EA 116 DISCUSSION QUESTIONS WEEK 5

Rokujô gets to tell us much more clearly her side of the story in Aoi no Ue and Nonomiya (The Wildwood Shrine), as compared to Tale of Genji. But her representation is quite different in each play.

The general question we will think about in discussion section is: What kind of a woman does Rokujô seem to be in Aoi no Ue? In Nonomiya? Does she seem to you like the same person as in Tale of Genji? Why or why not? And why would those changes have been made in her character?

To answer the questions above, read through the "useful background information"and answer the questions under section II, which should clarify the differences for you. This is a similar process to what we did with Aoi no Ue and Tale of Genji in class.

Remember that Aoi no Ue is loosely based on chapter 8 ("Heartvine"), whereas Nonomiya is mainly based on chapter 9 ("The Sacred Tree") of Tale of Genji with some references to "Heartvine."

I. Useful background information (see also reading questions, images for Nonomiya, and "photo story"):

A. Formal structure: Basic plot of Dream Vision (mugen) Noh:

1. Ghost returns to the place that has the strongest emotional memory for it (place of death, last place it met loved one etc.).
2. When he/she first appears to a wandering monk, they seem to be just a local person, but reveal too much knowledge about the events that took place in this spot.
3. They eventually admit that they are a ghost and ask a wandering monk to pray for their release from passionate attachments and enlightenment.
4. In the second half of the play they appear in their true form

a. warrior: re-enacts his death through dance
b. woman: dances in memory of her beloved

5. Usually (but not always) at the end they achieve enlightenment.

B. Basic Plot of Nonomiya: The spirit of Rokujo appears to a wandering priest at the temporary shrine where she last met Genji. In the first half she takes the form of a local village woman serving the shrine; in the second half she appears in her true form in a "dream vision."

C. Authorship: Zeami’s son-in-law Zenchiku (1405-1470?)

D. Patronage/audience: highly cultured samurai and aristocrats

II. Rokujô in Nonomiya -- Comparison to Aoi no Ue. Make sure you provide lines from the plays to support your argument!

1. In each play, why does Rokujô appear to the priest or shaman?

Aoi no Ue

Nonomiya

2. What is the central conflict? (It may be psychological)

Aoi no Ue

Nonomiya

3. Is Rokujô demonic?

Aoi no Ue

Nonomiya

4. Does Rokujô achieve enlightenment?

Aoi no Ue

Nonomiya

Note the end of Nonomiya: p. 214: “Now she steps again into her carriage. May she at long last find her way forever out of the Burning Mansion’s gate.”

a. Why do you think there is a difference in the two plays between whether she clearly gets enlightenment or not?

5. Why do you think Rokujô is given so much sympathy and allowed to tell the story from her point of view in both Aoi no Ue and Nonomiya although the plays were written by men? 

6. So what kind of a woman does Rokujô seem to be in Aoi no Ue? In Nonomiya? Does she seem to you like the same person as in Tale of Genji? Why or why not?