93

Bundle 93: Edo Era: Performing Arts

In the Edo period (1603–1867), audiences were spoiled for choice. As these essays show, kabuki (a dance-drama combination featuring elaborate costumes, vivid makeup, outlandish wigs, and exaggerated movements) originated in the first year of the era! Immediately popular, the comic performances depicted everyday life, eventually with suggestive themes (and was particularly fashionable in the red-light districts). Then there was joruri, storytelling done via dramatic chanting, sometimes complemented by puppet shows. Finally, Noh, a type of classical musical drama that mainly involves masked male actors, offered Edo-era citizens yet another entertaining option.
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松
pine tree
JOK: 1394
See how pines connect to New Year's rituals, Noh plays, Basho, bamboo and ume (symbolically), and matsutake mushrooms. Discover a pine tree that matters in Buddhism and twin pines that represent marital happiness, as well as figurative uses of "pine needle." Learn about two sarin gas attacks and the sabotage of railroad lines. Also find out about cows that receive regular massages.
披
exposed
JOK: 1726
With 披, it's as if trumpets have sounded. This kanji enables you to unveil plans, make announcements, debut songs, and show what you're capable of doing. Connected with introductions, displays, and performances, 披 pops up in contexts ranging from weddings to kabuki and Noh to sumo. But this kanji also has a sensitive side; with 披 you can pour out your innermost feelings.
舞
dance
JOK: 1761
Traditional Japanese dance may seem tangential to your life, but it has connections to the gods, so don't overlook it! Also, 舞 is a core part of Nihongo, factoring into terms for bustling activity, story settings, being in the limelight, behaving well or badly, treating others to meals, visiting the sick, seasonal greeting cards, and closing up shop, as well as the words for kabuki and butoh.
瑠
lapis lazuli
JOK: 2135
Find out why {search[瑠璃](るり)} can represent glass, as well as the mineral lapis lazuli and the bright blue color of that stone. Using {search瑠璃} people convey the blueness of everything from our planet as seen from space to the hue of flowers, birds, butterflies, and one kind of cockroach! Lapis is even the color of courage! Also learn about the performing art known as joruri, and see how it relates to puppet theater.
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