MICHISHIGE UDAKA
December 7th 2010 03:37
:
The secrets of Noh masks
MICHISHIGE UDAKA
The secrets of Noh masks
Reviewed by David Jobling.
This is a stunning book. The objective is simple. A description of the various masks that are used in Noh Theatre, an ancient Japanese drama, ritualised over time to be quite a mesmerising and beautiful display of stagecraft and art. Each description is accompanied by a slick photograph of the character/mask.
Noh Theatre is a corporeal treat; the music usually live and highly descriptive of the subconscious; the story content usually familiar through some known parable; the characters part of a stable of people who each have their own back story. Each have a set of values and themes they carry with them. Creating the key to all of these diverse elements are the masks.
Obviously each mask depicts a character, and Udaka describes each character with some depth. This book is very useful to anyone watching the Noh, or studying communication and/or the arts.
The relativity between identifying character and the way a mask has been carved is very interesting; the art of capturing an emotion with layers of subtlety through wood carving and paint is so exacting, particularly when you must keep the essence of the character alive over time.
Each contemporaneous mask must be as accurate as the one it is replacing; these faces are copied over centuries. The built in emotion triggers a stance from the actor. It is a very involving process.
While the process of creation is touched on, the focus is more the meanings and moods behind the character. Examples of traditional stories run through the book so placement of characters in their legendary world provides context and insight.
Useful as a resource, and tremendously interesting to read - ultimately the main seduction is the quality of the book and its images.
About the Author(s)
MICHISHIGE UDAKA is, regarded as the most prominent Noh actor at this time, as well as a mask maker, playwright and teacher.
In 1984, he founded the International Noh Institute and the following year, he produced, directed and performed in the U.S. as part of the U.S./Japan Cultural Exchange Group. In 2011, he plans to return to the U.S. to perform his new work, "Atomic Cloud," which promotes world peace.
SHUICHI YAMAGATA is an acclaimed advertising photographer.
160 pages
100 photos
144 full-color pages
7 1/2 x 9 7/8
ISBN 13: 978-4-7700-3095-5
ISBN 10: 4-7700-3095-9
The secrets of Noh masks
Reviewed by David Jobling.
This is a stunning book. The objective is simple. A description of the various masks that are used in Noh Theatre, an ancient Japanese drama, ritualised over time to be quite a mesmerising and beautiful display of stagecraft and art. Each description is accompanied by a slick photograph of the character/mask.
Noh Theatre is a corporeal treat; the music usually live and highly descriptive of the subconscious; the story content usually familiar through some known parable; the characters part of a stable of people who each have their own back story. Each have a set of values and themes they carry with them. Creating the key to all of these diverse elements are the masks.
Obviously each mask depicts a character, and Udaka describes each character with some depth. This book is very useful to anyone watching the Noh, or studying communication and/or the arts.
The relativity between identifying character and the way a mask has been carved is very interesting; the art of capturing an emotion with layers of subtlety through wood carving and paint is so exacting, particularly when you must keep the essence of the character alive over time.
Each contemporaneous mask must be as accurate as the one it is replacing; these faces are copied over centuries. The built in emotion triggers a stance from the actor. It is a very involving process.
While the process of creation is touched on, the focus is more the meanings and moods behind the character. Examples of traditional stories run through the book so placement of characters in their legendary world provides context and insight.
Useful as a resource, and tremendously interesting to read - ultimately the main seduction is the quality of the book and its images.
About the Author(s)
MICHISHIGE UDAKA is, regarded as the most prominent Noh actor at this time, as well as a mask maker, playwright and teacher.
In 1984, he founded the International Noh Institute and the following year, he produced, directed and performed in the U.S. as part of the U.S./Japan Cultural Exchange Group. In 2011, he plans to return to the U.S. to perform his new work, "Atomic Cloud," which promotes world peace.
SHUICHI YAMAGATA is an acclaimed advertising photographer.
160 pages
100 photos
144 full-color pages
7 1/2 x 9 7/8
ISBN 13: 978-4-7700-3095-5
ISBN 10: 4-7700-3095-9
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