Masterpieces of Kabuki: Eighteen Plays on Stage

Published by University of Hawaii Press 2004

Masterpieces of Kabuki

Eighteen Plays on Stage

Edited by: James R. Brandon and Samuel L. Leiter

https://doi.org/10.1515/9780824845230

Overview
Contents

About this book

Masterpieces of Kabuki contains eighteen outstanding dramas taken from the landmark four-volume series Kabuki Plays On Stage. Together they cover the entire spectrum of kabuki drama from 1697 to 1905, the period during which kabuki’s dramaturgy flourished prior to the onset of Western dramatic influence. Major playwrights, chronological periods of playwriting, and a variety of play types (history, domestic, and dance dramas) and performance styles are represented. All but one are in the current repertory and regularly staged. The volume includes introductions to each play and a new general introduction highlighting kabuki’s historical development and relating the plays to their performance context.

As the subtitle implies, the plays are translated as if "on stage." Stage directions indicate major scenic effects, stage action, costuming, makeup, music, and sound effects. In some cases, complex stage actions such as stage fights are given in detail. The plays collected here are all marvelous examples of dramatic writing, intended to be acted on the stage before audiences. They reveal kabuki’s eras of brilliance and bravado, villainy and vengeance, darkness and desire, and restoration and reform. All continue to stir audiences to admiration and excitement.

Author / Editor information

Brandon James R. :

James R. Brandon is emeritus professor of Asian theatre at the University of Hawai‘i.Leiter Samuel L. :

Samuel L. Leiter is distinguished professor of theatre at Brooklyn College, City University of New York, and also teaches at The Graduate Center, City University of New York.

Reviews

Captures the fascination and glamour of kabuki while maintaining a high standard of scholarly rigor. The book will interest a wide range of readers.

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	v
Preface Publicly Available Download PDF	ix
Introduction James R. Brandon and Samuel L. Leiter Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
Just a Minute! Shibaraku Katherine Saltzman-Li Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	17
The Stone-Cutting Feat of Kajiwara Kajiwara Heizò Homare no Ishikiri From Miura no Òsuke Kòbai Tazuna The Plum-Blossom Reins of Miura no Òsuke William Lee Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	35
Summer Festival: Mirror of Osaka Natsu Matsuri Naniwa Kagami Julie A. Iezzi Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	57
Japan’s Twenty-Four Paragons of Filial Piety Honchò Nijûshikò Paul M. Griffith Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	81
The Precious Incense and Autumn Flowers of Sendai Meiboku Sendai Hagi Matthew Johnson Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	101
The Revenge at Tengajaya Katakiuchi Tengajayamura Alan Cummings Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	119
A Message of Love from Yamato Koi Tayori Yamato Òrai James R. Brandon Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	141
The Picture Book of the Taikò Ehon Taikòki Samuel L. Leiter Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	159
The Scandalous Love of Osome and Hisamatsu Osome Hisamatsu Ukina no Yomiuri Valerie L. Durham Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	181
Kasane Mark Oshima Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	199
Masakado Leonard C. Pronko Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	213
The Tale of the Martyr of Sakura Sakura Giminden Anne Philips Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	225
The Three Kichisas and the New Year’s First Visit to the Pleasure Quarters Sannin Kichisa Kuruwa no Hatsugai Kei Hibino and Alan Cummings Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	243
The Fishmonger Sògorò Sakanaya Sògorò FROM Shin Sarayashiki Tsuki no Amagasa Moonlit Umbrella at the Dish Palace, New Version Faith Bach Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	279
The Mirror Lion, A Spring Diversion Shunkyò Kagami Jishi Paul M. Griffith and J . Thomas Rimer Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	311
Glossary Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	338
Selected Bibliography Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	344
Contributors Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	347
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	349
List of Plays in Kabuki Plays on Stage Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	354

Language: English
Publisher: University of Hawaii Press
Audience: Professional and scholarly;
Pages
- Main content: 368

eBook

Published: May 31, 2004
ISBN: 9780824845230