The Kongo School has its roots in the Sakato-za, a troupe of actors who started to serve Horyuji Temple in the Kamakura period (1185–1333) by performing sarugaku, the original form of Noh. In the early Muromachi period (1336–1573), Sakato-za became famous as one of the four prestigious troupes in Yamato Province (present-day Nara) that served Kasuga Taisha Shrine and Kofukuji Temple. Later, Sakato-za became known as the Kongo-za, the forerunner of the Kongo School.

Now based in Kyoto, the Kongo School is the only one of the five schools of Noh shite-kata (principal) actors whose head family lives in the Kansai region.

The Kongo School is well known for its dynamic but elegant and graceful dance style and an extensive collection of masterpiece Noh masks. Over the years, come to be known as Mai-Kongo (dance-Kongo) and Omote-Kongo (mask-Kongo).

The Kongo School presents an annual series of showcase performances that are the most representative of the school, called the “Kongo Subscription Noh Series,” just as individual Noh schools and families present their own. In this series of 10 performances, all the Noh actors of the Kongo School, including its head, work together to stage selected Noh plays, some seasonal, others rarely seen. Subscribers to the series are eligible for discounts and receive performance programs in the mail.

The Kongo Subscription Noh Series is quite accessible and recommended for those who have never seen Noh, as well as for Noh enthusiasts. Tickets can also be purchased for individually produced performances, and you can pick and choose from a wide variety of performances. Advance sales, same-day tickets, and student discounts are available.