-The demon lurks within everyone-
Akiko Baba is a poet and literary critic from Tokyo. She has a deep knowledge of classical literature and Noh theater, and also creates new Noh plays. She also possesses a deep understanding of folklore.
Anti-establishment and semi-orderly are considered fundamental characteristics of demons.
1. Shinto-related demons
2. Demons of the Yamabushi type
3. Buddhist demons
4 Demons of the demon type
5. Demons of the transformation tale type that are derived from these
We will classify demons into these five categories and explain them from an ethnographic perspective.
While demons are generally depicted as perpetrators against humans in stories, this work reverses that role, portraying demons as victims and empathizing with them. In parallel with the common perception of demons as male, it discusses the demons that reside within the hearts of all humans, starting with Hannya, a representative female demon.
The analysis of the Hannya Noh mask is fascinating, and the author argues that the Hannya mask is an exquisite piece that conveys the destructive emotions of anxiety and fear of that era, visually representing the will of people pushed to their limits.
I started reading this book around the end of February and finally finished it in May. It was an incredibly dense and difficult book to summarize.
First reading completed on 2021/05/08
Well then, goodbye. Take care :)
Author: Akiko Baba; Paperback: 300 pages; Publisher: Chikuma Bunko
comment