1. Unit 3 Japanese Performing Arts

2. Influences of Culture
Shinto – a religion meaning “Way of the Gods” that is closely aligned with nature and spirit worship.
Buddhism – a religion that teaches suffering is inherent to life, but humans can still be liberated from suffering by mental and moral self- purification.
Japan has codes of behavior regarding sacrifice, loyalty, and revenge and a samurai code of the warrior.
QUESTION: How could these practices influence performing art?

3. Early Japanese Theatre
Shinto & Buddhist rituals
Court Entertainments CE

4. Nō (Noh)Theatre
Noh Theatre – a complex form of classical drama favored by the noble people of Japan.
Zeami Motokiyo – established the noh theatre structure. The most influential and important figure of noh theatre.
Stories came from literary or historical figures that were familiar to audiences.
Actors trained from childhood (singing, dancing, acting, and mime)
The passion of the character sometimes appears as a spirit.
QUESTION: How do we include these types of stories in our performing arts?

5. Noh Theatre Characters
Shite – Main character, masked
Waki – supporting character (warrior, Shinto priest, monk). No mask.
Tsure – accompanying role
Kyōgen – comedy play that developed next to Noh. (comedy interludes.)
Chorus of ten men

6. Bunraku
Bunraku – puppet theatre where the texts are chanted and music plays in the background
Joruri – the chanted texts
Chanters – people who perform the voices and narrate the story
Samisen – a three-stringed instrument like a banjo that plays during bunraku.

7. Characteristics of Bunraku
Puppets are handled by 3 people
- one for the legs
- one for the left arm
- Chief Handler – handles the head and right arm and is dressed
in an elaborate costume, unlike the others.
Puppets are 2/3 life size.

8. Kabuki
Kabuki – a popular type of theatre where stories range from fantasy to reality and have a basis in dance.
In Kabuki, actors imitate puppet type movements.

9. Characteristics of Kabuki
Actors are trained from childhood in vocal technique, dancing, and acting.
Onnagata – male actors who play women’s roles by imitating the essence of a feminine personality through stylized gestures.
Costumes/makeup are elegant and gorgeous.
QUESTION: Form a supported opinion of Japanese performing art. Would this be something you would like to experience in real life?