Introduction: “Katari” (Story-telling) and Theatre

Abstract

“Katari” holds an important function in the traditional Japanese theatre. But the word could be rendered into English as story-telling, narrative, narration, or even monologue. In fact, “katari” has been used in different senses on different occasions, and thus the discussion on “katari” has often become confusing in the theatre scholarship in Japan.

In this special issue on “Katari and Theatre” we examine the various functions of “katari” in theatre, both Western and Japanese, traditional and modern. We hope that nine articles and one research note included here will make some contribution to the future discussion on “katari” in general.