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Script Analysis

By Anonymous
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Description:  Atsumori   ( 敦盛 ) is a Japanese Noh play by Zeami Motokiyo which focuses on Taira no Atsumori, a young samurai who was killed during the Genpei War, and his killer, Kumagai Naozane. Atsumori's death is portrayed tragically in the Heike monogatari ( Tale of the Heike ), from which this and many other works stem. Author: Zeami Motokiyo ( 世阿弥 元清) (c. 1363 - c. 1443), also referred to as Kanze Motokiyo ( 観世 元清), was a Japanese aesthetician, actor, and playwright. Zeami mixed a variety of classical and modern themes into his writing, and made use of Japanese and Chinese traditions. He incorporated numerous themes of Zen Buddhism into his works, resulting in commentors debating the true extent of Zeami's personal interest in Zen. The exact number of plays that Zeami wrote is unknown, but the number is likely to be between 30 and 50. Zeami wrote many treatises about Noh, discussing the philosophy of performance; these treatises are the oldest known works on the philosop...
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Modern Adaptations

By Anonymous
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  Modern Adaptations of Noh Drama     - Modern productions of Noh Theatre in Japan are usually done in the traditional style. Although Zeami fell out of public favor during his time, noh drama came back as a prominent art form in Japan during the Tokugawa Period (1603-1867). - Atsumori,  2019: This  production of  Atsumori  was done at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver traditionally, with exception of requiring male actors and the traditional noh stage. - Curlew River,  1997: Based on  Sumidagawa,  a Japanese noh play, this performance from the Spoleto Festival in Charleston combines elements from Eastern and Western dramas (Noh and Christian storytelling).  Sources: - https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2091.html  - https://www.ubyssey.ca/culture/Noh-Theatre-at-UBC/  - https://www.pingchong.org/work/curlew-river  
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Physical Stage & Costumes

By Anonymous
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Scenery:   - Noh is performed on a square stage with a roof that is supported by the four corners by pillars. All sides of the stage are open except for the back, which consists of a wall with a painted image of a pine tree. A bridge runs at an angle off the stage for performers to enter the stage. It was once performed only outside, but modern plays are held inside. A typical Noh stage Costumes: - Costumes consist of multiple layers and textures that create an effect of resplendent elegance but also a bulky, massive figure. Expressiveness is enhanced by props, most notably a folding fan. Closed, partly closed or open, the fan may represent any object as suggested by its shape and handling, for example a dagger or a lantern. - For costumes, the Waki enters dressed as a priest. The Shite and his companions are dressed as "humble grass cutters", each having a bamboo pole with grass attached to the end. Atsumori's costume, which the Shite changes into for act 2, is d...
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Characters

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CHARACTERS: Atsumori is a type of Japanese play called a Noh play predominantly made in the 14th century. In Noh plays all performers are males, but there a few different types of characters and each execute a specific function in the play: 1.  The Shite- which is the leading character and his movements express various moods. Depending on the play  the Shite can be acting as a deity, demon, spirit, or holy man. 2.  The Waki- which is the supporting character that plays roles such as the priest, monk, or samurai, and he always portrays a living person. 3.  The Hayashi - which are the musicians. There are usually four and they provide accompaniment for the performance with a flute (fue), shoulder drum (kotsuzumi), hip drum (otsuzumi) and/or stick drum (taiko). 4.  The Jiutai- which are the chorus. They sit left stage and assist the Shite in the story. 5.  The Kyōgen - which is a comic actor who played in the play during the interlude between acts a...
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Relationship Between Play & Audience

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Japanese Noh  ( 能, Nō) Theater    - Structured around song, dance, and poetry - Movements are slow - Poetic language - Rich and vibrant costumes   Relates to audience through TRADITION .  - Assumes audience is familiar with Japanese tradition - Commemorative - Some directing to audience Emotional Engagement - Interdisciplinary integration - What does the audience  KNOW ?
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