JAPAN 70 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Birdcage, Minamoto No Yoshinaka, Ais People
Document Summary
Noh plays: atsumori (a warrior play by zeami) Story of taira atsumori: warrior killed during battle between heike (taira) vs. genji (minamoto) Biwa players recited the tale of the heike version of atsumori"s life. Playwrights for puppets and kabuki changed story to meet expectations of audiences of the edo-period. Different versions of atsumori"s death: noh, kowaka, kabuki. Zeami"s noh play atsumori emphasizes tragic end of aristocratic taira clan and accomplishments of atsumori (was a musician and brave warrior) As a child, zeami had highest ranking warrior patron, shogun ashikaga yoshimitsu and tutor poet nijo yoshimoto: works promote medieval concept of bumbu: combination of artistic and martial skills of ideal warrior. In the play, atsumori is seen as accomplished flutist. Play enhances stature of the lower classes (grass cutters): show that they have talent too. Parallel between grass cutters in act 1 and taira clansmen in act 2.
