"Determination"

"Strength"

"Identity"

“Determination” is a collection that introduces young masters and their arts, diving into the fundamental components of Japanese traditional Arts. It’s a collection that’s determined to survive for generations.

Despite modernization, the resilience of tradition is a breathtaking feat in itself. As society evolves, the determination to honor the rules, codes, and knowledge of Noh is admirable. The tradition is passed down to future generations with a meticulous purpose that’s shown in a single performance.

Noh is an artform that’s dominated by men. Since the origin of the performance, the headmasters assumes the responsibility of passing the tradition down from father to son. However, despite the preserved tradition of Noh, the influence of modernization has given new life to the artform. Determined women have broken through the age-old tradition in order to embody the art, learn it to perfection, and flawlessly communicate Noh to their audience.

“Determination” discovers the universal effort to strive toward passion, art, and mastery. Masters from all walks of life honor the art of Noh, making sacrifices to keep true to the performance. Young or old, men or women participate in a marathon of longevity; honing their skills and perfecting their love of the art through a lifelong journey of learning. Determination isn’t about sprinting to the finish line, but creating a conversation about art, tradition, and possibilities.

The first series introduces Noh theater.

With a 650-year history, Noh, one of the oldest surviving forms of theater designated by Unesco as Intangible Cultural Heritage, is a symbolic form of theater adapted from Japanese traditional literature. Originally performed for the shogun and nobility, it has over the centuries become a more popularized form of entertainment, by also absorbing elements from other cultures.

Noh is a striking blend of traditional carved masks, elaborate brocade costumes, and instruments, with the main actor, wearing an iconic mask representing his character, and who through symbolic and highly stylized movements expresses an elegant beauty and a deep feeling of humanity.