Hello. I go into the Noh play part. Therefore I want to investigates about a Noh play. |
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| History Before completion If the origin of a Noh play is followed, it will go back till the long distance Nara period. Private sector entertainments called "Sangaku"were in one of the entertainments across which it has gone from a continent those days. When the Heian period came and this was abandoned, it distributed in various places and the players made the group, and the art was performed, or many made a provincial tour around every place by the festival etc. in response to protection of a big temple company, and continued the art.The name of "Sangaku" also comes to be called "Sarugaku" to these days in the style of Japan, and mimicry also with the gradually humorous contents of an art serves as a subject. This transforms itself from mere mimicry with a time, and develops into development and next "Kyogen" as a words play of the laughter which catches and satirizes various social trends. |
The Noh play of a completion term If it becomes at the time of the Northern and Southern Dynasties while many seats of "Dengaku" and "Sarugaku" compete for an art, the Yamato sarugaku and the Omi sarugaku express power.The Yamato sarugaku bore the expert "Kan'ami" representing the second half of the 14th century especially.Kan'ami got general Yoshimitsu Ashikaga's support, took in the element of songs, such as "Dengaku" and the "Omi sarugaku", or dancing to the strong characteristic style of the mimicry subject which is the tradition of the "Yamato sarugaku", raised to it in arts, and also also performed reform in respect of music, and greatly urged development. "Zeami" established the art of "Noh play " which inherits the achievement of this father and Kan'ami and is transmitted till today.The entertainments itself have already built the steadfast status in this time, and much authors will induce many works and they might not only become the entertainments representing the Muromachi period, but will continue having the stage life which breathes continuously even now. |
| The Noh play of the Age of Civil Wars to theMomoyama term The weakened government after the Onin War and a decline of a temple company dealt a big blow to Noh play.Although the way out was slightly found out to the general public's support, most of "Dengaku" and the "Omi sarugaku" disappeared and the Noh players who depend for an owner inthe second half of the 16th century, and godown to a districtoccurred one afteranother.Especially, it was known that Nobunaga Oda was friendly to the Noh play, and Hideyoshi Toyotomi was a still more enthusiastic lover.The style of a magnificent Noh stage was established against the background of prosperity of this time and the gorgeous Momoyama culture.Moreover, the dress also became luxurious much more.The expert appeared in great numbers also to the author of a Noh mask, and the kind of Noh mask used now came out fully mostly.lso production and words This time when maintenance progressed and experts occurred one after another also to kyogen was also a big turning point while being the revival term of a Noh play. |
The Noh play of the Edo period After Hideyoshi died, Ieyasu Tokugawa who became a generalissimo shogun also followed Hideyoshi's system, gave the player dividend rice etc., and protected the Noh play. A government and many hans While it was the guardian of a Noh play, it was also a severe management supervisor.As a result of requiring exact succession of training of arts, and tradition, ability increased graveness gradually, the business time of one music also became long, and it changed with the severe notification taken out frequently to the severe entertainments which exhaust energy and physical strength. A modern Noh play Many of Noh players who lost the guardian by the Meiji Restoration give up their business. It was obliged to change of employment, and there was also a severed style. However, the Noh play fetched the breath by the government which keenly realized the necessity for national tradition art in response to the influence of a foreign art protection policy, support of the Imperial Household, the nobility, and a new zaibatsu, etc. |
| About the stage The stage for Noh plays consists of "Main stage" and "Hashigakari", and "Kagaminoma" There is no decoration beyond the necessity of the Shiraki structure of a cypress. A jar is put into the bottom of the floor and its sound is important to the performance. About "Main stage" The stage is the place about 6m around with a roof. When a figure on the No.1 explains, it is the square portion where seven persons are sitting down.  About "Hashigakari" In the photograph at the NO.1, the portion of the bridge in left-hand side will be said "Hashigakari." Although there is no strict rule, about 12m - 15m is a standard.  About "Kagaminoma" "Kagaminoma" is an extension of a "Hashigakari". It is a room on the other side of the curtain of the bridge located on the left-hand side in the No.2 photograph. It is usually not visible. Since a big mirror is attached to the wall, it is called "Kagaminoma" (mirror place). The performer wearing a gown enters before the commencement of the performance, and builds feeling toward the mirror. The Noh mask placed on the stand of white wood in front of the mirror is respectfully picked up with both hands, and placed on the performer's face. In this way, he is disguised as a hero. That is, "Kagaminoma" can be called the important place which a performer disguises himself, namely, carries out incarnation.  |
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| The view of a Noh play You do not need to dress or prepare formally. If you are interested, please come by all means. You can surely be satisfied. It will become a precious memory. Conversely, you will get the feeling of "being looked at and repentant." Even if you know nothing about Noh, you do not have anxious. I want you to see by your sensitivity first rather than come with any preconceived ideas. The program of a Noh play is not distinguished for beginners and experts. However, if I can advise one thing, the specific gravity of the theater's nature will say that it is high and begins to see from the program dealing with a prominent historical fact and a prominent tale, and this will affect you. Dress is casual. You may come in sneakers, jeans, or a polo shirt. However, please don't wear revealing dress and sandals or shorts. As for clapping, I will think that what is necessary is just to express your gentle feeling. In order to enjoy the reverberation of the stage, there are some spectators who do not dare applaud. A Noh play has a different wavelength of various sensitivities for every program. You do not necessarily have the same experience each time. By going to see a Noh play, a wonderful encounter is surely waiting for you. |
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