Play: Ikkyusan
This play, based on the true story of a famous boy monk, comes from a collection of plays and skits created by the ACT Japanese teachers’ group for use in their primary and junior secondary classrooms. Students work cooperatively in groups or as a class to prepare and perform the play for their classmates or at a school event.
Story Outline
Ikkyuu-san is a clever and somewhat mischievous young boy who is in training to become a Zen monk. There is a series of stories which document his adventures as he outwits the adults he encounters. In this particular story, Ikkyuu-san catches the head priest out in a lie about the sweets the priest is eating.
Cast
ナレーター×2 narrator ×2
いっきゅうさん Ikkyusan
おしょうさん Head monk
おとこのこ Boys (as many as needed)
Script
Cultural Notes
Zen Buddhism
a school of Buddhism which came to Japan via India and China in approximately 1200. Zen Buddhism focuses on an individual’s path to enlightenment (satori) through discipline and meditation.
Ikkyuu-san
was a real person. He lived from 1394～1481, and trained as a Zen Priest at Ankoku Temple in Kyoto.
Boo-san/O-boo-san
is a Buddhist monk.
Oshoo/Oshoo-san
is a Buddhist priest who is in charge of a temple.
Language Concepts
- adjectives (warui, ii, amai, abunai, oishii) + “noun” ga “adjective” desu
- ～te kudasai (+～nai de kudasai)
- ～tai desu
Web Links
Information and tasks on Ikkyusan
Manga: Ikkyu San
Wikipedia information on Ikkyuu-san
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikkyu
A very brief background to Zen Buddhism, and an interesting section on how to perform “zazen”
http://www.ibiblio.org/zen/faq.html
More information on Buddhism and Shinto
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2055.html
