Akira Matsui

Akira Matsui is a master actor-teacher of the Kita School of classical noh. Born in 1946 in Wakayama, at the age of 7 he began studying noh and took on numerous child roles. At age 12, he went to Tokyo to become a “live-in apprentice” to Kita Minoru, the 15th generation head of the Kita School and returned to his hometown at age 21 where he is now based. He has been active for 45 years teaching and performing in over 25 countries. In 1998, he was designated an Important Intangible Cultural Asset by the Japanese government. In July 2016, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Royal Holloway, University of London.