Certain Noble Plays of Japan

CERTAIN NOBLE PLAYS OF JAPAN:FROM THE MANUSCRIPTS OF ERNEST FENOLLOSA,CHOSEN AND FINISHED BY EZRA POUND,WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY WILLIAM BUTLER YEATSINTRODUCTIONIIn the series of books I edit for my sister I confine myself to thosethat have I believe some special value to Ireland, now or in the future.I have asked Mr. Pound for these beautiful plays because I think theywill help me to explain a certain possibility of the Irish dramaticmovement. I am writing these words with my imagination stirred by a visitto the studio of Mr. Dulac, the distinguished illustrator of the ArabianNights. I saw there the mask and head-dress to be worn in a play of mineby the player who will speak the part of Cuchulain, and who wearingthis noble half-Greek half-Asiatic face will appear perhaps like an imageseen in revery by some Orphic worshipper. I hope to have attained thedistance from life which can make credible strange events, elaboratewords. I have written a little play that can be played in a room for..