170540 UE Japanese modern theater from the 1960s to today (2020S)

Aims, contents and method of the course

Aims
In the course, you will learn about innovation and tradition of Japanese modern theater.
Through attending the course, students will be able to:
-Demonstrate knowledge of the historical and cultural background of the performing arts in Japan
-Identify, understand and explain the key features of current forms of Japanese performing arts
- Analyze the different kinds of performance

Contents

We will start with an overview of the historical background.
In the Edo period when Japan was in national isolation until the mid-19th century, Japanese classical theater Kabuki played the most important role.
At the beginning of the 20th century, Speech play emerged into the mainstream under the influence of modern plays from Europe, for example,Chekhov, Ibsen and Strindberg.
In 1960's, there was a big momentum shift when the Underground Theater Movement led by the younger generation insisted on the revival of Kabuki. They wanted to build up the new physical theater that carried on traditional Kabuki spirit.

Method

As examples of eminent directors and playwrights who were largely affected by the Underground Theatre Movement and led the Japanese theatre scene for a long time, we will watch videos of two important works: Yukio Ninagawa's "Oedipus Rex" (performed in2002, theoriginal by Sophocles) and Hideki Noda's "THE BEE" (2012).We will analyze the performances in detail.
We will also learn about four great actors of Japanese theater and the symbols of Japanese theater, cherry blossom, moon, and snow.

The course is divided into 8 chapters:

1. Introduction: The birth of Japanese Underground Theater

2.   Theater Direction 1: Overview of Japanese theater directors

3. Theater Direction 2: Analysis of Hideki Noda’s work

4. Theater Direction 3: Analysis of Greek tragedy directed by Yukio Ninagawa

5.  Cherry blossom, Moon, and Snow - the symbols of Japanese theater

6.  The body of great performers 1: Ebizo Ichikawa and Shinobu Otake

7.  The body of great performers 2: Kanzaburo Nakamura and Kikunosuke Onoe

8. Summary discussion and wrap-up 

Chapter1: April 24th, Friday 11:30-14:45 (introduction)
Chapter2&3: May 23rd, Saturday, 11:30-18:15 (with a 1 h lunch break)
Chapter4&5: June 6th, Saturday, 11:30-20:00 (with a 1 h lunch break)
Chapter6&7&8: June 20th, Saturday, 15:30-21:30 (with a 1 h lunch break)