This course is an introduction to classical Japanese noh theater. After becoming familiar with the structure and function of noh theater through reading and viewing of various plays, students will endeavor to write a noh play about an issue of personal and societal interest. They will present their plays in the final class.
Students will learn the brief history of noh theater and its roles in Japanese society. They will be able to identify the structural elements of noh and connect these to therapeutic practices of individual and social psychology. They will demonstrate their understanding of noh structure, techniques, and function by composing a modern noh play on a topic of personal and social interest.
noh, theater, literature, performance, psychology, therapy, creative writing in English
✔ Specialist skills | ✔ Intercultural skills | ✔ Communication skills | ✔ Critical thinking skills | ✔ Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
The first four to five weeks we will read and discuss noh plays in English, as well as the history, structure, and function of noh. The last three weeks we will focus on composing and refining a modern noh play. Feedback from classmates and the instructor will contribute to the final product, which will be presented in the last class.
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | (1) 9/28: Introduction to noh theater; comparison to psychodrama, playback theater, noh therapy; narrative therapy | read Sumida River |
Class 2 | Discuss Sumida River; bereavement; human trafficking of children | read The Iron Crown |
Class 3 | Discuss The Iron Crown; justice and jealousy in love relationships | read Tomoe |
Class 4 | Discuss Tomoe; gender roles; discrimination | read Fujito |
Class 5 | Discuss Fujito; truth and reconciliation commissions | brainstorm ideas to write a modern noh play on an issue of your choice |
Class 6 | Modern noh plays on various themes; reinventions of old noh plays; outline your noh play | write the first draft of your modern noh play |
Class 7 | Present a summary of your play in small groups; discuss & offer suggestions for improvement | revise your noh play, prepare to present it |
Class 8 | Final draft of your noh play due; Present noh plays to the class | none |
handouts
Japanese No Dramas, translated by Royall Tyler (Penguin, 1992)
20 Plays of the No Theatre, edited by Donald Keene (Columbia University, 1970)
short essays on the plays read 50%; original noh play 30%; presentation 20%
Ability to read and discuss literature in English; Japanese language ability not necessary.