Presentation on Noh and Kyogen Theatre :Presentation on Noh and Kyogen Theatre By Alena Kiranov July 2009


4 Major Types of Theatre :4 Major Types of Theatre There are four major forms of traditional Japanese theatre: Noh Kyogen Kabuki Bunraku This presentation will discuss the history, themes, and key characteristics of Noh Theatre in particular.


Noh History :Noh History Noh has a longer history than Kabuki. Origins in the sarugaku performances of the Heian period (794-1192). Perfected as an art form in the Muromacho period (1333-1568). Largely remained the same over time. Details in every Noh play were passed on through families.


Noh History :Noh History During civil war (1467~1568) the shogunate had little time for cultural distractions. The rest of the populace embraced Noh during this time. When peace returned, so did the patronage of the Shogun.


Noh History :Noh History At the end of the Edo Period (1600~1868), the military class began to lose power. Noh and Kabuki became increasingly popular among the people. Government subsidy stopped with the fall of the shogunate in 1867 and members of the nobility assumed the role of sponsor.


Noh Themes :Noh Themes The aesthetics in Noh are: Understatement Abstraction Refinement Suggestion


Noh Themes :Noh Themes Three major influences: The feudal code of ethics of the Samurai warriors The elegant manners of court nobles The asceticism of Zen Buddhism Many of the stories in Noh also restate the myths of the other popular religions at that time.


Characteristics of Noh :Characteristics of Noh Characteristics: Use of masks Splendid costumes Small number of actors and minimal Stylized movements


Common Characters in Noh :Common Characters in Noh Noh plays commonly feature the following characters: Gods Warriors Beautiful women Modern figures Crazy women Demons


Noh Stage :Noh Stage Stage is approximately 19 feet square, made of cyprus wood Pillars at the corners, and two low platforms (to back and to the left) To stage right (for entrance/exit) is a covered walkway ending in a curtain.


Noh Stage :Noh Stage Usually there is no scenery except for a painting of a pine tree on the wall at the rear of the stage. Audience has to imagine the scenery from a description by one of the players.


Video on Noh Stage :Video on Noh Stage Watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ModfyW8wDvo


Noh Music :Noh Music Texts in Noh are partly sung by a choir Music is by an ensemble of: otsuzumi (large hand drum) kotsuzumi (small hand drum) fue (flute) taiko (large drum)


Video on Noh Music :Video on Noh Music Watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEUN1FMKAhs&feature=related


Characteristics of Dancing :Characteristics of Dancing Dances in Noh are typically: Solo Slow with no gymnastic quality Smooth, free flowing, meandering, appear effortless Do involve some leaps and turns (whole body in locomotion, cursive, unlike linear movements in ballet). Feature diminished importance of the legs


Noh Dancing :Noh Dancing Kusemai: Mime performed by Buddhist monks while reciting poetry. Kagura: Shinto dances using the fan, and the particular form of the musical ensemble, used to invite the Gods to be present. Eunen: dances of the Buddhist priests at festivals. Dengaku: music and dances from fields and rice festivals


Noh Dancing (cont.) :Noh Dancing (cont.) Bugaku: imperial court dances of 12th century Japan Furyu: popular songs and dances of the 14th century, to avoid pestilence or achieve salvation Sarugaku: acrobatics and magic tricks


Video on Noh Dancing :Video on Noh Dancing Watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jd9XJeb-P


Performers :Performers 3 Groups of performers in Noh: Shi-te group (main characters) often wear masks, particularly for female roles. Waki group never wear masks. They are the foils of the Shi-te. Kyogen present a monologue between the acts, and also comedies between plays.


Performers :Performers


Questions on Noh? :Questions on Noh?


Kyogen History :Kyogen History The earliest existing Kyogen scripts date from the 300s. Kyogen was used as an intermission between Noh acts. Between individual Noh plays, there was a half-hour Kyogen performance.


Kyogen Themes :Kyogen Themes Themes that linked the theme of the Noh play with the modern world often by means of farce and slapstick. Some serve to explain in simple terms the story of the Noh play. Others simply offer some comic relief.


Kyogen Characteristics :Kyogen Characteristics Unlike Noh, the performers of Kyogen do not wear masks, unless their role calls for physical transformation. Kyogen focuses on realism where Noh is more concerned with symbolism. However, movements and dialogue in Kyogen are typically very exaggerated.


Kyogen Characteristics (cont.) :Kyogen Characteristics (cont.) Slapstick or satire are present in most Kyogen plays. Some plays are parodies of actual Buddhist or Shinto religious rituals. Others are shorter, more lively, simplified versions of Noh plays, many of which are derived from folktales.


Video on Kyogen :Video on Kyogen Watch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TYM_QlA9oc


Another Video on Kyogen :Another Video on Kyogen Watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNX_jkvx0LM


Kyogen Stage :Kyogen Stage Kyogen is performed on the same stage as Noh. Kyogen is performed to the accompaniment of music, especially the flute, drums, and gong. Emphasis is on dialogue and action.


Kyogen Performers :Kyogen Performers Both men and women were allowed to perform Kyogen until 450. Following this time, all Kyogen actors were men (even including those in female roles). Kyogen plays are invariably brief, and often contain only two or three roles, which are often stock characters.


Kyogen Masks :Kyogen Masks Masks (when worn) may depict everything from old people and ugly women to non-human characters, including deities, ghosts, demons, and the spirits of animals and plants. Both masks and costumes are simpler than those characteristic of Noh. Few props are used in Kyogen.


Questions on Kyogen? :Questions on Kyogen?


References :References http://linus.socs.uts.edu.au/~don/pubs/Noh.html http://www.japan-zone.com/culture/Noh.shtml http://en.allexperts.com/e/k/ky/Kyogen.htm http://www.glopad.org/jparc/?q=en/scenery/intro