Noh theater family

Author: Tachihara Masaki
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-05-01
Features: The World of Noh is one of the "newspaper serial novels" created by the author in the early 1970s. The work follows the life journey of the protagonist, depicting a tragic story of a Noh family's rise and fall. The protagonist, Tachihara Michio, is the legitimate inheritor of the Tachihara Noh school. In his middle years, his artistic skills reach a level of perfection, yet his spirit grows increasingly hollow. He first engages in a disreputable relationship with the girlfriend of his younger sister-in-law, Kudo Shitsuko, and later consorts with his sister-in-law, Tachihara Riku, ultimately leading to his downfall. Tachihara Riku's father, Tachihara Zenju, is a master of Noh, who highly appreciates his disciple Tachihara Michio and later takes him into the family as his son-in-law. Tachihara Riku is very traditional, with a strong sense of preserving the Noh family legacy. She has always supported her husband's career and hoped he would contribute to the Tachihara Noh school, ensuring the continuation of the family line. However, the sexual misconduct between her husband and sister brings a devastating blow to the Noh family, leaving even the strong-willed Tachihara Riku unable to escape the tragic fate. The work interweaves the life stories and destinies of Tachihara Riku and her two younger sisters, showcasing the rise and fall of the Noh family from different perspectives.