Impact of Acoustic Properties and Visual Information on the Perceived Realism of Traditional Performing Arts in Public Cultural Halls

Public cultural halls serve as venues for diverse artistic performances, including traditional performing arts such as Iwami Kagura. However, these multipurpose spaces are not specifically designed for such performances, potentially leading to discrepancies in audience perception due to differences in acoustic and visual conditions compared to traditional venues like shrine worship halls or Kagura halls. This study investigates the effects of acoustic properties and visual information on the perceived realism of Iwami Kagura when performed in public cultural halls. Subjective evaluation experiments were conducted using VR goggles and headphones to recreate Kagura performances in different venues, allowing audiences to assess realism under varied presentation conditions. Additionally, reverberation time measurements and questionnaire surveys were used to analyze audience impressions of different venues. The results indicate that lighting, viewing distance, and reverberation time significantly influence the audience's sense of realism. Statistical analyses further clarify the relationship between psychological responses, visual information, and acoustic performance. These findings contribute to understanding how environmental factors affect the perception of traditional performing arts in non-traditional settings, providing insights for optimizing cultural hall designs to enhance audience experiences while preserving the authenticity of traditional performances.