A Brief Talk On The Similarities And Differences Between The Chinese Chuanqi Of The Ming Dynasty And The Japanese Yokyoku

The Chinese Chuanqi of the Ming Dynasty and the JapaneseYokyoku are produced in similar time, but they are very differentbecause of their distinct geographical environment, historybackgrounds and national values. However, on the other hand, sincethey both belong to oriental dramas, they have some similarities innarration and performance. Ming Chuanqi was gradually formedafter the fusions of southern dramas of the Song and Yuan Dynastyand north Zaju. Most scholars now believe that the Japanese Noh isgreatly influenced by Zaju of the Yuan Dynasty.“Golden MilletDream” is a story that appeared early in China and Japan and hadremarkable influences on Chinese and Japanese dramas, a factwhich is represented by Tang Xianzu’s Handan Dream of MingDynasty and Japanese Yokyoku Handan. The author hopes to studythese two drama modes by appreciating and analyzing the artisticcreation of the Handan dramas in Ming Chuanqi and Japanese Yokyoku, trying to discuss the generalities and individualities ofMing Chuanqi and Japanese Yokyoku.First, this paper tracks and examines the origin of HandanDream. It analyzes the two periods that the Handan dramadeveloped into Ming Chuanqi and Japanese Yokyoku as well as thechanges during that time. Besides, this paper discusses thesimilarities and differences of the two “Dynasty of Handan Dreams”with examples from the cultural background of Ming Dynasty andJapanese Middle Age. Then, from details, this paper shows thesimilarities and differences of Ming Chuanqi Handan Dream andJapanese Yokyoku Handan by comparing their plots, characters andphilosophical thoughts. The plot in Ming Chuanqi Handan Dream ismore complicated and emphasizes the details while JapaneseYokyoku Handan is concise and profound. The characters in MingChuanqi Handan Dream are numerous and have differentpersonalities while in Japanese Yokyoku Handan the characters arefewer and highlight the protagonist. Ming Chuanqi Handan Dream ismarked with Wang Yangming and Lu Xiangshan’s mind-philosophythoughts while Japanese Yokyoku Handan shows some Zenthoughts. An obvious difference is that the former is scholar dramaand the latter is warrior drama. Ming Chuanqi Handan Dreamdescribes the protagonist Lusheng’s official career which is the common pursuit of the traditional Chinese scholars andintellectuals. Unlike Handan Dream, Japanese Yokyoku Handandoes not use the same Chinese style, but focuses on Lusheng’sspiritual pursuit.The different aesthetic conceptions of the Chinese and theJapanese have big influence on creating Handan Dream and Handanas well. They have same aesthetic forms of obvious dramaticnarrative modes, following the extreme stylized standards in allaspects. However, they have different aesthetic trends. MingChuanqi pursues harmony and unity while Yokyoku stresses moreon parting thoughts. The Chinese common aesthetic ideal is theritual of Confucianism. Chinese Chuanqis combine rite and music,expressing the best wishes with writings and pursuing a happyending. The Japanese have more passionate on trivial things andquiet and distant feelings.