Intercultural Japanese Noh Theatre

Texts and Analyses of English-language Noh

Ashley Thorpe, Allan Marett, Greg Giovanni, Jannette Cheong, Deborah Brevoort, Carrie J. Preston, Arthur Little, Richard Emmert, Ashley Thorpe

• Publisher: Methuen Drama
• Year: 2024
• eBook ISBN: 9781350473157
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: Drama
• Index: Literature

Discover Japanese culture and one of the world's oldest performance artforms in an exhilarating new way: through English-language noh theatre.

Intercultural Japanese Noh Theatre: Texts and Analyses of English-language Noh provides a unique perspective on intercultural engagement with Japanese noh, a classical dance-drama that has been performed since the 14th century. Unlike many projects approaching noh from the 'outside in,' this volume dives 'inside out,' tapping into the expertise of both professional Japanese noh performers and dedicated non-indigenous practitioners. Through selected play texts and insightful essays, this collection introduces a new realm of noh to global readers, academics, and theatre enthusiasts interested in Japanese culture.

The opening chapters, guided by Akira Matsui, a master actor of the Kita school of noh, offer a contemporary view from within the professional noh world: the subsequent seven playtexts, chosen for their representation of shifts in practice and global resonance, are introduced by the writers, providing insights into their creative motivations. Following each play, experts analyse its performance aspects, from movement and music to costume and language, exploring the implications of integrating Japanese noh professionals with international amateurs.

This volume not only contextualizes the chosen noh texts but also serves as a window into a dynamic form of intercultural engagement with noh theatre. By blending tradition with global perspectives, it illuminates the multifaceted nature of noh in a globalized context. For those interested in the longevity of performance art and new intercultural approaches, this book offers a comprehensive exploration of English-language noh and its rich complexity on the global stage.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half-Title Page
• Title Page
• Contents
• List of Illustrations
• List of Contributors
• Foreword: An Actor’s Perspective by Akira Matsui
• Acknowledgements
• Note on Terms
• Introduction: What Is Noh? by Richard Emmert
• The Multiplicity of Noh by Ashley Thorpe
• Composing Noh Music for English Noh by Richard Emmert
• St. Francis (1970)
• Preface by Arthur Little
• St. Francis by Arthur Little
• Always from the Beginning: Locating St. Francis within the History of Noh by Matthew R. Dubroff
• Eliza (1989)
• Preface by Allan Marett
• Eliza by Allan Marett
• Eliza between Worlds by Jim Franklin
• Pine Barrens (2005)
• Preface by Greg Giovanni
• Pine Barrens by Greg Giovanni
• On Pine Barrens by Carrie J. Preston
• Pagoda (2009, 2011)
• Preface by Jannette Cheong
• Pagoda by Jannette Cheong
• ‘Autumn leaves drift west and east’: Travel, Migration and Cultural Globalization in Pagoda by Ashley Thorpe
• Blue Moon Over Memphis (2014)
• Preface: Coming Full Circle by Deborah Brevoort
• Blue Moon Over Memphis by Deborah Brevoort
• On Blue Moon Over Memphis by Thomas Hare
• Zahdi Dates and Poppies (2016)
• Preface by Carrie J. Preston
• Zahdi Dates and Poppies: A Warrior Play by Carrie J. Preston
• Zahdi Dates and Poppies: A Warrior Noh by Shelley Fenno Quinn
• Emily (2018)
• Preface by Ashley Thorpe
• Emily by Ashley Thorpe
• ‘Times Change, and We With Time’; on Emily by Helen S. E. Parker
• Notes
• Glossary
• Index
• Copyright