Historical Dictionary of Japanese Traditional Theatre

Samuel L. Leiter is Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Theatre, Brooklyn College and the Graduate Center, CUNY. He is the author and/or editor of 26 books on Japanese theatre, New York theatre, the great stage directors, and Shakespeare.

The history, elements, practitioners, and major works of the four major traditional theaters of Japan (nô, kyôgen, kabuki, and bunraku) are thoroughly treated in this exceptional volume. The second edition of an invaluable resource builds upon the excellence of the first, also by the author. As one of the foremost authorities writing on Japanese theater today, Leiter has produced a fine-quality work that will serve multiple disciplines. The entries have been expanded, errors in the first edition corrected, and the chronology of traditional theaters updated, from 1301 to 2013. The volume offers more than 1,500 alphabetical entries; ample cross-references help to aid discovery by those without prior knowledge of the subject. The bibliography is comprehensive, with resources in English suitable for a range of users, from students taking their first drama course to specialists working in the discipline. The volume is readable in every sense—from the quality of writing to the size of the typeface. The writing is aimed at nonspecialists, although scholars also will find much of value here. A greater number of photos to illustrate the entries might have been welcome, but this labor of love should be a part of reference collections in all libraries. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Beginning students and above; general readers and professionals/practitioners.

• Editor’s Foreword Jon WoronoffPreface ChronologyIntroductionTHE DICTIONARYAppendix A: Play Title TranslationsAppendix B: Simplified Table of Japanese Historical PeriodsGlossaryBibliographyAbout the Author