CLASSIC NOH THEATRE JAPAN PA: 79 (New Directions Paperbook) - Softcover

Fifteen of the most celebrated plays of the Noh theatre repertory aregiven here in their entirety and five more are presented in synopsis.The translations are grounded in a critical discussion of the Nohtheatre, its history and place in the court life of Japan, adescription of the stage on which it is performed, its music, costumes,and masks, and the dance which is usually the high point of theperformance. Both Pound and Fenollosa discuss the special elements ofNoh poetry, and Pound's poetic organization of Fenollosa'sauthoritative translation and notes creates a fortunate collaboration.

The Noh plays of Japan have been compared to the greatest of Greek tragedies for their evocative, powerful poetry and splendor of emotional intensity.