I'm just back from the 10th International Milton Symposium in Japan, which was an amazing chance to think through and witness Milton's global reach and continuing influence in 2012. Beside all the regular conference stuff -- papers, discussions, various and sundry hobby horses -- we were treated to a fantastic Noh Theatre adaptation of Milton's closet Drama,
Samson Agonistes. The picture above is an actor holding the mask used for Samson. Noh actors often belong to families with a long lineage in the art, and this particular masque has been in family of Manjiro Tatsumi, who played Samson, since the 17th century. Perhaps the weight of that tradition helps explain why the mask, after the performance, seemed weirdly sentient to this observer. Or perhaps it was just the effect of a profoundly interesting and powerful play, adapted by one of Japan's leading poets, Mutsuo Takahashi and performed by the National Noh Theatre of Japan. Or maybe it was the jet lag.
A wonderful night and an amazing conference that has already been a major topic of my Fall teaching -- thanks so much, once again, to the Milton Society of Japan and all the good people at Aoyama Gakuin University for making it possible!
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