num_pages: 378
description: The Flowering Spirit is a new translation of Fushikaden, the fifteenth-century classic text by Zeami, founder of the No theater. Written sometime between 1400 and 1418, Fushikaden became a secret, sought-after guide to life for Zeami's acting troupe. Even 200 years later, the only people with access to this work were actors and the samurai class. Not until the latter part of the 19th century did Fushikaden gradually begin to make its way into the hands of the general public. Although Fushikaden is about No drama, Zeami incorporates into his text his philosophical outlook on the art of life - "the way" - and how one goes about living according to these principles, providing invaluable teachings on the aesthetics and spiritual culture of Japan. No was the art form of choice for the samurai class; and many of its principles echo those of martial arts. Zeami brought his wide-ranging education in Zen Buddhism, his knowledge of classical Japanese poetry, and his exposure to the aristocratic lifestyle to his writing of this classic work. Why should a modern reader read The Flowering Spirit? No drama encapsulates all aspects of Japanese culture-from its sensitivity, to its spirituality (Shinto, Buddhism), to its literary culture, and finally to its warrior culture. The work explains how actors should approach their craft, but also how to approach life. Reading The Flowering Spirit will offer unique insight into the soul of Japan from an utterly unique perspective. William Scott Wilson has contributed several important adjunct pieces to Zeami's classic work -- an Introduction about the history of No drama, copious notes explaining the background of the book, an appendix containing a translation of one of Zeami's greatest plays Atsumori, and an Afterword that connects No drama with the warrior class. Wilson's impeccable translation adds fluidity to Zeami's writing that has never before been accomplished in English.
language: French
title: La Tradition secrète du nô
titlecomplete: La Tradition secrète du nô
genres: Theatre, 14th Century, Plays, Philosophy, Japan, Japanese Literature, 15th Century, Nonfiction, Art
ratings_count: 129
publisher: GALLIMARD