Japanese Theatre

Front 1

Japanese Actor/Director - First to turn stories into Noh art form.
-Komachi at the Stupa

Back 1

Kan'ami

Front 2

Son of Kan'ami - Influential person in development of Noh. Wrote 100 of the 240 active Noh repertory.
-Developed the idea of Yugen or the the mysterious heart or inner spirit behind outward form. Wrote 3 important treatises on acting.

Back 2

Zeami Motokiyo

Front 3

Hero or chief character in Noh plays, often masked. "The one who acts."

Back 3

Shite

Front 4

In noh, supporting guest characters, often wandering priest.

Back 4

Waki

Front 5

The follower of the hero in Noh theatre

Back 5

Tsure

Front 6

Type of Noh where chief character relates profound experience to passerby. Ends with poetry, dance, music.

Back 6

Phantasmal

Front 7

Type of Noh where living characters are present in stage time.

Back 7

Present Existence

Front 8

Noh theatre entrance from actors room off stage. 20' long.

Back 8

Hashigakari

Front 9

Japanese theatre emphasizing puppets.

Back 9

Bunraku

Front 10

Chanted texts of Bunraku named after a female character in one of the texts.

Back 10

Joruri

Front 11

Lead writer for original plays of Bunraku.
"The Shakespeare of Japan."

Back 11

Chikamatsu Monzaemon

Front 12

The outstanding Bunraku chanter of the day.
-Heroic and History
-Domestic Dramas
Wrote "The Love Suicides at Sonezaki"

Back 12

Takemoto Gidayu

Front 13

According to legend, is credited with developing the most popular form of Japanese theatre, Kabuki theatre.

Back 13

Shinto Priestess Okuni of Izumo

Front 14

Male characters played with a feminine acting style.

Back 14

Wagoto

Front 15

"rough stuff of business" and refers to superheros and villains in Kabuki plays. "Rough Style"

Back 15

Aragoto

Front 16

Dramatic pose adopted by main character during moments of emotional intensity.

Back 16

Mie

Front 17

The "flower way" or raised narrow platform connecting the rear of the auditorium with the stage in Kabuki theatre.

Back 17

Hanamichi