This document provides an introduction to traditional Japanese theatres including Kabuki, Noh, and Kyogen. It describes some key features of each type of theatre such as Kabuki originating in the Edo period and being performed by males, Noh featuring masks and rituals, and Kyogen being comedic entertainment. The document then discusses a Shakespeare adaptation performed in the style of Kyogen comedy. It was a version of "The Comedy of Errors" set in modern Japan with the roles played by a Kyogen theatre family and utilizing some traditional performance elements like masks.

1. Japanese Traditional
Theatres
and
A Shakespeare
adaptation

3. Theme
Brief Introduction of Japanese
Traditional Theatres ; Kabuki, Noh and
Kyogen
Noh Stage and the Globe theatre
Introducing a Shakespeare Adaptation
in Traditional Theatre Style (Kyogen)

4. Traditional Theatres
Kabuki 歌舞伎
Noh & Kyogen 能と狂言
(They are played on the same
stage)
Bunraku 文楽, Joruri 浄瑠璃
(Puppet) etc..

5. Kabuki 歌舞伎

7. The oldest preserved Kabuki theatre in Japan: 金丸座

8. Kabuki- Specific features
Famous Popular Culture
Flamboyant
Started in EDO era (1606-)
Early Girls Theatre banned by Government
Turned to the play by males

9. Noh 能
Left: 小面（Woman’s Mask） Right: 般若(Transformed Woman：Devil)

11. Noh- Specific features
Tragedy (Gods, Fighter, Love&Woman, Mad,
Ghost)
Family Business
Ritual, Use Masks, terd by Edo King
Started 700~800? – (Origin: China)
Sophisticated to the present style by
Zeami (1363-1443) in Medieval Era

12. Stage position; Centre actor measure his position by the 4 pillars
Noh- Stage

13. Itsukushima Shrine, a Noh stage build by 1680 on the beach

14. The ancient style open-air stage, Nara, 芝舞台

15. Noh Stage Roof
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b2/Hakusan_Shrine_Nogakuden.jpg

16. The Globe theatre
in London

19. Noh Stage Plan

20. https://jtwebber2013.wordpress.com/2013/04/26/noh-japanese-theatre/

21. Kyogen 狂言
Neongyoku 「寝音曲」（ねおんぎょく）の一場面

23. Kyogen- Specific features
Comedy (Funny, Family Drunk Episode, Lord
and Sevant, Dance, etc..)
Entertainment, sometime Serious
Separate from Noh-Gaku
Clown Role =“Taro-Kaja”
Rarely use Masks

24. A Shakespeare adaptation
Played by a Kyogen Family
Comedy of Errors
in a Modern Theatre
the dance became famous in
TV show (yayakoshiya!; How
complicated!)

25. 間違いの狂言
An adaptation of “Comedy of
Errors”
狂 = Errors
狂言= Comedy
Syracuse = Shira (白=White)

26. Antiphoius
Nanosuke White island and Black island

27. Dromio
Taro-Kaja of White island and Black island

28. Mask as representing
“another man” (double act)

29. Mask as representing
“another man” (double act)

30. 2 worlds separated by sides

31. Watch Video
DVD Play
(1h22m46s to 1h24m41s)
Scene of the twin brothers meet each other.

32. Thank you!