Japanese Theater
UNC-Chapel Hill, Spring 2007

 Date
 Schedule of activities, assignments, and discussion topics
 Jan. 11
 Introduction to class;
discussion topic: "Geisha, Princess, Pop Star: Japan Miscast?," explores representations of Japan by Zhang Zhiyi, Gwen Stefani, Princess Masako

Jan. 16
Madame Butterfly
Readings: "The Flight of the Japanese Butterfly" by Mari Yoshihara on BBsite: Download and read Madame Butterfly.
Jan. 18
Visit to class by artist Iona Rozeal Brown (U.S.)
Jan. 23
Visit to class by Director Ong Keng Sen (Singapore)
Jan. 25
Bunraku:  Japanese Puppet Theater
Readings:  "Elements of Performance," 303-313; The Battles of Coxinga in  Traditional Japanese Theater
Essay One due today
Jan. 30
Meet at the Ackland Art Museum to view geisha & Kabuki woodblock prints

About woodblock prints: http://kenkyuu.jpn.univie.ac.at/karikaturen/
Feb. 1
Bunraku (continued)  SNOW DAY: CLASS CANCELLED
Readings:The Love Suicides at Amijima in  Traditional Japanese Theater
View Bunraku: Masters of Japanese Puppet Theater (DVD-1261).
Feb. 6 Bunraku (continued)  (Continue with our planned schedule of readings; adjustedon 2/20)
Readings:The Love Suicides at Amijima in  Traditional Japanese Theater
View Bunraku: Masters of Japanese Puppet Theater (DVD-1261).
Feb. 8 Kabuki
ReadingsShunkan on Devil Island and The Yotsuya Ghost Stories in Traditional Japanese Theater
"Ichikawa Danjūr
ō XI:  A Life in Kabuki" by Samuel Leiter on BB site
Feb. 13
Kabuki
ReadingsThe Hamatsuya Scene and The Maiden at Dōjōji in Traditional Japanese Theaterand "Flowers of Edo: 18th century Kabuki and its Patrons" by Andrew Gerstle, BBsite.
Hand in short description of term paper /presentation project

Feb. 15
Wrap-up discussion of Kabuki plays and Gerstle article
Feb. 20
First Midterm Examination today

Feb. 22
New Women and Modern actresses (1910s)
Reading:  Acting like a Woman, Chp. 1
View: Portrait of an Onnagata (DVD-1255)

Feb. 27
Reading:  Acting like a Woman, Chps. 2, & 3
Mar. 1
Reading:  Acting like a Woman, Chp. 7

Mar. 6
Essay Two due today
Acting like a Woman, Chp. 8 & Epilogue

Mar. 8
Takarazuka Theater
View 1994 documentary Dream Girls on Takarazuka all-women's theater.

Mar. 13-15
   Spring Break
Mar. 20
Special Lecture!  Prof. Yoko Haruhara, Temple University Japan
Our visitor from Tokyo will discuss Japanese literature and art.  Note room and time change:  NEW WEST 219. 4:00-5:30pm
Mar. 22
No class today so that you can work on your term papers--DUE April 17th
Mar. 27
Takarazuka Theater
Reading:Takarazuka: Sexual Politics and Popular Culture in Modern Japan, Intro & Chp. 1
View clip from Takarazuka's performances of Gone With the Wind and Rose of Versailles
Mar. 29
Takarazuka Theater
Reading:Takarazuka, Chp. 2 & Chp. 3
Essay Three due today
Apr. 3
Kyōgen Theater
Readings: Read all the kyôgen plays in Traditional Japanese Theater, pps. 226-291.  They're short, funny, and easy to read. Design costumes for one of the plays that update them for a contemporary audience. If you can't draw, cut out photographs from a newspaper or magazine.  Be able to explain your design concept for the play.  Bring your design to class today.
Apr. 5
Kyōgen Theater
Write your own three-page kyôgen play but use a contemporary American setting.  Plays are graded on how well the author understands and employs the main elements of kyôgen. Have fun with this one!  Volunteers will ask others to read their plays.
Apr. 10
Noh Theater
"Elements of Performance," 115-125; Plays: Atsumori, Izutsu, Miidera, 126-178; all of  these are in Traditional Japanese Theater.
Apr. 12
Noh Theater
No reading today so you can finish your research paper.  We will view clips from Japanese films featuring scenes from Noh plays.
Apr. 17
Noh Theater
Plays: Dôjôji, Yamamba, 193-225 in Traditional Japanese Theater.
Mask assignment:  Make two masks--one for the maiden of  Dôjôji, one for when she becomes a monster--and bring these to class today. Here are masks made by UNC-CH students in 2003.
Apr. 19
Student Group Presentations:  Yoko Ono & 1960s Happenings;
Write student evaluations of the course;  Any last questions about the research paper?
Apr. 24 Student Group Presentations:  3:30pm: Geisha & Tea Ceremony;  4:00pm: Hip-Hop in Japan;    4:45pm:  Video Games

Apr. 26 Student Group Presentations: 3:30pm: Kabuki;  4:00pm: Anime;  4:45pm: Sports as Theater
Student research papers due today
Note: If you'd like to make up a class you missed, you can get one-class attendance credit by attending both the presentations given at 4:45pm (4/24 & 4/26)
May 1
 Final examination.   In our usual classroom, 4:00-6:00pm.  You will turn in a take-home essay and take a short test on Kyōgen and Noh plays.