Vilnius, Lithuania

Lietuvos nacionalinis dramos teatras Mažoji salė

  • Date: 16th February, 2018
  • Location: Vilnius, Lithuania
  • Venue: Lithuania National Drama Theatre Small Hall
  • Seating: 180 Audience: over 180

nana’s Descent to the Nether World is a project that started three years ago. These very first European performances were a new version different from any version shown in Japan. Noh Artist, Noboru Yasuda played Inana, through voice and puppet created by artist and sculptor, Shouhei Yamashita. Ereshkigal, Goddess of the Nether World was played by Shite, Noh Artist of Kanze School, Haruko Sugisawa. The modern day Lithuanian language is strongly connected to ancient script, with similarities to the ancient Indo-European language. This makes Lithuania a purposeful location to bring a performance of a myth that was written in ancient Sumerian script.

Cast and Staff

  • Inana, Goddess of the heavens and earth: Noboru Yasuda (Waki, Noh Artist)
  • Ereshkigal, Goddess of the Nether World: Haruko Sugisawa (Shite, Noh Artist)
  • Voice of Ereshkigal, narration: Kosuke Tsuji (Singer of Early Italian Music)
  • Neti, Gate Keeper of the Netherworld, narration: Kentaro Okutsu (Kyogen, Noh Artist)
  • Ninshubur, Inana’s minister: Nadiah Sorait (Dancer, Performing Artist)
  • Voice of Ninshubur, narration and Shamisen: Nanafuku Tamagawa (Ryoukyoku Artist)
  • Kur-gara: Kenichiro Okutsu
  • Gala-tura: Haruki Sasame 
  • Chorus and percussion: Yoshio Oshima, Kaoru Izumi

  • Inana doll creation: Shouhei Yamashita (Sculpter and Artist)

  • Nohkan (Japanese flute): Satoshi Tsukitaku (Flute, Noh Artist)
  • Keyboard, computer: Satoru Wono (Musician)
  • Percussion: Mariko Kitagawa

  • Subtitle operation: Arika Sasame

  • Advise and translation into Japanese: Keisuke Takai (University Academic)

  • Coordinators on Lithuanian side: Greta Vaitkute, Shinichi Tsukada