Noh Drama

Zeami Motokiyo (1364-1443)

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• Varieties of Japanese theatre:
  • Noh
  • Kabuki (popular drama)
  • Joruri (puppet theatre)
• Noh: "talent," "skill"; highly ritualized, austere poetic drama involving music, song, dance, wooden masks; relations to Zen Buddhism and Shinto ritual; grave, tragic character of represented situations
• Concept of Yügen: "mystery," "depth," "darkness," "beauty," "elegance"
• Attempt to reach into truth beneath the surface of reality
• Actors: Shite (main figure, hero, the "doer"), Waki (the "assistant"), Tsure (companions of the hero)

Atsumori

It is recommended to read into the context of the war between the Heike (Taira) and Genji (Minamoto) clans (1180-1185)

Study Questions

What is the significance of the new identity of the warrior Kumagai as the priest Rensei? Why the change? What does this suggest concerning the meaning of the play? What philosophical or religious values are expressed or promoted in the text?

Why is Atsumori initially represented by the figure of a young reaper? Why does the ghost of Atsumori haunt Rensei? What does the ghost represent? What does it want?

What is the attitude of the text toward the Genji vs. Heike conflict? What about human pride and ambition?

What is the significance of images of nature and agriculture in the play? How do those images relate to the issues of war and the lives of powerful people (warriors, rulers, etc)?

What is the significance or role of the arts (song, dance, music, poetry, etc) in the play? What about the flute and flute music? How do such images relate to the problem of war and conflict? Why are Atsumori and his men said to have spent their last night singing and dancing? What is the meaning of such images and situations?

What is the significance of the ending of the play? Why does Atsumori refrain from killing Rensei?

Other Resources

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