Flowing Between the Bogwood Boulders

Traynor examines the ai-kyōgen of FAUST: A confession, a shinsaku nō premiered by Yamamoto Akihiro at the 2023 Sibiu International Theatre Festival. Written by Shigeyama Sennojō III, the interlude illustrates how kyōgen performers negotiate both practical needs—such as costume changes—and dramaturgical coherence in new nō works. Drawing on interviews and performance analysis, the chapter situates ai-kyōgen as a living form that adapts to international collaborations while retaining its traditional functions. By engaging Goethe&s;s Faust within the nōgaku structure, the case highlights how nō continues to expand across global theatre networks while preserving its internal balance.