Japanese Doll Kabuki
4/18/13
Dear Roger,
Here is a print of my Japanese doll with the horned flaxen helmet, i finally found it and had to share it with you ( i just hope Im not resending).
The Tale of The Golden Helmet – Yaegakihime
https://www.yaegaki-kai.be/yaegaki-hime/
A kabuki play of a love story set in the midst of rival clans, magical helmets and a princess’s passion to save her beloved. In this tale princess Yaegakihime shines bright as she holds aloft the flaxen haired helmet and soars over the frozen lake to rescue her beloved, see below:
http://www.printsofjapan.com/Yoshitaki_Yaegakihime.htm
Can you see me as the hero of this tale donning the samurai helmet and saving the day?
Love and hugs
Purnima
Date: Thu, Apr 18, 2013
Subject: Japanese theatre: Yaegaki-Hime
Dear Purnima,
I love Japanese prints. They reflect all that I admire about the Japanese culture. However, those two figures in black at the bottom of the print look rather ominous.
More later about your trip(s). I’m thrilled for you that you have been able to do some exciting and unusual traveling.
Hugs,
Roger
4/13/13
Dear Roger,
At this point, I have been working hard to give the story, my story, a story I have been destined to tell, and one I have mentioned many times over in my correspondence with you – The Story of the Knight and The (Siberian) Crane.
You are probably asking why Japanese theatre…well it all started when i recently came in possession of my maternal grandfathers gift of a Japanese doll holding aloft a kabuki mask (at least that is what I think, need to verify).I call it his gift because he died decades ago and I was the apple of his eye, his doll. His story was entwined with Japan, and the Japanese story as he strove to rebuild his life after migrating from Lahore to India, just as Japan rebuilt itself after the war. He visited Japan numerous times and in their ideas, philosophy and culture, I suspect he found a mirror of himself: a hardworking, creative individual who strove to embrace all the progressive ideas of technology and business and yet was a man steeped in tradition.
See below the silver haired Siberian Crane in Japan, my grandfather Jai Dev Shourie reconstructing his world through technology as Japan was reconstructing its own:
For you see this Asian American story is about the flight of a long migratory bird, The Siberian Crane, one which is an integral part of Japanese culture and mythology. I sense my grandfathers hand in presenting this story as one made for the Japanese stage.
Roger, as I attempt to pull the threads of this story together, I would appreciate your support, guidance and advice, for this is an American story, a story for and of my children, the story of a journey, a journey which culminates in your shores, our shores.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Love
Purnima
P.S: Keep following as Tales from the Shogunate Unravel in 21st Century California
4/15/13
Dear Purnima,
Being an expert on neither Japanese masks nor Japanese theatre, I had to resort to the internet to glean the following concerning horned masks in Noh theatre:
“A devil-like, horned mask, for example, is worn by an actor playing Hannya, the jealous, revengeful demon who was once a beautiful woman.”
Sounds indeed like an interesting theme for your story, and it’s really fascinating that you were able to save this doll and its mask from the dumpster.
More later when I’ve had time to digest your questions about “The Merchant of Venice.”
All my best,
Roger
Dear Roger,
After receiving your email, I scanned the Internet for information and images on Hannya and found that it did not quite fit the horned headdress upheld by my Japanese doll with it’s golden curved horns and flaxen locks. In fact, the closest image seemed to be that of a samurai mask which sports the same forked horned mask. Do check out the images of samurai warriors taken at The National Gallery in Washington DC below:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Samurai.jpg
However, I loved the idea of stumbling upon a figurine upholding a horned mask that represents Hannya, a jealous revengeful spirit who was once a beautiful woman, especially since the most popular re-enaction of Hannya is found in the Japanese Noh play Aoi No Ue which is based on an episode from the Tale of Genji, one of my favorite books. See clip introducing Tale of Genji below:
But somehow I sense that the Japanese figurine is meant to represent me, and is not one embracing the spirit of Hannya, and extracting revenge, but upholding a samurai mask and embracing the spirit of a war weary but courageous samurai ready to embark upon the next adventure.
What do you think a Samurai or a Spirit?
I lean towards brave princess Yaegakihime who flies over a frozen lake to save her beloved.
See more pics of my doll below with the flaxen horned headdress:
https://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/113205-princess-yaegaki-kabuki-doll–unknown
Purnima
Roger Stevenson <rogerverlin@gmail.com>
Mon, Apr 22, 2013, 6:46 PM
Dear Purnima,
It has been fascinating to follow the conversation about the Japanese doll and the horned mask. Thanks for keeping me in the loop.
The latest case of the disgusting kidnapping and rape of a five-year old girl has once again focused the spotlight on India and the condition of women in that society. But, alas, I think you were right in an earlier email when you talked about the fact that it would take several generations to bring about any meaningful change.
Here is the point of view of Craig Murray, the former British diplomat who dared question his governments’s turning a blind eye to human rights abuses in Uzbekistan. He was subsequently drummed out of the British foreign service, had his reputation smeared by unfounded accusations, and has since devoted his time to dealing with other injustices, notably, he is a staunch defender of Julian Assange.
http://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2013/04/india-and-women/
We are back in Chiang Mai again. Phuket was really enjoyable, but some parts of the island are a bit too touristy for my taste, especially the beach at Patong. It’s wonderful to be back in our little part of paradise where, while it is hotter – 38 to 39 in the afternoons—it is much less humid.
When do you leave on your odyssey?
Much love,
Roger
Roger Stevenson
PURNIMA VISWANATHAN
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