In 1918 a group of noh musicians based in Kyoto formed the first Doumeikai（同盟会). After an interruption due to the outbreak of Second World War, in 1955 they resumed their activities under the name Douwakai（同和会).
Since then the group has produced performances events once a year. In 1986 the groups has changed back to Doumeikai（同明会). From 2003 to 2011, the Hayashido performance event, focusing on the musicality of nō music, has been performed together with Doumeikai noh, taking place every year in February. In October 2011 the Doumeikai has been legally established as a general incorporated association. From 2012 the group has started the noh music children workshop Kodomo nohgaku hayashi kyoshitsu, aiming at transmitting the beauty of noh theatre to the next generations.
Directors and members
Chief director
Sugi Ichikazu
Morita school flute player
Studied with Sugi Ichitaro and Morita Mitsuharu
Born in 1952
Designated as Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Heritage
1990 Kyoto City New Artist Award
2013 Kyoto Prefecture Cultural Lifetime Achievement Award
2017 Minister of Education Award for Fine Arts
2018 40th Hosei University Nohgaku Award
2019 Medal with Purple Ribbon Award
Director
Sako Yasuhiro
Morita school flute player
Studied with Sugi Ichikazu
Born in 1966
Designated as Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Heritage
Okura school shoulder drum player
Studied with Okura Genjiro and Kichisaka Shuichi
Born in 1965
Designated as Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Heritage
Director
Taniguchi Masatoshi
Ishii school hip drum player
Studied with Taniguchi Masayoshi
Born in 1968
Designated as Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Heritage
Ko school shoulder drum player
Studied with Ko Yoshimitsu, Takemura Ryunosuke, Takemura Keinosuke
Born in 1936
Designated as Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Heritage
Member
Hayashi Kichibe
Ko school shoulder drum player
Studied with Ko Masakage, Sowa Hiroshi, Hayashi Kichibe XII
Designated as Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Heritage
Ko school shoulder drum player
Studied with Ko Yoshimitsu, Takemura Ryunosuke, Takemura Keinosuke
Born in 1936
Designated as Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Heritage
Member
Sowa Kodo
Ko school shoulder drum player
Studied with Sowa Hiroshi, Sowa Masahiro
Born in 1973
Designated as Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Heritage
2009 Kyoto City New Artist Award
2012 Kyoto Prefecture Cultural Prize, Encouragement Award
Ko school shoulder drum player
Studied with Sowa Hiroshi and Hayashi Kichibei XIII
Born in 1984
Member
Ibayashi Seiichi
Ishii school hip drum player
Studied with Taniguchi Katsuzo
Born in 1937
Designated as Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Heritage
Member
Kawamura Masaru
Ishii school hip drum player
Studied with Taniguchi Masayoshi, Kawamura Soichiro
Born in 1060
Designated as Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Heritage
1996 Kyoto City New Artist Award
Ishii school hip drum player
13th Iemoto of the Ishii school
Studied with Taniguchi Masayoshi, Ishii Nihe
Born 1964
Designated as Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Heritage
Member
Ibayashi Hisato
Ishii school hip drum player
Studied with Taniguchi Masayoshi, Ibayashi Seiichi
Born in 1969
Designated as Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Heritage
Member
Watanabe Satoshi
Ishii school hip drum player
Studied with Taniguchi Masayoshi, Taniguchi Masatoshi
Born in 1979
Member
Kawamura Rintaro
Ishii school hip drum player
Studied with Kawamura Soichiro and Kawamura Masaru
Born in 1997
Member
Maekawa Susugu
Komparu school stick drum player
Studied with Maekawa Sokan
Born 1934
Designated as Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Heritage
Member
Maekawa Mitsunaga
Komparu school stick drum player
Studied with Komparu Soemon XXII, Maekawa Sokan, Maekawa Mitsutaka
Born 1952
Designated as Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Heritage
1989 Kyoto City New Artist Award
2016 Kyoto Prefecture Cultural Lifetime Achievement Award
2022 Kyoto City Cultural Lifetime Achievement Award
Member
Inoue Keisuke
Kanze school stick drum player
Studied with Kanze Motonobu, Kotera Shunzo
Born in 1955
Designated as Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Heritage
