Insights into Japanese aesthetics and theatrical arts
Focus on books by Prof. Sunanda Mahendra
 ARTS: Over a period, extending to at least three decades, an
active interest is shown on various literary and creative aspects of
Japanese literature regarding the Japanese theatrical arts especially as
a result of the innovative approach of the late Professor Edirivira
Sarachchandra in his own creative process of deriving influence from the
theatrical sources such as Noh and Kabuki.
He also wrote two novels gaining creative inspiration from his
experience in Japan. He also mentioned that much could be transformed
via creative influence from the Japanese literary sources, when he was
at a time flounced by the contemporary elderly critics of the day.
Since then a few types of Professor Ariya Rajakaruna have appeared on
the literary scene with the knowledge in the language and the host of
the translations. Over the years these sprang up enriching undoubtedly
the cross-cultural link extending the barriers of narrow inspiration
from the English translations of Japanese works.
This also helped the younger generation the university academia of
the calibre of Professor Kulatilaka Kumarasinghe get the cue to study
the Japanese language and visit the country for further studies leading
to a better exposure specializing in Japanese aesthetic theories and the
creative elements as embedded in Japanese classical and folk theatre,
one of the most significant subject areas that has not been tapped by
any other scholar of our times.
Professor Kumarasinghe has devoted most of his time from his duties
as the Dean of the Humanities Faculty, for the introduction of aspects
of Japanese theatrical studies and the translation of Japanese literary
works into Sinhala and theories pertaining to Japanese literary sources.
He has been a recipient of the state literary award for research
several times for this effort. The latest to come from him is titled
Japan Sambhavya Sahitya Samkalpa Saha Natya Kalava (Japanese Classical
Literary Concepts and the Theatre (Godage 2007).
Aesthetic theories
In this research, he outlines 18 episodic chapters each linking to
the other, the literary periods, the sources and their background, and
aesthetic theories varying from time to time in relation to the social
and cultural impacts introducing the salient schools of thought and
creativity of classical and folk theatrical categories with an eye to
help the student of Japanese literary sources to gather more minute and
up-to-date information and knowledge on the subject.
He outlines these periods in the literary history of Japan as
ancient, pre-medieval, medieval, post-medieval, near medieval and the
modern times where the aesthetic theories have changed in keeping with
the changes in the social milieu. Then he examines the various aspects
of prose and verse works with his own translations with a parallel
Japanese text.
This aspect of the work makes the reader feel as if he reads the
original in a better manner transcending the alien attitude. Professor
Kumarasinghe then extends his work to theatrical genres in order to lay
down the significant periods of literary activities such as the history
of theatre belonging to the genres signified as Nogaku, Noh, Tokugava,
Bunraku, and Kabuki providing examples for each category with a view to
impart the theatrical and creative significance of the works referring
to the performer styles, theatrical structures forms, and the human
experiences as creative content with their changing formats intermixed
with music and dance forms.
He also presents the changing attitudes of the theatre audiences and
the manner in which the forms helped to build a sensitive rapport
elevating the taste for theatre craft.
Wherever possible the scholar draws attention to the reader via
illustrations, pinpointing the stage and theatrical forms, where the
dramatic experiences are fused with the stage patterns over the years.
One of the most significant factors in this work is the presentation
of play texts as translations and as a reader I found that they are
fascinating readable materials that could well be utilized in classroom
theatre training workshop, which is a must in our social context.
Theatrical culture
Though we have an annual State Drama Festival we hardly have a
recognized theatre school where the main objective should be to build a
theatre culture. Here a number of students could be lined up to take the
theatre craft more seriously than it exists today in its rudimentary
forms giving vent to more individualistic ways in the name of
experimentalism.
In the bleak scene of the local theatrical activities, this attempt,
on the part of a university don, should be commended especially as the
work formulates two main streams: the aesthetic theories, and the works
needed for practical training.
This work could be used not merely as a research work that could be
read to uncover information, but also as a handbook for the
understanding of Japanese playwriting and creativity that has gone to
enrich a particular theatrical culture over the years.
The theatre trainers could use the play scripts translated in this
work as communication material as well as visualize how well the
folklore traits in a particular culture could enhance the vibrant
creativity in various forms utilizing all aesthetic forms such as music,
dance, mime, masks, etc.
Kindling an interest in the mind of the student as to the extent of
theatrical influence one can gain from one culture to another. A
representative cross section of the types of plays written for the
original productions are displayed in this work enabling the teacher as
well as the student to gauge the changing structures of theatre.
There are eight short plays included as translations from the Kyogen
genre of theatre tradition. These eight plays could be understood, read,
performed and interpreted as either fantasies or realistic creations
depending on the interpretation. The plays titled Komadu Hora (Melon
Thief) Dontaro and Vasa (Poison) could be cited as best examples drawn
from the more modern times of Japanese theatre tradition.
This work provides manifold insights to the study of Japanese theatre
with its base lying in aesthetics.
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