Module 5: Traditional Japanese Theatre Flashcards
What are Noh plays?
Japanese plays that reflected Shintoism and Buddhism; language was a mix of verse and pose, most of it sung or chanted
How did Noh plays reflect Shinto and Buddhist beliefs?
They had heavy influence from Shinto ideas about nature and Buddhist ideas concerning the transitory nature of life and the destructiveness of desire.
What is the kyogen?
The funny/comedy scenes in Noh; parodies of Noh (like Satyr plays), OR scenes of everyday life based around stock characters (like Roman comedies)
Hashigakari
Bridge stage-right dotted with three pines representing heaven, earth, and man
Hayashi
Three to four person orchestra at the back of the stage dressed as samurai (a flute and two or three drums).
Hana/Flower
Endowing the performance with spontaneity
Noh actors
Trained from the age of seven; rigorous training (actor’s performance must be perfect every time). No directors/rehearsals.
Who was Zeami?
Japanese playwright and theorist who wrote “On the Art of Noh Drama” (a treatise on Japanese performance practice) (like Aristotle of Bharata)
Who developed the hana/flower idea to convey good acting technique?
Zeami
What type of play is “Mushrooms?”
A kyogen play
What type of play is “The Diver?”
Noh
How did Noh plays and Kyogen plays differ?
Noh plays were serious; Kyogen plays were more playful or satirical.
