Japan, Italy and elsewhere. Nō and shinsaku nō from cultural diplomacy to intercultural dialogue

The paper focuses on the role of Japanese traditional theatre in the establishment of solid diplomatic relations, particularly between Japan and Italy, starting from the 19th century. In order to understand the dynamic as well as profound connections between an institutional cultural identity and its various intercultural projections, the case of nō theatre and its innovative and experimental version, known as shinsaku nō, will be examined with a focus on the role of Umewaka Minoru (1828-1909). We argue, among others, on the opening of the Japanese Institute of Culture in Rome (the very first Japanese Institute of Culture abroad) and on the Cultural Agreement Between Japan and Italy signed in 1954, the same year of the first nō performance abroad held in Venice.