Traditional Performance and Education

Abstract

The author of the present paper, a Joruri and Kabuki scholar, once participated in a session of learning Gidayu-bushi (joruri chanting) under a professional master of Joruri. The master's teaching method was almost incomprehensible for new comers; he neither explained the structure of the Joruri text nor the meaning of words. All he wanted us to do is to imitate his phrase by phrase chanting as precisely as possible.

However, in the course of this monotonous repetition, the author happened to have a rare moment, where the whole meaning of the Gidayu story became clear.

The teaching style of Japanese traditional performance can be characterized by this sort of lack of objectiveness. However this does not mean that the discipline is bound to a rigid stylization. Teaching of traditional arts (Keiko) is not thought of as a step toward a higher goal; it stands on its own and should be practiced for its own sake. The teaching of traditional performance arts should be further investigated from this perspective.