Karen Brazell is a professor in the department of East Asian Studies at Cornell University and is the winner of the National Book Award for her translation of The Confessions of Lady Nijo. She is also editor of Twelve Plays of the No and Kyogen Theaters, and coauthor, with Monica Bethe, of No as Performance and the three-volume Dance in the No Theater.

A compact introduction, rich variety of fine translations of representative plays, detailed stage directions, and extensive photographs make this an ideal teacher's tool...This is not only a fine anthology, but the only anthology of its kind. -- Jonah Salz The Journal of Asian Studies A collection of translations of traditional Japanese plays that will become the standard textbook for courses on Japanese theater. A compact introduction, rich variety of fine translations of representative plays, detailed stage directions, and extensive photographs make this an ideal teacher's tool. -- Jonah Salz The Journal of Asian Studies Promises to become a classic. The Drama Review

• Part I. An Introduction to Traditional Japanese Theater Japanese Theater: A Living Tradition Historical Perspectives General Characteristics The Stages Four Figures of the Thunder God: The Major Genres Noh: Kamo Kyogen: Thunderbolt Kabuki: "Saint Narukami Scene" Bunraku: "Mount Tenpai" and "Tumult in the Palace" Part II. The Noh and Kyogen Theaters Elements of Performance Noh Plays Atsumori, by by Zeami Izutsu, by by Zeami Miidera Shunkan Dok oki Yamamba, by by Zeami Kyogen Plays Two Daimyo Delicious Poison Mushrooms The Snail Sickly Stomach Kanoaka Cicada Other Traditions: Kowaka, by Kurokawa Noh, Mibu Kyogen Kowaka verison of Atsumori Part III. The Puppet and Kabuki Theaters Elements of Performance Plays from the Bunraku Puppet Theater "The Beach at Hirado" and "The Bamboo Forest of a Thousand Languages, by " by Chikamatsu Amijima, by by Chikamatsu "Travel Scene" by Izumo II, by Shoraku, and Senryu "Farmhouse Scene" from Chushingura The Awaji Puppet Tradition Sambaso The Miracle of the Tsubosaka Kannon Plays from the Kabuki Theater "Shunkan: The Devil Island Scene" by Chikamatsu "Suma Bay" by Senryu Yotsuya Ghost Stories, Act Three "The Hamamatsuya Scene" Musumu Dojoji