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Book/Printed Material Three Noh Songs: Takasago, Kamo, and Kantan.

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About this Item

Title

  • Three Noh Songs: Takasago, Kamo, and Kantan.

Summary

  • This large manuscript book dates from the middle of the Edo period (1600--1867). The title is found on the endpaper, inside the front cover. The book contains libretto and music notations of three Noh chants or songs, Takasago, Kamo, and Kantan, accompanied by six colorful illustrations of Noh actors. The paper has gold-painted designs underneath the text. Noh, a classical form of Japanese musical drama, developed in the middle ages. Actors, chorus, and musicians all appear on the stage together. The music, like the movement, is stripped down to create a simple, concentrated atmosphere. Takasago is a masterpiece by Zeami (1363--1443), who established Noh as a classic theatrical art. It is a story of a Shinto priest's encounter with the spirits of two ancient trees, one at Takasago in Harima Province and the other in Settsu Province. The spirits reveal that they are husband and wife, and although separated by a great distance, their hearts are united. Kamo is said to be by Konparu Zenchiku (circa 1405--69), who further developed Noh theater after Zeami. Kamo tells the origin of Kamo Shrine, in Kyoto, with grace and gallant chants. Kantan is a moral enlightenment fable, based on Zhenzhong ji (Record within a pillow), a Chinese tale from the Tang Dynasty (618--907). A young man, napping at an inn having borrowed a magical pillow, has a dream of his glorious life, in which he reigns for 50 years. Awaking from his brief dream, he understands that life itself is only short and fragile.

Names

  • Konparu, Zenchiku, circa 1405--1469 Contributor.
  • Zeami, 1363-1443 Contributor.

Created / Published

  • [place of publication not identified] : [publisher not identified], [1600 to 1867]

Headings

  • -  Japan
  • -  1350 to 1450
  • -  Actors
  • -  Drama
  • -  Japanese drama
  • -  Musical theater
  • -  Nō plays
  • -  Woodcuts

Notes

  • -  Title devised, in English, by Library staff.
  • -  Original resource extent: 1 book : color illustrations ; 34.5 x 25 centimeters.
  • -  Original resource at: National Diet Library.
  • -  Content in Japanese.
  • -  Description based on data extracted from World Digital Library, which may be extracted from partner institutions.

Medium

  • 1 online resource.

Digital Id

Library of Congress Control Number

  • 2021667429

Online Format

  • compressed data
  • pdf
  • image

Additional Metadata Formats

IIIF Presentation Manifest

Rights & Access

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Credit Line: [Original Source citation], World Digital Library

More about Copyright and other Restrictions

For additional information and contact information for many of the partner organizations, see this archived capture of the World Digital Library site from 2021.

For guidance about compiling full citations consult Citing Primary Sources.

Cite This Item

Citations are generated automatically from bibliographic data as a convenience, and may not be complete or accurate.

Chicago citation style:

Konparu, Zenchiku, Circa 1405, and Contributor Zeami. Three Noh Songs: Takasago, Kamo, and Kantan. [Place of Publication Not Identified: Publisher Not Identified, to 1867, 1600] Pdf. https://www.loc.gov/item/2021667429/.

APA citation style:

Konparu, Z. & Zeami, C. (1600) Three Noh Songs: Takasago, Kamo, and Kantan. [Place of Publication Not Identified: Publisher Not Identified, to 1867] [Pdf] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2021667429/.

MLA citation style:

Konparu, Zenchiku, Circa 1405, and Contributor Zeami. Three Noh Songs: Takasago, Kamo, and Kantan. [Place of Publication Not Identified: Publisher Not Identified, to 1867, 1600] Pdf. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/2021667429/>.