Week 1 Discussion Questions on Noh plays

NOTE: you do not need to write out full sentences to answer these questions, but you do need to give evidence. And provide page numbers!

(NOTE: do *not* use the photo story from <the-noh.com> for answering the question -- the translation is not good enough. Use TJT or JND.)

To get full credit for the discussion questions you need to upload them to the discussion drop box BEFORE class. You are allowed to submit a second version after class, if you want to change your answers.

Zoom: you will be put in breakout rooms to discuss in small groups in class. You can submit a second version of your answers after section, based on your discussion

In-person: you will meet in small groups to discuss your answers. You can hand correct your printed out version and turn in at the end of class.

Izutsu (The Well Cradle) [TJT 143-157 or JND 120-132] photo story, images, Japanese

Kinuta (The Fulling Block) [JND 156-70] images, photo story

FOR THESE TWO PLAYS:

1. What category of play is it? (Deity, Warrior ghost, Female ghost, Miscellaneous-Dramatic Present, Demon). Note that it may not be completely clear!

2. What is the main conflict or tension in the play? How is it resolved? Give supporting evidence.

3. How does the structure and other elements of these two plays appear to be related to shamanic rituals? List all the ways you can see. Note that Kinuta incorporates a pacification ritual in the dramatic present (genzai); Izutsu presents a concealed pacification that occurs in a dream vision (mugen).

4. How does the shite character appear in the first half versus the second half of the play? (See also images links above.)

5. Who is the waki character and what is his relationship to the shite?

6. Why does the shite character disappear in the end? Has the shite gotten what she wanted?