Overview

A study of the origins of noh theater. The first part of the book delves into the performance forms and religious, political, and cultural conditions that shaped sarugaku (the early form of noh), whose roots lay in the performance of religious rituals to exorcise demons. The second part of the book focuses on the transformation of sarugaku into a high art by the great actor, playwright, and theoretician Zeami Motokiyo (1363-1443). The contents are enlivened by colorful quotations from a wide array of contemporary sources, including diaries, narrative tales, and illustrated picture scrolls, that open up a window onto medieval Japanese culture. The translation aims to make the book accessible to a theater audience as well as a Japan-focused one; explanations of technical terms and background information have been woven into the text, and endnotes, a glossary, index, and bibliography have been added. The endnotes provide supplementary information, as well as giving the location of Japanese sources. Existing English translations of literary and historical works are also noted--