Osaka Culture Highlights
Traditional Culture
The Traditional Performing Arts of Osaka
During the Edo period, as Japan experienced a relatively calm time, various popular cultures flourished in the cities of Edo, Kyoto, and Osaka. Dancing and acting, as well as Noh and Kyogen for the samurai class, were appreciated as colorful entertainment. From these, a large number of masterpieces appeared that remain well known today.
Timeless Works and their Authors
Ihara Saikaku and Chikamatsu Monzaemon, who were both active in Osaka and wrote human dramas that touched many hearts, are often compared to Shakespeare as writers in modern literature.
Ihara Saikaku
Born in 1642, Ihara Saikaku was a contemporary of the haiku poet Matsuo Basho. He studied under Nishiyama Soin, who was the key person in Osaka’s haiku circles at that time. He began his career as a haiku poet, and held the record of writing as many as 20,000 haiku verses in one day. Later on, as a novelist, he wrote books, called Soshi, which focused on various topics that reflected the thoughts and wisdom of the people. His view of the world makes him a pioneer of modern literature.
Chikamatsu Monzaemon
Born in 1653, the Joruri writer Chikamatsu Monzaemon collaborated with Takemoto Gidayu and Takeda Izumo to build the foundation of the Bunraku (Joruri is the dramatic narration and shamisen accompaniment of the Bunraku puppet theater) and, indeed, his works are still widely appreciated today. Chikamatsu wrote many Joruri scripts both for jidaimono, reflecting on the aristocrat and the warrior society before the Edo period, and for sewamono, portraying the emotions of townsmen and tragic love stories. He also worked on kabuki scripts that are still attracting many people in film and stage.
Noh: Transcending the Subtle Beauty of Yugen
A discussion of traditional Japanese performing arts cannot be complete without first mentioning Noh. The precursors of Noh were in Sarugaku (mimicking performance), drawing from Chinese theater, which developed into Noh during the Muromachi Period. The plays and methods of presentation were polished and improved by Kanami and his son Zeami between the middle of 13th and the 14th centuries. Noh expresses the fantastic world and its dramatic performances hold the highest position in Japanese traditional performing arts. Kyogen, performed between Noh performances, is dialogue comedy and are also popular today.
Enjoying Traditional Performing Arts Today, Bunraku can be enjoyed at the National Bunraku Theatre in Nippombashi, and Kabuki can be viewed at Shochikuza Theater in Dotombori. Noh and Kyogen can be seen at the Osaka Nogaku Kaikan in Nakazakinishi in Umeda and at Otsuki Seiinkai Nogakudo on Uemachisuji. From spring to autumn, outdoor Takigi Noh performances by bonfire light can be enjoyed at various places throughout the city.