The Nō Plays of Japan by Arthur Waley

(5 User reviews)   628
Waley, Arthur, 1889-1966 Waley, Arthur, 1889-1966
English
"The Nō Plays of Japan" by Arthur Waley is a collection of translations of traditional Japanese Nō dramas written in the early 20th century. This work introduces Western readers to the unique and stylized form of Japanese theater, capturing its essential cultural themes of fate, memory, and the human condition as they unfold through the richly poet...
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and spiritual elements that are central to the narratives. At the start of the collection, Waley provides an introduction that immerses the reader in the world of Nō theatre, discussing its significance and the staging and performance style that distinguish it from Western drama. The opening section presents three plays: "Atsumori," which revolves around the themes of guilt and redemption, introduces Kumagai, a warrior turned priest, who encounters the ghost of Atsumori, a young man he killed in battle. "Ikuta" follows a young boy seeking to meet his deceased father, Atsumori, and highlights themes of loss and parental connection. Finally, "Tsunemasa" explores the sorrow of a ghost who returns to listen to prayers dedicated to him. Through these narratives, the book encapsulates the profound spiritual and emotional depth characteristic of Nō plays. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
Paul Moore
1 month ago

Surprisingly enough, the examples add real-world context to abstract ideas. This sets a high standard for similar books.

Liam Thomas
2 months ago

I picked this up late one night and the structure allows easy navigation and quick referencing. I'm sending the link to all my friends.

Carol Lee
2 months ago

I’ve been searching for content like this and the plot twists are genuinely surprising without feeling cheap or forced. Thanks for making this available.

Ashley Allen
5 months ago

Out of sheer curiosity, the author demonstrates strong mastery of the topic. I’ll be referencing this again soon.

Susan Lee
3 months ago

From an academic standpoint, the author's voice is distinct, making the complex topics easy to digest. It is definitely a 5-star read from me.

4.5
4.5 out of 5 (5 User reviews )

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