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Japanese theatre
Peking Opera is an art of
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The Asian Theatre features many rich and beautiful traditions. The realm of Asian Theatre encompasses certain Eastern Traditions which often stem from Buddhism and Taoist practices or beliefs. Martial Arts and acrobatics are frequently utilized in the Noh Theatre, Kabuki, and the Beijing Opera. Karate and Kung Fu were a few of the styles actors applied to the Art of Asian Theatre. The Beijing Opera has been a very popular art form in China for over two-hundred years. The Beijing Opera utilizes various elements such as singing, mime, acrobatics/contortion, and martial arts. Performers in the Beijing Opera begin their training at an early age, therefore, carrying on the family vocation. The children are often sent away to a school to train under a master. Beijing Opera performers believe “All fight routines used in Chinese theatre express total exploration of the concept of roundness” (1). Every movement/ block, punch, or kick in Chinese theatre is in some way balanced, therefore, exhibiting the notion of Ying/Yang. Many of the Martial Art aspects found in the Beijing Opera/Chinese theatre derive from the ancient art of Kung Fu. Many scholars believe that Kung Fu was originally developed and used by the military in 2600 B.C and was known the militants as Chiou Ti. In 2698 B.C., Emperor Huangdi began to formalize the art of Kung Fu by inventing a form of wrestling that was taught to soldiers.
(1) Riley, Jo. Chinese Theatre and Actor in Performance. Cambridge, U.K.: Cambridge UP, 1997. Print.
This specific style soon became known as Jiao Di, and over the years, Jiao Di masters began to include joint locks, strikes, and blocks. This style also became a popular sport during the Qin Dynasty in 221 B.C. Many Masters/Sinus created their...
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... to statues. In conclusion, the Asian Theatre as a whole carries a beautiful history and utilizes traditions and techniques that are thousands of years old. Over the years, Kabuki, Noh, and the Beijing Opera have turned to various Martial Arts for inspiration, therefore, adding a sense of mystery and excitement to each performance.
Works Cited
Minick, Michael. The Wisdom of Kung Fu. New York: Morrow, 1974. Print.
The Art of Kabuki. Berkeley: University of California, 1979. Print.
Carruthers, Ian, and Takahashi Yasunari. The Theatre of Suzuki Tadashi. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge UP, 2004. Print.
Riley, Jo. Chinese Theatre and the Actor in Performance. Cambridge, U.K.: Cambridge UP, 1997. Print.
"Martial Arts and Acting Arts." JTC :Turse. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2013
"Eighteen Arms of Wushu." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 24 Nov. 2013. Web. 25 Nov. 2013.
Jennie, Schulman. "Geoffrey Holder: A Life in Theatre, Dance, and Art." Back Stage 20 Sept. 2002: 11-12. Rpt. in Back Stage. N.p.: n.p., n.d. N. pag. Print.
Ross, Janice. “Judson Dance Theatre: Performative Traces.” TDR: The Drama Review 53, no. 2 (2009): 161-164
Butler, Judith. "Performative Acts and Gender Constitution: An Essay in Phenomenology and Feminist Theory." Theatre Journal 40.4 (1988): 519-31. The Johns Hopkins University Press. Web. 11 May 2011.
In the history of civilization, there have been many different types of theatre. There is Greek theatre and Elizabethan theater. Some are musicals, some are comedies and some are tragedies. Some types employ realistic techniques while others are more avant-gardes. But one type stands out among the rest, and that is Kabuki theatre. This classical Japanese style of dance and drama is not just theatre. It is a beautiful form of art, which has been carefully crafted over many centuries.
... turned one of the Chinese literati temple into a table tennis area (Sommer 1995, 19). During modern period, some universities utilize the Imperial Exams as they had hundreds of years ago so the traditional Chinese ways apply to modern society (Hayhoe 2011, 98).
Brazell, Karen. Traditional Japanese Theater: An Anthology of Plays. New York: Columbia UP, 1998. Print.
“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them - that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like” (Lau Tzu). Born into a life of noodles and relaxation Po, a chubby panda, always wanted to be a Kung Fu master. Out of nowhere an opportunity arises to have his dream become reality. Po, like any normal panda snatches up this once in a lifetime opportunity and runs with it. But when the going gets tough, he doesn’t know if this is the life he was meant to live. While the film was meant for enjoyment, DreamWorks has incorporated clear examples of the three major Chinese Schools of Thought: Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism.
I believe that universally, theater is the concentration of passing down history, whether factual or mythical, to future generations paired with various degrees of artistic dignity. Like many other staged performances, the root of Noh is based off of a storytelling tradition, enhanced or exaggerated to be viewed by a wider audience. In the end, it was supposed to be somewhat entertaining, the viewer perhaps receiving a more dramatic interpretation of a past tale accompanied by dance, music, and visuals. In general, another characteristic not as significant from the original literatures and stories that seeps its way into Noh are the religious undertones and shrinking the distance between the world of the living and the world of spirits. In Zeami’s Atsumori, the play concerns characters from a scene in a probably already overdramatic depiction in Heike Monogatari, bringing in a single frame from Japanese military history into a different context. Sumidagawa has a slightly different way of coming into existence, since it does not depend so heavily on an exact picture from Ise Monogatari, and is only loosely associated with it. Nevertheless, both Atsumori and Sumidagawa have interesting ties to literature from earlier periods that make each unique in their presentation.
The exact origins of Jujitsu are unclear, as most of its history was passed on in the oral tradition. The few early written references show that its origins date back to Japanese mythology, where it is said that the gods, Kajima and Kadori, used Jujitsu to discipline the lawless and wild inhabitants of the Eastern provinces. Therefore, by definition, the art is nearly 2000 years old, however records do exist which show that the art was being practiced as far back as the 8th Century, over twelve hundred years ago. Jujitsu was formalised and most popular during the Edo period of Japan. This was the era of the Samurai. Jujitsu was the Samurai’s main set of combat techniques, after the sword. Jujitsu was a part of the Samurai’s fighting skills, something he could use when he was unable to use his favourite weapon.
Theatre Journal 37.4 (1985): 426-439. Print. Wheeler, Kip. " Literary Terms and Definitions M." Literary Terms and Definitions "M" Carson-Newman University, n.d. Web. 12 May 2014.
Throughout the film ancient China’s profound history and glorious culture has displayed through various cultural elements. The martial arts, writing system, architecture all together gives an image of the Chinese culture. The developments and advanced techniques have shaped the country and stabilized the society. China has accomplished some of the greatest achievements of mankind. It had also made significant contribution to the development of advanced systems around the world. Chinese culture is very unique. All the elements presented in the film have truly strengthened my understanding of the Chinese
Japan is known for its unique gardening style, their diverse plants, their food, and their beautifully woven tapestries. Yet, most do not know about the history of their drama. Japanese Noh theatre is one of the most precise and prestigious art forms. It has been this way since the fourteenth century when Zeami first created Noh theatre. Zeami’s most famous plays, such as Kinuta, are still performed today. Japanese drama has not changed much since the fourteenth century because it has made a lasting effect on the culture. Noh theatre had a major influence on fourteenth century Japan and has affected modern day drama.
Chinese Opera is one of the “three oldest dramatic art forms in the world” , along with “Greece tragic-comedy and Indian Sanskrit” (China). From Chinese Opera comes many forms of opera, over 300 types , but the most well known is the Peking Opera (China). The Peking Opera is known by many names, like “Eastern Opera” (history), and “jingqiang” (Xu), but the most common name in the Western world is the “Beijing Opera” (Wertz).
Chinese music is described as a unique form of art. Even today, the Modern Chinese music has a Western Modern Music style. The music has it's own characteristics and is very much distinct.
Peking Opera is over 200 years old (Wertz).It started in approximately “1790, when four opera troupes from the province of Anhui came to Beijing to perform on the occasion of the 80th birthday of the emperor, Qianlong” (HISTORY, Xu). It was originally performed in “open air, teahouses or temple courtyards” (Wertz). Peking Opera is a blend of “singing, reading, acting, fighting, and dancing” (ebeijing).”Today as in the past century, performers are first trained in acrobatics, followed by singing and acting” (Wertz).