Discover Japanese culture and one of the world's oldest performance artforms in an exhilarating new way: through English-language noh theatre. Intercultural Japanese Noh Theatre: Texts and Analyses of English-language Noh provides a unique perspective on intercultural engagement with Japanese noh, a classical dance-drama that has been performed since the 14th century. Unlike many projects approaching noh from the 'outside in,' this volume dives 'inside out,' tapping into the expertise of both professional Japanese noh performers and dedicated non-indigenous practitioners. Through selected play texts and insightful essays, this collection introduces a new realm of noh to global readers, academics, and theatre enthusiasts interested in Japanese culture. The opening chapters, guided by Akira Matsui, a master actor of the Kita school of noh, offer a contemporary view from within the professional noh world: the subsequent seven playtexts, chosen for their representation of shifts in practice and global resonance, are introduced by the writers, providing insights into their creative motivations. Following each play, experts analyse its performance aspects, from movement and music to costume and language, exploring the implications of integrating Japanese noh professionals with international amateurs. This volume not only contextualizes the chosen noh texts but also serves as a window into a dynamic form of intercultural engagement with noh theatre. By blending tradition with global perspectives, it illuminates the multifaceted nature of noh in a globalized context. For those interested in the longevity of performance art and new intercultural approaches, this book offers a comprehensive exploration of English-language noh and its rich complexity on the global stage.

Table of Contents:
List of contributors List of Illustrations Acknowledgements Note on Terms Foreword: An Actor’s Perspective Akira Matsui Introduction Richard Emmert (Professor Emeritus, Musashino University) The Multiplicity of Noh Ashley Thorpe (Reader, Royal Holloway, University of London) Composing No Music for English Noh Richard Emmert (Professor Emeritus, Musashino University) 1. St. Francis (1970) Preface Arthur Little St. Francis: A Noh Play Arthur Little Always from the Beginning: Locating “St. Francis” within the History of Noh Matthew R. Dubroff (Professor, Hampden-Sydney College, Virginia) 2. Eliza (1989) Eliza: An Introduction Allan Marett (Professor, University of Sidney) Eliza Allan Marett (Professor, University of Sidney) Eliza Between Worlds Jim Franklin 3. Pine Barrens (2005) Pine Barrens Greg Giovanni Pine Barrens: A Noh Play Greg Giovanni Pine Barrens Carrie J. Preston (Professor, Boston University) 4. Pagoda (2009) Writing Pagoda Jannette Cheong Pagoda: An English Noh play in Two Acts Jannette Cheong ‘Autumn leaves drift west and east’: travel, migration, and cultural globalization in Pagoda Ashley Thorpe (Reader, Royal Holloway, University of London) 5. Blue Moon Over Memphis(2014) Coming Full Circle Deborah Brevoort Blue Moon Over Memphis Deborah Brevoort On Blue Moon over Memphis, by Deborah Brevoort Tom Hare (Professor, Princeton University) 6. Zahdi Dates and Poppies(2016) Introduction to Zahdi Dates and Poppies Carrie J. Preston (Professor, Boston University) Zahdi Dates and Poppies: A Warrior Play Carrie J. Preston (Professor, Boston University) Zahdi Dates and Poppies: A Warrior Noh Shelley Quinn (Associate Professor Emerita, The Ohio State University) 7. Emily(2018) Writing Emily Ashley Thorpe (Reader, Royal Holloway, University of London) Emily Ashley Thorpe (Reader, Royal Holloway, University of London) “Times Change, And We With Time;” on Emily Helen S E Parker (Lecturer, University of Edinburgh) Notes Glossary Index