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Terayama's Jashumon

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 December 2021

Extract

Tenjo Sajiki, which is one of Japan's most famous experimental theatre troupes, was founded in 1967 by Shuji Terayama, the chief director and playwright of the troupe. During the Summer of 1971, they toured several European cities with their piece, Jashumon, written and directed by Terayama. The theme of the six-scene play concerns the tragic nature of the family as an institution, which is characteristic of traditional Japanese society. The plot revolves around the enormous emotional and economic interdependence of Yamataro, the son, and Ogin, his aging mother.

What follows is a description of the production of Jashumon, which was presented at the Nancy International Theatre Festival, Nancy, France, on April 28th and 29th, 1971. Shigeo Takenaga assisted Terayama with the direction of the piece. The sets were designed by Ryoichi Enomoto.

Type
Contemporary
Copyright
Copyright © 1972 The Drama Review

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References

The title photograph is of Crazy Baby Sitter, who appears at opening of jashumon wearing a hanaya mask. The photograph was taken by a photographer from Studio JAM, Nancy, France.

1 A biwa is a traditional Japanese stringed instrument. ed.

2 An obiis a wide waistband. Tabi are socks for the feet with the big toe separated from the rest of the toes. ed.

3 Parts of the following quotations are taken from the Tokyo script of Jashumon. ed.

4 A song used in many of the Tenjo Sajiki's productions, ed.