Chikamatsu
Five Late Plays
C Andrew Gerstle author Chikamatsu author C Andrew Gerstle translator
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Columbia University Press
Published:27th Jun '01
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
Chikamatsu Monzaemon (1653-1725), often referred to as "Japan's Shakespeare" and a "god of writers," was arguably the most famous playwright in Japanese history and wrote more than 100 plays for the kabuki and bunraku theaters. Today, the plays of this major literary figure are performed on kabuki and bunraku stages and in the modern theater, and forty-nine films of his plays have been made, thirty-one of them from the silent era. In this volume, Gerstle translates five plays never before available in English that complement other collections of Chikamatsu's work.
Chikamatsu Monzaemon (1653-1725) was arguably the most famous playwright in Japanese history and wrote more than 100 plays for the kabuki and bunraku theaters. This volume includes five plays, four histories and one contemporary piece that complement other collections of Chikamatsu's work, revealing various dimensions to the work of this artist.Chikamatsu Monzaemon (1653-1725), often referred to as "Japan's Shakespeare" and a "god of writers," was arguably the most famous playwright in Japanese history and wrote more than 100 plays for the kabuki and bunraku theaters. Today, the plays of this major literary figure are performed on kabuki and bunraku stages as well as in the modern theater, and forty-nine films of his plays have been made, thirty-one of them from the silent era. Translations of Chikamatsu's plays are available, but we have few examples of his late work, in which he increasingly incorporated stylistic elements of his shorter, contemporary dramas into his longer period pieces. Translator C. Andrew Gerstle argues that in these mature history plays, Chikamatsu depicted the tension between the private and public spheres of society by combining the rich character development of his contemporary pieces with the larger political themes of his period pieces. In this volume Gerstle translates five plays-four histories and one contemporary piece-never before available in English that complement other collections of Chikamatsu's work, revealing new dimensions to the work of this great Japanese playwright and artist.
This book certainly enhances our understanding of the dramatist and his plays as works for performance, so can contribute much to Chikamatsu's continued presence on the international stage...Chikamatsu: Five Late Plays is essential reading for all scholars and students of the playwright's work. It is also highly recommended for those with more general interest in pre-modern Japan or Japanese theatre in performance. -- Helen S. E. Parker The Japan Society ...I consider the book an essential text for any scholar or student wishing to enhance their understanding of the playwright and his works, as well as those wishing to explore 'new' approaches to further their discoveries in the traditional performing arts of Japan. -- Ai Kamikaji School Of Oriental & African Studies vol. 66/3
ISBN: 9780231121668
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
376 pages