Muromachi Period (jan 1, 1338 – jan 1, 1573)
Description:
The period began when Ashikaga Takauji became shogun in 1338. This period was economically and artistically innovative.
The Ashikaga period is considered on of the darkest political times in Japan's history. In other areas, the period was one of excitement and growth. The period was especially economically and artistically innovative.
The tea ceremony and flower arranging were fully developed during the Ashikaga period.
Two classical forms of Japanese drama, noh and kyogen, developed during this period too.
Noh is a musical dance drama where the characters wear masks. It usually features a meeting of a troubled spirit and either a priest or other mortal. Noh is danced more than acted, accompanied by a chorus, as well as flute and drum music.
Shorter kyogen plays were performed between different noh dramas. Kyogen translates to "man and wild words". These comic plays featured provincial bumpkins in the capital, servants who were smarter than their master, and other light-hearted themes.
Zen monks of the Ashikaga period, especially those who resided in five great protected Kyoto temples, were the intellectual elite of the time. They were skilled in classical Chinese and were protected by the state. They even developed a genre of prose and poetry written in classical Chinese.
Added to timeline:
History of Japan 【日本のれきし】
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