Noh Files - Series II:

A History of Noh
Noh was created by Kan'ami (観阿弥) and his son, Zeami (世阿弥) around 600 years ago. However, as an artistic expression this was just the beginning of Noh. During these past 600 years, Noh players have continued to improve and refine their art. By passing down the best elements from generation to generation, and incorporating new ideas at every opportunity, Noh has gradually evolved over time.
Noh was not created from zero, however, rather it was borne out of the influence of numerous foregoing artistic and religious performances. These include Den-gaku (田楽): a religious event praying for an abundant harvest, which began about the end of the Heian Period (794-1192), Bu-gaku (舞楽): music introduced from Korea, China and India in the 7th century and modified in Japan during the 9th century, Ko-uta (小歌): folk songs, and Kuse-mai (節曲舞): a dance and song accompanied by tsuzumi (鼓: a kind of small shoulder drum) performed during the early Muromachi Period (1338-1573). Inspiration was also drawn from Shirabyoshi (白拍子): a dance and folk song performed by a woman dressed in male attire, which developed during the middle Heian and Kamakura Periods (1192-1338), Ennen-furyu (延年風流): a performance of parts of Den-gaku, Saru-gaku and Bu-gaku plays performed by Buddhist priests as a prayer for long life during the late Heian and early Muromachi Periods. However, possibly the strongest influence came from Saru-gaku (猿楽) and San-gaku (散楽), a comedy and mime act adopted from China in 8th century which developed during Heian, Kamakura and Muromachi Periods. As Saru-gaku was performed as a major event at temples and shrines, it became quite popular. Various schools of Saru-gaku existed, such as "Yamato-Saru-gaku" (Nara), Omi-Saru-gaku (Shiga), and Tanba-Saru-gaku (middle parts of Kyoto and Hyogo). During the Muromachi period, Yamato-saru-gaku moved its base from Nara, the center of Buddhism, to Kyoto, the center of politics and commerce. This was in order to seek the support of the Muromachi Bafuku (government).
Kan'ami was the founder and leader of Yamato-saru-gaku, with Zeami the school's star actor. At that time, the word "Noh" simply meant "a play". In other words, every type of play was called Noh, for example "Noh of Saru-gaku" or "Noh of Den-gaku" etc. Over time however, most of these different plays gradually disappeared, and the word "Noh" came to mean only "Saru-gaku", which present Noh is based on.
Today, there are five schools of Noh; Kanze-ryu (観世流), Hosho-ryu (宝生流), Konparu-ryu (金春流), Kongo-ryu (金剛流) and Kita-ryu (喜多流). All of these schools, except for Kita-ryu, originate from the four "Za" (座) or groups of entertainers (eg. Kanze-za) which made up Yamato-Saru-gaku. These four groups were sponsored by the Tokugawa Bafuku. Kita-ryu was later founded in 1618 by KITA Shichidayu (喜多七太夫) and became the 5th school of Noh.

This Months Recommended Noh:
12 Oct, (Sat.) 13:00 Katayama Regular Noh, "Nonomiya", "Zegai"
Fee: \3,500 (\2,000 Stu.)
Location: Kyoto Kanze Kaikan, Niomon-dori west of jingu-michi
Inquiries: 075-771-6114
27Oct. (Fri.) 17:00 Kawamura Regular Kamidachiuri, "Akogi", "Katsuragi"
Fee: \4,000 (\3,000 Stu.)
Location: Kawamura-Noh-Butai, Karasuma, Kamidachiuri agaru
Inquiries: 075-722-8716
28 Oct. (Sat.) 12:30 Kanze-seinen-Kenkyu-Noh, "Seiobo", "Ebira"
Fee: \2,500 (\1,500 Stu.)
Location: Kyoto Kanze Kaikan, Niomon-dori west of jingu-michi
Inquiries: Tel (075) 771- 6114

H. Tamoi (Translated by M. Amanuma)

An Introduction to Japanese Cinema

With the exception of the USA, Japan has arguably made the greatest contribution to the cinematic art during its one hundred year history. In spite of this (or maybe because of it) occupying American forces saw fit to destroy such a large quantity of Japanese archives in the aftermath of WWII.
The influence of Japanese cinema on other countries' output has been considerable ; film giants like Spielberg, Scorcese, Shrader, Coppola, George Lucas, Godard, Pasilini, Fassbinder and many others having cited the films of Kurosawa, Mizoguchi and Ozu as some of their chief influences.
The Magnificent Seven was a Hollywood adaptation of Kurosawa's shichinin no samurai (The Seven Samurai - 1954) and his yojimbo (The Bodyguard - 1961) appeared under the guise of A Fist Full Of Dollars with Clint Eastwood in the starring role, replacing the brilliant Toshiro Mifune - the actor of choice for many of Kurosawa's greatest films.
George Lucas is reportedly said to have based the characters of C-3 PO, R2-D2, Princess Leah, Hans Solo and Darth Vader on five of the characters from Kurosawa's kakushi toride no san akunin (Hidden Fortress - 1958) but I don't remember any droids in that film.
Kurosawa himself turned to the west for inspiration however, adapting Shakespeare's Hamlet for a Japanese audience in his kumonosu-jo (Throne of Blood - 1957).
He may be the best known Japanese film director, for indeed it was his rashomon that won the Grand Prix at the Venice Film Festival in 1951 and opened the world's eyes to the treasures of Japanese film, but most critics agree that his work is some way from being as good as that of Kenji Mizoguchi or Yasujiro Ozu, both of whom made a large proportion of their films before the War (and thus saw a lot of it go up in flames). Mizoguchi, in particular, has been hailed widely as a genius, on one occasion called the 'Shakespeare of cinema'.
As a result of his hatred for his own father, the father figures in Mizoguchi's films are invariably contemptible characters. One notable exception is sansho dayu (Sansho the Bailiff - 1954) which was one of two films to win the Silver Lion at the Venice Film Festival.
Ozu and his contemporary, Mikio Naruse, were widely reckoned to have perfected the art of the family drama, gracefully portraying small scale emotions with a degree of subtlety only the Japanese seem capable of. His tokyo monogatari (Tokyo Story - 1953) is a famous example.
After the Golden Age
As you may have gleaned, the real gems of Japanese cinema were made nearly half a century a go. However, Kurosawa reared his head again in the Seventies with Dersu Uzala in 1975 ( ironically enough this was a Russian production, but despite Cold War tensions, the American Academy honoured it with the Oscar for Best Foreign Film) and in 1980 with his full colour samurai epic, Kagemusha (Shadow Warrior) which again, earned him the Grand Prix in Venice.
In 1976 Nagisa Oshima made "...the only intelligent hard core porn film ever made" ai no Corrida (In the Realm of the Senses). Unfortunately, it was one of the most boring porn films ever made too, although it was better than his 1985 offering itoshi no max (A Better Man) which featured Charlotte Rampling being ravaged by an ape...(the mind boggles).
Into the Nineties
The work of comedian 'beat' Takeshi Kitano has recently received foreign acclaim, his hanabi (Fireworks - 1997) scooping the Golden Lion at Venice in the same year. Quentin Tarantino is a big fan of his films and has expressed interest in importing them into the States to release under Miramax. Beat's other films including "Sonatine" and "Violent Cop" are very peculiar offerings. At times shockingly violent, but otherwise strangely poetic and always centering around the melancholic screen presence of Takeshi himself. Worth checking out if you ever find yourself in a video shop.
Lastly, to not extol the virtues of Hiroyuki Nakano's Samurai Fiction (1988) would be criminal in an article such as this. Blending a groovy rock soundtrack by Japanese idol Tomoyasu Hotei (also playing the bad guy) and modern cinematic techniques with the traditional black and white samurai drama creates a must-see movie for anyone even remotely interested in modern Japanese cinema. Terrific stuff!
Notes
The two best places for non-Japanese speakers to discover this country's films are Buttercups (a coffee shop half way along Shiragawa-dori , west side, where you can borrow videos subtitled in English) and the Japan Foundation Kyoto Office (Tel:075-211-1312) where you can watch subtitled movies for free on Wednesday afternoons.
D. Watson & D. Lee

Autumn in Kyoto: Picking Persimmons

During autumn, you may come across a lot of deciduous trees with orange colored fruits scattered among their dark-green leaves. Do you know what they are? Yes, they are persimmons. Persimmons or kaki(椛) are the flavor of autumn in Japan. People love them not only for their delicious taste, but also for their positive health effects. High in fiber with a healthy dose of vitamin A and C, persimmons also contain anti-cancer and blood pressure lowering substances. In fact, there is a saying in Japanese, "When persimmons gain color (become ripe), doctors lose color! (椛が赤くなれば、医者が青くなる） In other words, persimmons are so good for your health that, assuming you eat them regularly, you are unlikely to fall ill and need a doctor.
And did you know there are over two thousand varieties of persimmons? Produced in almost every conceivable shape, size and flavor, sweet persimmons are eaten fresh, while astringent ones are generally processed to remove any bitterness. Processing usually involves converting them into dried fruit, which produces a white sugary coating on the outer surface. Another means of taking away the bitter flavor, although not as common, is by sealing them in an airtight used sake cask for a period of time.
The Oe area(大枝), particularly around Nishinaga-cho (西長町), in the southwestern part of Kyoto City, is renowned for producing excellent persimmons. Only one type of persimmon is produced in the area, a superior quality fruit called "Fuyugaki"(富有柿). As the gem of persimmons, fuyugaki is exceptionally large, juicy and sweet. The production of fuyugaki has prospered in the Oe area since 1935, and appears set to continue for many years to come. Why not go for a walk around this area with friends or family on a fine day this autumn. You will find fuyugaki being sold at relatively cheap prices from the numerous roadside stalls found near each orchard.
If you would like to try picking your own persimmons, you should apply as follows.
Period: 25 Oct. (Wed.) - 30 Nov. (Thu.) Any 2 hour period: 11:00 - 15:00
Day: Sat., Sun. and public holidays.
Fee: \800 (Junior high students and above), \600 (elementary) for all you can eat!
Access: From Hankyu Katsura sta. take city bus Nishi (西) 1 or 5 and get off at the Shinbayashi Center (新林センター). From JR Kyoto Station take Kyoto Kotsu Bus (京都交通バス) bound for Oharano Nagamine (大原野長峰) and get off at Nishinaga Shukkajo Mae (西長出荷場前).
Inquiries: 075-331-0336 (Mr. Murakami) or 075-331-0596 (Mr. Nakao)
The flower language of the persimmon is "Let me rest in the tranquility of nature". I hope you will feel refreshment of mind and body in the peaceful rural setting of Oe.
Y. Matsuda

Diggin' Sweet Potato

The original home of the sweet potato is said to be Central and South America. Its introduction into the Ryukyu Islands (琉球: present Okinawa) in 1605 was timely, and brought much welcome relief to the local people. For in those days, the Ryukyu Islands were often hit by natural calamities and many people suffered from famine. The successful harvesting of the sweet potato despite the low quality soil
helped secure an important source of food. Later the sweet potato spread to mainland Japan through Satsuma (薩摩: present Kagoshima) in Kyushu (九州), from where its name in Japanese, "Satsumaimo" (薩摩芋）was derived.
During the mid-18th century, a Chinese herbal specialist from Joyo (城陽) in Kyoto visited Kyushu, where he ended up living for 11 years. When he finally returned to Joyo he brought back the seeds of the sweet potato hidden in his hair, which was done in a topknot. Although at the time it was against traditional customs to take seeds from one area to another, considering the plight of the farmers in Joyo, he believed it was understandable. Farmers living along the Kizu River (木津川) in Joyo had been for many years troubled by repeated flooding which destroyed their crops and gradually degraded the soil. The herbal specialist gave the sweet potato seeds to the local farmers, who were then able to produce an abundant harvest in the sandy soil.
Today, this area is called Arasu (荒砂), and is well known for its sweet potatoes. In fact, the farms in the area have been open to the public in autumn since the beginning of the Showa Period (1925-1989), attracting many people each season, both young and old. Apart from its great taste, the sweet potato is also rich in nutrition, containing sugar, iron, calcium, carotene, fiber and vitamin B and C. Put simply, a health food that is irresistibly tasty!
If you would like to try digging up your own sweet potatoes, refer to the following.
Period: Until 31 Oct. (Tue.)
Fee: \660 for 3 roots
Access: Kintetsu Terada Station (寺田駅) or Joyo JR Station (城陽駅) on the JR Nara Line. To ask for directions to the potato farm from the station, say "Arasu imo-hori noen ni annai shite kudasa" (あらすいも堀農園に案内して下さい。)
Inquiries: 0774-52-5131 (JA Kyoto Yamashiro, Joyo Branch)
M. Matsushita