Download Japanese Tanka Poetry

Japanese Nogaku (noh) Theatre
no
Origins
Theoreticals
• Several theories explain the
origin of noh
• The most plausible
suggests that it was an
attempt to for lower class
artists to curry favor with
the newly established
Samurai ruling class
Founders
• It is undisputed that a
father son team originated
the form
– Zeami
– Motomasa (son)
• Zeami’s father was himself
a revolutionary figure who
paved the way for Zeami’s
invention of noh theatre
Transmission
• A mostly genealogical
tradition
– Father trains son
• No discrete techniques
are practiced
– No scales, elocution, or
physical arts
– A process of imitation
and memorization
• Training begins in
childhood
• Emphasis on discipline
and control
• Artform is learned
through practice of
small sections of
performance pieces
Typical Cast
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Waki (supporting actor)
Shite (main actor)
Kyogen (comedic actor)
Flutists
Shoulder drummers
Hip drummers
Stick drummers
Chorus
• Casts are trained in
schools specific to
discipline
• 1500 active cast
members
• 500 active performers
Unique Elements
• Noh plays have no
director
– Actors have a deep
understanding of each
play and their part
• There are no rehearsals
– The element of chance
is essential
– Chance creates tension
– Each performance is
meant to be ephemeral
• Single characters
dominate, but are often
not characters so much
as emotions in human
form
• Language is often not
grammatically correct
– Streams of imagery and
allusions are used
Typical Program
• Okina (ceremonial opening)
• 5 noh plays
• 4 kyogen comedies
Duration: 10 hours
Chorus
• Made up of 8 to 10
shite actors
– Do not represent
characters
– Shift from 3rd person
narration to the voice of
the protagonist
– Do not wear masks
Musicians
• Enter first, leave last
• Are a critical part of
the performance
• Posture and
garments are heavily
regulated by
convention
• Musical
accompaniment is
very precise
Masks
• Used to convey a
character’s
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Age
Gender
Social status
Nature/demeanor
• Static and typical, but
imbued with emotion
by the actions of the
actors
• Shite characters are
masked unless they
represent a normal,
human individual
• Wakis never wear
masks, but they keep
their facial features
static and emotionless
Mask Types
ko-omote
– For young female
characters
– Takes on a cheerful or
sad expression as it is
carefully raised or
lowered
Mask Types
Otobide
– Fierce deity mask
– Exaggerated expression
comes to life most
vividly when the head is
moved quickly from left
to right
Mask Types
kishin
– Demon mask
Fans
• Fans are ubiquitous and
are used to indicate the
nature of a character
Props
• Stage props are simple
frameworks that
suggest the object
Costumes
• Costumes contain many
symbolic elements
provide the audience
with clues and discrete
information
Costume Detail