Notes on specific plays - 'Funa Benkei'

Funa Benkei - Reading notes

The Gikeiki that Tyler refers to in his introduction has been translated. See Yoshitsune: A Fifteenth-century Japanese Chronicle, by Helen Craig McCullough (Stanford UP, 1971)

"Shizuka" means "quietude" or "stillness" but is not uncommon as a personal name.

Funa Benkei - Masks (click on image for full-sized image)

The Mikazuki ("Third-day Moon" -- the very thin crescent moon) Mask worn by the spirit of Taira no Tomomori (both versions below are by modern mask makers). A mask meant to show a combination of power and divinity.

link: Nohmask_Mikazuki_01

link: Nohmask_Mikazuki02

Alternatively, the angry spirit of Tomomori might wear this very angry-looking spirit mask called 'Ayashi'

Shizuka in the play wears either the Ko-omote ("Small Mask", 1st mask from left, below), Waka-onna ("Young woman", 2d mask below) or Fukai ("Deep Well", 3d mask below) Mask--it depends on what age-perspective the theater wants the audience to take from Shizuka's point of view: a very young, innocent woman or a mature young woman or a somewhat older woman wise to the ways of the world. (The masks below are, respectively, by Tatsuemon, 15h c.; Kawachi, 17th c.; and Zekan, 16th c.)

Funa Benkei - Scenes (click on image for full-sized image)

Highlights (Shizuka's farewell dance; Tomomori threatening Yoshitsune), from a graphic advertizing the play

(from Sugiura Toyohiko's [Noh master] homepage. link: noh_sugiurahomepage )

Shizuka, after doning a shirabyoshi hat (see Tyleer, note 10, p. 88) dances farewell to Yoshitsune (Tyler pages 88-89)

(from Sugiura Toyohiko's [Noh master] homepage. link: noh_sugiurahomepage )

The vengeful spirit of the fallen Taira warrior Tomomori as he dances about stage and threatens Yoshitsune. (Tyler, 93-95)

(from Sugiura Toyohiko's [Noh master] homepage. link: noh_sugiurahomepage )

(from the Consulate of Japan, Strasbourg, France, web site, announcing cultural events. This is the Kano school of Noh giving an educational performance of various things related to Noh. link: JseConsulate_StrasbourgFrance )

(from Sugiura Toyohiko's [Noh master] homepage. link: noh_sugiurahomepage )