The image of the Yujo (Japanese prostitute/entertainer) in a selection of medieval texts with a focus on the No play Eguchi
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| Language: | English |
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The Ohio State University / OhioLINK
1998
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| Online Access: | http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1302109627 |
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ndltd-OhioLink-oai-etd.ohiolink.edu-osu13021096272021-08-03T06:02:13Z The image of the Yujo (Japanese prostitute/entertainer) in a selection of medieval texts with a focus on the No play Eguchi Sava, Minae Yamamoto <p>This thesis explores how the image of a <i>yūjo</i> (prostitute/entertainer) in medieval Japan is transformed in Zeami's Nō play <i>Eguchi</i>, in the playwright's reworking of two well-known stories.</p><p>To shed light on the protagonist of <i>Eguchi</i>, Chapter One of this study discusses the origins of the term <i>yūjo</i>, as well as various Japanese terms for prostitution. This chapter also explains the <i>yūjo's</i> double identity as both professional entertainer and prostitute, and the quality of their existence, debased yet sacred.</p><p>Chapter Two examines two legends found in collections of short narratives, or <i>setsuwa</i>, on which <i>Eguchi</i> is probably based. One episode tells of poetic exchanges between the eminent monk-poet, Saigyō (1118-1190) and a brothel mistress named Tae, or the Lady of Eguchi (<i>Eguchi no kimi</i>). Saigyō accused her of begrudging him a "temporary" lodging, while in reply, her poetry revealed the wit and depth of the reasoning behind her refusal. The second episode is about a <i>yūjo</i> who was a manifestation of the bodhisattva Fugen. The venerable monk Shōkū (1177-1247) had a dream in which he was told that there was a brothel mistress who was the bodhisattva Fugen. He visited the mistress and saw her transform into Fugen and rise into the sky.</p><p>Chapter Three discusses the style of the prototypical <i>mugen</i> Nō, and then the style and themes of the play <i>Eguchi</i>. This chapter also explores how the play exploits Buddhist overtones to portray the Eguchi lady and how the revisions made by Zeami bring out a central theme of the play, the falsity of dualistic thinking. The play depicts the consubstantial nature of the <i>yūjo</i> and the bodhisattva Fugen. Those who would distinguish between a <i>yūjo</i> as a debased person and a bodhisattva as a holy one are confounded by Zeami's treatment of the protagonist as both <i>yūjo</i> and bodhisattva. This unenlightened, dualistic state of mind is represented by the <i>waki</i>, or the supporting actor, in the beginning of the play. When the <i>waki</i> is brought to realize that there is no world outside of this world, no difference between a layman and a holy man, he is at last able to see the <i>yūjo</i> for the bodhisattva she is.</p> 1998 English text The Ohio State University / OhioLINK http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1302109627 http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1302109627 unrestricted This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws. |
| collection |
NDLTD |
| language |
English |
| sources |
NDLTD |
| author |
Sava, Minae Yamamoto |
| spellingShingle |
Sava, Minae Yamamoto The image of the Yujo (Japanese prostitute/entertainer) in a selection of medieval texts with a focus on the No play Eguchi |
| author_facet |
Sava, Minae Yamamoto |
| author_sort |
Sava, Minae Yamamoto |
| title |
The image of the Yujo (Japanese prostitute/entertainer) in a selection of medieval texts with a focus on the No play Eguchi |
| title_short |
The image of the Yujo (Japanese prostitute/entertainer) in a selection of medieval texts with a focus on the No play Eguchi |
| title_full |
The image of the Yujo (Japanese prostitute/entertainer) in a selection of medieval texts with a focus on the No play Eguchi |
| title_fullStr |
The image of the Yujo (Japanese prostitute/entertainer) in a selection of medieval texts with a focus on the No play Eguchi |
| title_full_unstemmed |
The image of the Yujo (Japanese prostitute/entertainer) in a selection of medieval texts with a focus on the No play Eguchi |
| title_sort |
image of the yujo (japanese prostitute/entertainer) in a selection of medieval texts with a focus on the no play eguchi |
| publisher |
The Ohio State University / OhioLINK |
| publishDate |
1998 |
| url |
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1302109627 |
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