As the title suggests this is quite a spiritual game that is very visual. It is quite a story to explain, but it all fits together and gives you a handle to consciously work with the space and get deep into a story.
Japanese use of space
The story goes that a Japanese garden always has a spot where you expect something that isn’t there. This creates an interesting energy pattern in the space. The (Japanese) art is to become aware of the space on stage, the linework. This includes things like: how do people stand in relation to each other, what direction are they facing, looking, are there any empty spots, are there looking lines, walking lines, lines that cross, is someone moving along a nice line and do you want to join them in that, ignore it consciously, or break the line…?
Needs
There is a strict recipe for the rolls and for the start, but apart from that (Keeping the linework in mind) is a free improvisation. Make sure the audience knows the meaning of the roles and the start.
Roles
Protagonist, the good guy, even though all the good guys also have their bad sides.
Antagonist, the bad guy, playing opposite the protagonist.
Helper of the protagonist, can put themself in a dominant or submissive position but the story is not about them.
Object, ‘an’ object, which is defined during play. It is important that it has a rhythmic contribution to the scene by for example hissing, clapping or tapping. Keep timing and repetition in mind. It needs to be defined eventually bu can be quite abstract.
Setup
This is the recipe for the start:
Ask the audience for a location.
The PROTAGONIST chooses a position and freezes.
The ANTAGONIST chooses a position and also freezes.
The HELPER OF THE PROTAGONIST chooses a position, freezes.
Then the OBJECT enters the stage, watches closely and then in one sentence readies the audience for a head start. For example: “They had not spoken to each other for three days..”
Then the object also looks for a spot, a pose and the game starts (Possibly discuss that the protagonist says the first sentence).
Finally
Do not talk too much, make the image and the rhythm carry the scene.