The Nō Plays of Japan

Name: The Nō Plays of Japan
Author: Arthur Waley

By Arthur Waley

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Plays/Films/Dramas

About This Book

A selection of classical Noh drama translated into English presents a curated sequence of short plays enlivened by ritualized song, masked performance, and spare poetic imagery. An extended introduction explains stage layout, role types, musical and choral practice, and a note outlines relevant Buddhist ideas. The translations are arranged in chapters with concise plot summaries, an appended comic kyōgen, stage plans, illustrations, and bibliographic and explanatory appendices. Recurring concerns include memory and loss, encounters with the supernatural, lyrical reminiscence, and the interplay of silence, gesture, and music that defines the theatrical form.

About the Author

Arthur Waley

Arthur Waley was a prominent British sinologist and translator, celebrated for his significant contributions to the understanding of Chinese and Japanese literature. His translations, including 'The Nō Plays of Japan' and 'The Poet Li Po, A.D. 701-762', have made classical Asian texts accessible to Western audiences. Waley's work often explored the intersections of culture and art, as seen in his influential book 'Zen Buddhism, and Its Relation to Art'. His scholarship not only illuminated the literary heritage of East Asia but also fostered a greater appreciation for its artistic traditions in the West.