Japanese Noh dancers arranging costume

Christ's Resurrection - The subject of a Japanese classical dance performed for the time in history.: Revolutionary departure for Tokyo's 500- year old classical Noh dances is being performed this year. A 30-minute dance depicting, or symbolising Christ's Resurrection, takes place in a setting supposed to represent Dawn before the grave of Jesus'. As in all Noh dances, the dancers wear masks, and the one representing Christ has been specially prepared by the new Christian Noh Committee which intends sending replicas to Queen Elizabeth II, the Pope, and the President of the USA. The Noh dance is difficult for a Westerner to appreciate and is the most classical form of Japanese drama. It is characterised by subtle restraint, and yet depicts the deepest emotions. In its simplest essentials it consists of a dance preceded by a dialogue explaining its significance. The dancer is called a shite or doer, and the subordinate characters who do the explaining are called Waki'. There is a chorus of seven or eight who chant from the side of the stage to the music and flute, two hand drums and a stick drum. The stage is built to strict rules measuring 18 feet square with curved roof. On the rear wall a pine tree is painted, and the other three sides are open. The chorus sits on the right and the changing room. Japanese Noh dancers perform Christian Easter dance: In the dressing room the principal dancer or Shite is attired in the specially made robes symbolising Christ. On the head is being placed a crown. The anonymous dancer holds his mask in place while adjustments are made by the waki or assistant

Restrictions Only for United Kingdom

30-minute Adjustments Appreciate Attired Changing Chant Characterised Chorus Consist Curved Dances Deepest Depicts Dialogue Difficult Doer Emotions Essentials Explaining Flute Intends Masks Measuring Placed Preceded Prepared Replicas Represent Representing Restraint Resurrection Rules Sending Shite Significance Simplest Specially Strict Subordinate Subtle Supposed Symbolising Tokyos Westerner

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