literature

Lore for Kara-Tur: Kabuki and Noh Plays

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Published: Jul 14, 2015

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Literature Text

Noh

Noh or as it is nicknamed, "the art of walking", is one of the oldest forms of theater drama in Kozakura and Wa. The stories of its plays are often told through music, chanting, and the movements of the actors. The music is played with four chosen instruments as chanters help narrate the plot. The actors who play the protagonist or other major characters wear special masks that show the nature of the character they are portraying. They can range from the comedic and goofy or polite and reserved and go as far as being vengeful or monstrous. This style of theater is reserved only for the upper class from the Bushi and above. No commoner is allowed to watch this.

Examples of Noh Plays

Hunger of the Mountain Hag
Synopsis: Two yamabushi (mountain priests) are on a pilgrimage when they discover the cottage of a poor old woman. She is complaining of her lonliness and the two priests decide they shall stay for the night to keep her company. As she leaves them to get firewood, they discover a dark secret that may suggest that she is not as innocent as they were led to believe.

The Spear and the Sea
Synopsis: This is the story of the creation of Kozakura and Wa when the celestial siblings dipped a spear into the sea and its drops that were left behind became the islands. Following this is the birth of the Eight-Million Gods that rule over the mortal creatures, including Amaterasu Omikami, the goddess of the sun.

Kabuki

Kabuki or "Song Dance Skills" is a style of theater drama created for the common folk of Wa since Noh plays were off limits to them. The name originated from "kabuku", which describes things that are odd or unusual. It was invented by a shrine maiden who would dress in men's clothes and dance in a dried riverbed as her stage. Her act consisted of moving in unusual fashions and shout of parodies of monk's prayers as her audience watched from a bridge above her. Since that day, more theater troupes and entertainers have copied her style and, after combining it with other styles of theater like Bunraku, Kabuki has become the pride of Wa as the people's form of entertainment.

Examples of Kabuki Plays

A Fool's Life
Synopsis: This is a comedy about a young samurai, who spent all the money his family gave him on drinks and geisha. As a result, he is resented by his family and picked on by other samurai for his stupidity at making himself poor. One samurai offers him a great sum of money, if he can perform one task for him, which is to kill the daughter of his rival. However, when our protagonist sees this woman, he instantly falls in love with her and decides to spare her life, but he still needs the money. So, he plans a way to trick his client into thinking that he succeeded in doing his job. Unfortunately, he has a problem. How does a fool outwit others?

(More to come!)