The noh theater of Japan dates back to the 14th century, and was supported by both the imperial aristocracy and samurai military classes. When modernization radically changed Japanese society in the late 19th century, noh lost its elite patronage but sought broader public audiences. The artist Tsukioka Kôgyo (1869-1927) was an important promoter of this traditional form of theater, and created over 500 woodblock prints in a 30 year period depicting famous actors and scenes from plays. Scripps College has more than 150 Kôgyo prints, as well as many works by other artists, some depicting the same scenes in different ways. This exhibition is in conjunction with two Scripps Core Humanities Seminars and with the “Arts of Japan” survey course.
Also on display are selections of Japanese cloisonné from the private collection Anthony Elias and Patricia Lords Ghosn, of Upland, Calif., and of the Worldbridge Foundation. Objects have been chosen to complement the prints.
For further information concerning this exhibition, please contact Professor Bruce Coats.