Unit 3: Music from China and Japan Traditional Japanese Theater: Noh, Bunraku, Kabuki

Similar Characteristics- Men play all roles (including female parts) Full-day experience (“Escape”) Extravagant costumes, symbolic art. Music is imperative to the atmosphere: ◦ Chanters (singers/narrators) and traditional instruments Stage set-up: bridge-like passageways. (For Kabuki and Noh)

Noh Oldest of the three – 14 th century Same control, strictness, and philosophy that we see in Zen or even martial arts Emphasis on tradition, not innovation Parts of the performance include ◦ Shite/Waki (main chatracters, “foils” of each other) ◦ Ky ō gen (perform interludes) ◦ Hayashi (instrument performers: Dvo

Bunraku Traditional puppet theater No strings, large puppets with multiple people operating Parts of the performance include: ◦ Ningy ō tsukai or Ningy ō zukai (puppeteers) ◦ Tay ū (the chanters) ◦ Shamisen players (traditional instrument) ◦ Sometimes, taiko drums are included com/watch?v=UV93 8f46Wpg

Kabuki Still very popular – most popular of the three traditional theater styles Easily identified by unique stage make-up Gained popularity all over world ◦ Touring groups go to Europe and America ◦ Attempts to merge Shakespeare and Kabuki, etc.

Project Introduction – Drawing Songs! Ekaki Uta: Children’s game song, lyrics describe things to draw, eventually a full picture is formed! Traditional, pentatonic melodies and simple pictures ◦ Yama Ga Atte (Once There Was a Mountain) ◦ Mimizu Ga Sanbiki (Three Little Worms) Similar ideas used for modern entertainment BoISq-M