In 13th century, Japan
Misery and suffering have consumed the land, which is gripped in a famine of historical proportions. A lonesome monk, diligently serving prayers to the dead as they float away down the river, is soon to discover the mysterious forces that hold the fate of humankind in balance.
‘NAE’ (which translates to The Rice Seedling) is a new, groundbreaking musical and theatrical work by Toronto-based composer Kokichi Kusano, featuring traditions of Japanese music and theatre for the modern stage. Premiered in May 2023 at the Harbourfront Centre Theatre in Toronto, Canada; Nae features an exciting international cast from Japan and from across Canada – from British Columbia to Quebec. The Japanese-English script is fully captioned, making this unique production accessible to the hearing impaired. Written and performed in Canada by Japanese Canadian composer Kokichi Kusano, Nae combines traditions of Japanese theatre, music and festival arts to explore a tale of great human suffering, compassion and perseverance.
Cast and Characters
Under the visionary direction of Kokichi Kusano, a diverse ensemble of artists and musicians from Canada and Japan has come together to create this groundbreaking theatrical experience.
Jito
The Minister
A nobleman recently appointed to be responsible for a fiefdom, struggles to overcome a great famine caused by calamitous weather and cold seasons. Humiliated, he meets a farmer who gives him an unexpected gift.
Soryo
The Abbott
Residing in the temple of these lands for many years, they witness the comings and goings of its residents. One fateful night, they observe a curious interaction between the minister and a mysterious farmer, and determine that things are not as they seem.
Hyakusho
The Farmer
A mysterious and carefree man, he dances through the barren fields at night. He comes across the troubled minister and attempts to dissuade him from an ill-fated choice by offering him a peculiar gift.
Yurei
The Ghost
The spirit of a peasant haunts the barren fields at night. It is said that without any crops, their songs can be heard from even further away.
Oni
The Demon
A malevolent and devious spirit rumoured to be a nine-tailed fox. It is said to be the bringer of human suffering and misfortune.
Shugoshin
The Guardian
A spirit of an ancient King whose duty is to watch over the well-being of the people and the land. He bears a legendary spear that is used to ward off evil spirits.
A word from the Director
Nae was written as a testimony to the very personal and internal struggle of watching my father fight cancer for 13 years. When it was completed in 2019, I shared this work with my father only once. It was, then, an immensely personal work and seemed to me almost too private to share. Then, shortly after it was completed and my father ultimately succumbed to his struggle – the pandemic overtook our world and suddenly Nae seemed to speak to us all.
Nae is the tale of our greatest desperation, our greatest joy and the cyclical impermanence of these parts of human life that seen from far enough away, seem to fade into the waves. It was, at the time it was written, and remains, ultimately a prayer for vindication over a relentless evil, and an end to suffering.
It was a journey for me to share Nae even with the cast, but since doing so, and in the capable hands of these wonderful talented people, Nae has taken on to become so much more than it was. I am excited, proud and immensely humbled to soon share Nae with you!
Kokichi Kusano
Composer and Artistic Director
The Nae Project 