Four Major Plays of Chikamatsu [Paperback]

Donald Keene (Translator)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0231111010 | ISBN-13: 978-0231111010 | Publication Date: April 15, 1997 0

Chikamatsu Monzaemon (1653-1725) wrote some 130 plays, chiefly for the puppet theater, many of which are still performed today by puppet operators and Kabuki actors. Chikamatsu is thought to have written the first major tragedies about the common man. This edition of four of his most important plays includes three popular domestic dramas and one history play.Chikamatsu's domestic dramas are accurate reflections of Japanese society at the time: his characters are samurai, farmers, merchants, and prostitutes who speak colloquially, and who people the shops, streets, teahouses, and brothels that consituted their daily environment. The heroes and heroines of theses plays gain their tragic stature from their conflict with society. "The Love Suicides at Sonezaki" and "The Love Suicides at Amijima" became so popular that they initiated a vouge for love suicides, both in life and onstage.Donald Keene's translation of the original text is presented here with an introduction and a new preface to aid readers in their comprehension and enjoyment of the plays.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Japanese

About the Author

DONALD KEENE is Shincho Professor of Japanese Literature and University Professor Emeritus at Columbia University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 220 pages
• Publisher: Columbia University Press (April 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0231111010
• ISBN-13: 978-0231111010
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #341,916 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #77 in Books > Literature & Fiction > World Literature > Japanese

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Chikamatsu at his best!, May 7, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Four Major Plays of Chikamatsu (Paperback)

This book is perfect for anyone with an interest in theatre. It's a great introduction to the works of Chikamatsu, and provides four of his best works. The translating is excellent (Donald Keene is undisputedly *the* expert on Japanese translation) and the works are accessible. I was skeptical before I read it, but now I'm a big fan of Chikamatsu. Give it a try!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunningly Modern and Splendidly Naive, June 17, 2008

By 

Lynn Hoffman, author:The Short Course in Beer (Philadelphia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Four Major Plays of Chikamatsu (Paperback)

As Keene points out in his introduction, Chikamatsu is no Shakespeare. There is a lack of grand themes and grand people here. Instead, these are (mostly) tiny tragedies, the misfortunes of the common man. Think instead of Arthur Miller.
Also: don't be too quick to judge the puppet theatre (jojuri) an inherently second-rate. The use of puppets allowed the playwright a scope of action and violence that would have been impossible, unbelievable or just plain disgusting if performed by live actors. Chikamatsu takes full advantage of the structure of puppet theatre which involved voicing the characters and a narrator-a kind of first, second and third person telling of the drama all at once.
These plays are good short introductions to a kind of performance that grew up in isolation from the rest of the world and without any references or debts to Western cultural traditions.

Lynn Hoffman, author of the novel bang BANG