The Life of Zeami
Zeami Kannon (owned by the museum)
Kitamura Seibo, a representative sculptor of the Showa era (his masterpiece is the Nagasaki Peace Memorial Statue)
It is said to be the last work of his life.
1363
(2nd year of Joji)
Born as the son of Kan'ami, a tayu of the Yamato Sarugaku troupe.
1375
(First year of the Eiwa era)
When Kannami and Zeami performed Noh at Imakumano in Kyoto, the Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu came to watch. He took a liking to Zeami, who was 13 years old at the time, and he came to take him under his patronage.
1384
(First year of the Shitoku era)
When he was 22 years old, Kannami passed away at the age of 52.
1398
(5th year of Oei)
Zeami's younger brother, Shiro's son Motoshige, is born. He is adopted as the successor, but three years later his own child is born (Motomasa).
Later, Motoshige became independent, took the name Otoami, and established his own base.
1408
(15th year of the Oei era)
At the age of 46, Yoshimitsu Ashikaga, who had been under his protection, died.
When Ashikaga Yoshinori became Shogun, Zeami was treated coldly by Yoshinori and his field of activity was narrowed down, partly because Yoshinori favored Otoami.
1432
(4th year of Eikyo )
His successor, Motomasa, dies in Ise.
1434
(6th year of Eikyo)
At the age of 72, he was exiled to Sado by Ashikaga Yoshinori.
Not much is known about what happened to him after that, and his age at death is unclear.
It is said that he passed away at the age of 81.
Zeami's Legacy
"Fushikaden"
A theoretical book on Nohgaku written based on the teachings of his father, Kannami
It is said that the name was chosen to liken Noh to "a flower that catches the wind and speaks from heart to heart."
Zeami pursued the concept of "flowers" throughout his life.
Zeami's idea of "flowers" has profound meanings such as beauty, charm, and interest.
"If it's kept secret, it's a flower. If it's not kept secret, it's not a flower."
(Fushikaden)
Zeami also wrote, "Flowers, curiosity, and rarity are the same thing," and that flowers, curiosity, and rarity are the same thing, and because flowers wither, we feel a sense of rarity when they bloom.
It is precisely because they are hiding secrets that they can evoke emotion when revealed.
"A home is not a home. A home is what you inherit."
(Fushikaden)
An arts house is not just a house that continues on one side.
It is a family of arts because the family's arts are properly passed down.
Just because he is the heir to the family doesn't mean he is the heir to the arts.
A person who understands the art is a member of the art world.
"Practice hard, but do not be sincere."
(Fushikaden)
Sincerity is a rigid and stubborn heart
Training must be done with a strict and thorough attitude.
We must not allow our minds to become rigid and complacent.
"A flower should be known for the things it can hold."
(Fushikaden)
Flowers are useful at any given time
"Flowers" refer to a complex concept of beauty, charm, and entertainment, and it is important to present a performance that is appropriate to the audience's tastes and the situation.
"Never forget your original intention"
(Flower mirror)
This continues: "You must not forget your original intention. You must not forget your original intention of right or wrong. You must not forget your original intention from time to time. You must not forget your original intention in old age." Your original intention exists not only at the beginning of things, but also at each stage, even in old age, and you must not forget this.