Heisei Era (1989-2019)

A second “kyōgen boom” in the 1990s was largely inspired by the children of the first boom generation actors, who became household names via movie and television appearances, which in turn brought audiences to see them on their “home stage” of kyōgen. Kyōgen actors continue to transmit the classical traditions while simultaneously getting more involved in new media such as TV, movies, and contemporary stage performances. Cross-cultural, new work, and bilingual productions widen the boundaries of the kyōgen genre.