Japanese Theater (Winter 2013) Week 5b

BUNRAKU AND KABUKI

I. Development of Kabuki:

A. Okuni and her lover Nagoya Sanzoburo (1603)

(images)

1. Crossdressing:

2. Style:

a. definition of kabuki:
3. Plots:

B. Troupes of all males and all females

1. 1629: women banned from public performances

2. 1652: boys forced to shave their forelock

3. Result:

II. Bunraku or Jôruri

A. Terms

1. Bunraku:

2. Jôruri:

B. Early use of puppets (image):

1. purification rituals, substitutes:  


2. size:

C. Chikamatsu Monzaemon (1676-1724):

1. Began in Kabuki:

2. Increased size of puppets:

D. Patronage for Kabuki and Bunraku:

1. Merchant culture:

a. Noh and Kyogen as ritual theater of Samurai


2. Setting fashion:

 

E. How are character and emotion conveyed in Bunraku?

1. Costume, wigs, skin tone, style of head, etc.

a. Puppet heads (image)

2. Chanter (image)

3. Movement

III. The Love Suicides at Amijima (Shinju Ten no Amijima), a sewamono by Chikamatsu Monzaemon

A. Based on real life double-suicide October 14, 1720 by Jihei, an Osaka paper merchant, and Koharu, a courtesan of the Sonezaki pleasure quarter. They committed suicide at the Daichoji temple at Amijima. Chikamatsu's play opened two months later, on December 6th, at the Takemotoza theater.

B. Main characters:

1. Osan:

2. Kamiya Jihei:

3. Magoemon:

4. Gozaemon and wife (Aunt):

5. Koharu:

6. Tahei:

B. Conflict between ninjo (human feelings/compassion) and giri (duty)

1. giri:

2. ninjo:

3. Is this ethical conflict real?

a. Chikamatsu came from Samurai background; applying samurai ethical standards to merchants?

b. eg. of ethical code that generates dramatic conflict: Star Trek's "Prime Directive"

1) Prime Directive:

“ As the right of each sentient species to live in accordance with its normal cultural evolution is considered sacred, no Star Fleet personnel may interfere with the normal and healthy development of alien life and culture. Such interference includes introducing superior knowledge, strength, or technology to a world whose society is incapable of handling such advantages wisely. Star Fleet personnel may not violate this Prime Directive, even to save their lives and/or their ship, unless they are acting to right an earlier violation or an accidental contamination of said culture. This directive takes precedence over any and all other considerations, and carries with it the highest moral obligation." Wikipedia, "Prime Directive"

C. How does this conflict ultimately cause Koharu and Jihei to commit suicide?

1. Jihei has been seeing Koharu for 2-3 years; why do they feel they have to commit suicide now?

a. Tahei:


b. Jihei:

1) Tahei's discussion of money and samurai:

“You may not want to hear me but the clink of my gold coins will make you listen! What a lucky girl you are! Just think--of all the men in Temma and the rest of Osaka, you chose Jihei the paper dealer, the father of two-children, with his cousin for a wife, his uncle for his father-in-law! A man whose business is so tight he’s at his wit’s end every sixty days merely to pay the wholesaler’s bills! Do you think he’ll be able to fork over nearly ten kamme to ransom you? That reminds me of the mantis who picked a fight with an oncoming cart! But look at me -- I haven’t a wife, a father-in-law, a father, or even an uncle, for that matter. Tahei the Lone Wolf--that’s the name I’m known by. I admit that I’m no match for Jihei when it comes to bragging about myself in the Quarter, but when it comes to money, I’m an easy winner. If I pushed with all the strength of my money, who knows what I might conquer?” (pp. 336-37)

“Koharu, I’m a townsman. I’ve never worn a sword, but I’ve lots of New Silver in my place, and I think that the glint could twist a mere couple of swords out of joint.” (p. 338)

2) Audience response?

c. Koharu:.


d. Credit:

 

D. Do you think they are justified in committing suicide? Do you think they have any choice?

1. Suicide as resistance:


2. Theater as a "living newspaper" that imortalizes lovers

3. Copycat love suicides and Government response

1) burial

2) eventually banning plays and stories with "Shinju" (Love Suicide) in the title

E. List the main characteristics of the women (Osan, the wife, and Koharu, the mistress). Compare their characters.

1. How are women portrayed differently in this play from women in Noh and Kyogen?