Traditional Japanese Theater

by Brazell, Karen

• ISBN13: 9780231108737
• ISBN10: 0231108737
• Edition: Revised
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-05-01
• Publisher: Ingram Pub Services

Summary

This is a collection of the most important genres of Japanese performance -- noh, kyogen, kabuki, and bamrili puppet theater -- in one comprehensive, authoritative volume. Organized by genre, each section features a rich selection of representative plays and explorations into each theatrical style and is prefaced by an illustrative essay covering a wide range of subjects, from stage direction to musical accompaniment. With classic and new translations of more than thirty plays and scenes -- along with Brazell's detailed, historically rich supplementary material and copious illustrations -- no better anthology exists for students of this most fascinating and diverse dramatic tradition.

Table of Contents

An Introduction to Traditional Japanese Theater Japanese Theater

A Living Tradition Historical Perspectives General Characteristics

The Stages Four Figures of the Thunder God

The Major Genres Noh

Thunderbolt Kabuki: "Saint Narukami Scene"

"Mount Tenpai" and "Tumult in the Palace"

The Noh and Kyogen Theaters Elements of Performance Noh Plays Atsumori

Plays Two Daimyo Delicious Poison Mushrooms

The Snail Sickly Stomach Kanoaka Cicada Other Traditions

Kowaka verison of Atsumori

The Puppet and Kabuki Theaters Elements of Performance Plays from the Bunraku Puppet Theater

"The Beach at Hirado" and "The Bamboo Forest of a Thousand Languages"

"Travel Scene"

"Farmhouse Scene" from Chushingura

The Awaji Puppet Tradition Sambaso

The Miracle of the Tsubosaka Kannon Plays from the Kabuki Theater

"Shunkan: The Devil Island Scene" Chikamatsu "Suma Bay"

Ghost Stories, Act Three "The Hamamatsuya Scene"

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