On Attaining the Stage of Yūgen
Yūgen is considered to be the mark of supreme attainment in all the arts and accomplishments. In the art of the Nō in particular, the manifestation of yūgen is of the first importance. When yūgen in the Nō is displayed, it is generally apparent to the eye, and it is the one thing which audiences most admire, but actors who possess yūgen are few and far between. This is because they do not know its true meaning and so do not reach that stage.
In what kind of place is the stage of yūgen to be found? Let us begin by examining the various classes of people on the basis of the appearance that they made in society. May we not say of the courtiers whose behavior is distinguished and whose appearance far surpasses that of other men, that they are at the stage of yūgen? From this we may see that the essence of yūgen is true beauty and gentleness. Tranquillity and elegance make for yūgen in personal appearance. In the same way, the yūgen of discourse lies in a grace of language and a complete mastery of the speech of the nobility and the gentry so that even the most casual utterance will be graceful. A musical performance may be said to possess yūgen when the melody flows beautifully and sounds smooth and sensitive. A dance will possess yūgen when the discipline has been thoroughly mastered and the audience is delighted by the performer’s movements and by his serene appearance. Acting possesses yūgen when the performance of the Three Roles[1] is beautiful. If the characterization calls for a display of anger or for the representation of a devil, the actions may be somewhat forceful, but as long as the actor never loses sight of the beauty of the effect and bears in mind always the correct balance between his mental and physical actions and between the movements of his body and feet,[2] his appearance will be so beautiful that it may be called the “yūgen of a devil.”
