Amitani Masami (網谷正美)
Masami AMITANI (March 15, 1947 - present) is a kyogen performer of the Okura school. He is a member of the Nohgaku Performers' Association, a member of the Association for Japanese Noh Plays, the general holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property, and a member of Kyoto Noh Association. He is a teacher of Japanese classics at Doshisha High School, Department of Japanese Linguistics.
In 1965, he studied under Masao KIMURA in Kyogen Study Group of Kyoto University while he was the student of Kyoto University, Faculty of Letters. He graduated from Kyoto University in 1971. He entered Nohgaku Yoseikai (Nohgaku Training Facility) and studied under Sengoro SHIGEYAMA, the Twelfth (present Sensaku SHIGEYAMA, the Fourth). At the same time, he became the teacher of Department of Japanese Linguistics at a high school and still teaches there.
In 1984, he established 'Kyogen Benkyokai' (Study Group of Kyogen) (present 'Kyogen Sanshokai') with his fellows, Kaoru MATSUMOTO and Yasushi MARUISHI, and he continues performing five times a year. His activities were recognized and received Kyoto prefecture Cultural Contribution Award in 2006.