Ballad of Yachiyo.

By Philip Kan GotandaDian KobayashiJune Angela, et al.

Book Overview

This dramatic tale of a young Japanese girl's sexual awakening, and ultimate social downfall, in Hawaii's sugar-cane plantation system of the early twentieth century, is based on the life of the author's aunt who died at age nineteen. In this moving elegy, Gotanda juxtaposes the world of traditional Japanese arts, such as pottery and the tea ceremony, with the conflicting social realities of a culture in transition.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1559361220
• ISBN13: 9781559361224
• Release Date: October 1996
• Publisher: Theatre Communications Group
• Length: 96 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.3" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Breathtaking

Breathtaking. That is the single word which best describes Gotanda's "Ballad of Yachiyo". The story is very moving and, while I normally have a hard time following play scripts, Gotanda's use of imagery really allows for the reader to visualize the performance every step of the way. Each detail to the description of the scenes and the actions of the characters drew me further and further into the story. I would love to see a performance of this play! Someone please bring it to Michigan :)

life on the plantation

Yachiyo is someone from a previous era whose life is very contemporary in many ways. Her struggle to assert herself and find her place in the world is constrained by her time, place, class and status as an immigrant woman. It's a bittersweet story that portrays some harsh realities about life in Hawaii in the early 20th century. Highly recommended.

through hawaiian eyes

i love how this play tells the story of 1919 hawaii, through the playwrites family history. very beautiful and moving.

Breath-taking

A must-read, even for those who don't normally read plays. He tells a beautiful and captivating story through an exquisitely choreographed dramatic work. My complimentary words cannot do justice to him - I will just say that, as an aspiring writer, he is someone I truly admire.