Reading and Notebook Questions for Week 8 A. Benito Ortolani, The Japanese Theater, "The Modern Theatre: Shimpa" pp. 233-242 This is an introduction to Shimpa (or Shinpa) a new form of theater that developed out of Kabuki, and is usually seen as transitional between Kabuki and Shingeki. This short chapter gives you the basic background, along with important names. 1. What was the relationship of the political context of the 1880s and 1890s with the development of Shinpa? How did this change later? What is Shinpa mainly known for today? 2. What was the main problem facing the development of a new, more "modern" theater form in Japan? 3) Who were these people: Sudô Sadanori, Kawakami Otojirô, Kawakami Sadayako (see images) B. Izumi Kyôka, “The Demon Pond (Yashagaike),” Cody Poulton, trans., in Spirits of Another Sort pp. 119-157. (images) A number of Izumi Kyôka’s novels were adapted for the Shimpa stage, but The Demon Pond (Yashagaike) was the first full-length play Kyôka wrote. It was published in the March 1913 issue of the theater magazine Engei kurabu, but the first performance was not until July 1916. Ii Yôho played Akira and the female role specialist (onnagata) Kawai Takeo played Yuri. 1. As you read through this text, look for allusions and thematic elements
that seem to come from earlier performance traditions, particularly Noh and
Kabuki. What plays does Izumi appear to be drawing on in his creation of
this story? (Plays that you might consider: Noh Kamo and Dôjôji, 2. The model for the character of Akira was supposed to be Kyôka’s friend, Yanagita Kunio (1875-1962). Yanagita is famous as the founder of Japanese folklore studies with his groundbreaking work of ethnography, Tôno monogatari (Tales of Tôno). Look for folkloric motifs and storytelling conventions in the play; how are they used to create characters and structure the storyline? DISCUSSION QUESTIONS ON DEMON POND: Note: in answering these questions do not feel that you have to follow the stage directions and costuming given by Kyoka in the play itself, or what Ortolani says about Shimpa. You can work off those descriptions, or come up with completely different stage sets and costumes, but explain your choices based on your reading of the play with quotations/citations! You may provide illustrations if you like. 1. How would you design the stage set for this play? Where would you place the bell (if you placed it on stage at all)? Would you use any traditional Japanese stage elements? 2. How do you visualize Yuri and Yuki (the princess of Demon Pond) being costumed? What about the other supernatural characters? The villagers? 3. To what extent would you use traditional Japanese theater techniques such as quick changes, mie poses, pantomime, stage lifts, etc.?
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