day. Various performances along the streets (Live session by KURAGE Band led by Sachiko Nakajima). 849 events held during the festival.

Walk of Fame (WOF) Award Ceremony Venue. 2026 WOF recipients and Sibiu International Theatre Festival General Director Chiriac, Mayor Fodor (Photo: Sebastian Marcovici). Promenade with commemorative plates of past recipients since 2013.