Dancing the Dharma: Religious and Political Allegory in Japanese Noh Theater

Dancing the Dharma explores the theory and practice of allegory in medieval Japanese noh plays and treatises, demonstrating how the allegorical mode enabled the complex layering of character and poetic landscape. Understanding the allegorical structure and paying attention to the localized historical context is key to recovering their original function as political and religious allegories.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 400 pages
\n Publication date: 30 April 2021
\n Publisher: Harvard University, Asia Center
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Dancing the Dharma delves into the intricate world of allegory, exploring a captivating selection of medieval Japanese noh plays and treatises. Through the insightful analysis of Susan Blakeley Klein, we witness how medieval esoteric commentaries on the tenth-century poem-tale Ise monogatari (Tales of Ise) and the inaugural imperial waka poetry anthology Kokin wakashū (Collection of Ancient and Modern Poems) exerted a profound influence on the narratives, characters, imagery, and rhetorical structure of seven remarkable plays: Maiguruma, Kuzu no hakama, Unrinin, Oshio, Kakitsubata, Ominameshi, and Haku Rakuten. Moreover, Klein unveils the profound impact of these allegorical works on two treatises: Zeamis Rikugi and Zenchikus Meishukushū. By meticulously unraveling the intricate tapestry of noh's allegorical mode, Klein reveals how it played a pivotal role in shaping the rich and layered characterization and poetic landscape that is synonymous with this ancient Japanese art form.

In her compelling argument, Klein posits that grasping the allegorical structure of noh and delving into the specific historical contexts of individual plays are essential steps toward reclaiming their original purpose as political and religious allegories. When viewed within the broader context of medieval beliefs and practices, noh plays emerge as rich tapestries of meaning, offering contemporary readers a profound glimpse into the intricate tapestry of medieval Japan. Through their enduring resonance, these plays continue to inspire, engage, and enlighten audiences, inviting us to explore the depths of human emotion, societal dynamics, and the profound mysteries of the human condition.

\n Weight: 718g\n
Dimension: 161 x 237 x 34 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780674247840\n \n