"Platinum Family" (TV Asahi, Tuesdays at 7 PM, excluding some areas) is a program showcasing the lifestyle of a "luxurious family." On August 5th, the show will focus on Kanze Kiyokazu, the 26th head of the Kanze family, who have inherited the traditional Japanese performing art of Noh from the time of Kan'ami and Zeami, and his eldest son, Saburota. This is the first time a variety show has featured such an in-depth look at the Kanze family.
The head of the Kanze school of Noh, the largest school in the world of Noh, has over 900 disciples nationwide. The recipients of the "Person of Cultural Merit Award" and the "Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters of France," displayed in the reception room, are based on the words of Zeami, a secret book left behind by him, "Fushi Kaden." Kiyokazu was a classmate of the current Emperor in elementary school, and said, "I'm honored to say, but we were 'friends since childhood,'" and shared some valuable anecdotes from that time.
The program will feature cameras entering the practice room in the basement of his home, which is off-limits to anyone other than Noh actors. Next to the practice room is a storage space for tools, containing approximately 300 to 400 fans, essential to Noh. Among them are some extremely rare fans that would be difficult to reproduce with modern technology.
This time, cameras were also taken into the storehouse, which houses many treasures such as costumes and Noh masks that have been carefully handed down. Equipped with state-of-the-art air conditioning and strict security, the storehouse houses valuable items that are not to be shown to the public, such as Noh masks said to have been used by Kan'ami and Zeami, and costumes made from cloth bestowed upon an ancestor by Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Regarding the costume worn by the head of the Kanze school at the most crucial moments, Saburota says, "When you see it on stage, it has an incredible amount of power, and the fact that only the head of the school wears it means that the only person who currently has the skills to rival this costume is the head of the school."
A special preview of practice sessions will also be available. Kiyokazu reveals that Zeami also had certain thoughts about his successor. Saburota, who has been on the path of performing arts for over 20 years, is expected to be the successor to the head of the family, but he reveals his resolve, saying, "It's not something that can be taken over easily."
Kiyokazu suddenly said to Saburota, "I have something I want to show you," and showed him the "treasure." Kiyokazu inherited it from his father, the 25th head of the Kanze school, Sakon Motomasa, who told him, "Whenever there is a fire or disaster, take this furoshiki wrapping and evacuate as fast as you can."
This was the first time Saburota had seen this, and he expressed his determination, saying, "For generations, our ancestors have valued it more than their own lives. I must fully accept its weight and protect it so that it can be passed down not only to me, but to the next generation and the generation after that."
The program will also broadcast a special performance hosted by the head of the family, which takes place only once a year.
