joe yang
14th July 2001, 18:24
Is anyone possibly familiar with Ihai, Japanese sword theater? It is a form of Sarugaku, Japanese street theater. It was at its peek in the middle ages, 1300's to 1500's. Today it is referenced in works on Noh and Kabuki, but generally regarded as a "lost" art. My research into related forms in China and Korea suggest that Ihai may have survived into the early 20th century in rural pockets of Japan, at least in memory.
In brief, Ihai is a dramatic presentation of "sword tricks" mixed with illusions. In fact there is a small body of sword tricks in the general arcana of magic and illusions. What elevates the Japanese form is the inclusion of escapes and the very austere presentation of early Noh drama.
What I am looking for is personal or antecdotal recollection of any kind of sword stunts. To date I have found it possible to "deconstruct" some pretty farfetched stunts to recreate some pretty dramatic theater. Anything would help.
In brief, Ihai is a dramatic presentation of "sword tricks" mixed with illusions. In fact there is a small body of sword tricks in the general arcana of magic and illusions. What elevates the Japanese form is the inclusion of escapes and the very austere presentation of early Noh drama.
What I am looking for is personal or antecdotal recollection of any kind of sword stunts. To date I have found it possible to "deconstruct" some pretty farfetched stunts to recreate some pretty dramatic theater. Anything would help.