Art of Traditional Japanese Theater

In conjunction with the Fall 2013 Traditional Japanese Theater course taught by East Asian Languages and Literatures Professor Glynne Walley, the JSMA is proud to present Art of Traditional Japanese Theater Part 1 – a curricular rotation emphasizing the Nō theater.  In the fourteenth century Nō (also written Noh) and its comic counterpart, Kyōgen, evolved from earlier dramatic and musical performance traditions to become the medieval dance-drama of Japan’s warrior class.  This gallery rotation features prints by Tsukioka Kōgyo (1869-1927) and others documenting performances of this subtle, elegant, poetic art, along with selected paintings, printed books, theatrical properties (a resplendent Nō costume and carved wooden mask), and netsuke toggles reflecting theatrical themes.  The museum’s emphasis on Japanese drama will continue in the Winter and Spring terms of 2014 with an additional installation focusing on the Bunraku (puppet) and Kabuki theatrical traditions.  These rotations have been made possible because of selected loans and a JSMA Academic Support Grant.