World Music | Week 12 | The Kabuki Theatre

Summary

The script delves into the rich history and unique features of Kabuki, a classical Japanese theater form with over 400 years of evolution. Originating from Izumo no Okuni's unusual dances in Kyoto, Kabuki distinguished itself with makeup, historical narratives, and everyday life depictions. It underwent significant changes, including performer gender shifts and government sanctions, yet maintained its popularity. Today, Kabuki continues to thrive, influencing global artists and expanding into modern media, all while retaining its elaborate makeup, costumes, and dramatic storytelling on the hanamichi stage.

Takeaways

• 🌏 Kabuki is a form of classical theater in Japan that has evolved over 400 years and still maintains influence and popularity.
• 🎭 The word 'kabuki' comes from the Japanese verb 'kabuk' meaning 'out of the ordinary' or 'bizarre'.
• 🏙️ Kabuki originated in the early 17th century in Kyoto, with Izumo no Okuni performing unusual dances on the city's dry Kamo Riverbed.
• 👧 Initially, kabuki was performed by females and was known as 'onakabuki', but it evolved to include male performers due to societal and government pressures.
• 👦 The transition from female to male performers led to the emergence of 'wakashu kabuki' with young boys, and later 'yaro kabuki' performed by adult men.
• 🎭 Kabuki differentiated itself from the upper-class dance theater form 'no' by focusing on historical events and everyday life, using makeup and facial expressions instead of masks.
• 🎭 The Tokugawa shogunate attempted to control kabuki through bans and restrictions on costumes, stage weaponry, and plot subject matter.
• 🌐 Despite Japan's isolation (sukkoku), kabuki influenced and was influenced by European artists like Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh, and Claude Debussy.
• 🎭 Kabuki's popularity declined after World War II, but innovations by artists like director Tetsuji Takechi led to a resurgence, even among American troops stationed in Japan.
• 🎭 Today, kabuki continues as an integral part of Japan's cultural heritage, extending its influence to television, film, and anime.
• 🎵 The kabuki musical ensemble includes traditional Japanese instruments like drums, the nokan (no flute), and the shamisen, a three-string fretless instrument.

Q & A

What is Kabuki theater and how long has it been around?

Kabuki is a form of classical Japanese theater that has evolved over 400 years, maintaining influence and popularity to this day.

Where did Kabuki theater originate?

Kabuki theater originated in early 17th century Kyoto, Japan.

Who is credited with starting Kabuki theater and how did it begin?

Izumo no Okuni, a shrine maiden, is credited with starting Kabuki theater. She performed unusual dances on Kyoto's dry riverbeds, which were daring parodies of Buddhist prayers.

What does the word 'Kabuki' mean?

The word 'Kabuki' is derived from the Japanese verb 'kabuku,' meaning out of the ordinary or bizarre.

Why was Kabuki initially banned for female performers?

Kabuki was initially performed by females but was banned by the Tokugawa shogunate in 1629 because the performances were considered too risque.

What changes occurred in Kabuki theater after the ban on female performers?

After the ban on female performers, young boys, known as 'wakashu,' began performing Kabuki. When this was also banned, adult men took over, leading to the development of 'yaro Kabuki,' where male actors played both male and female roles.

How did the Tokugawa shogunate attempt to control Kabuki theater?

The Tokugawa shogunate, guided by Confucian ideals, enacted sanctions on costume fabrics, stage weaponry, and plot subject matter to control Kabuki theater.

How did Kabuki theater change during the Meiji Restoration?

During the Meiji Restoration, Kabuki underwent much change and experimentation to adapt to the modern era, incorporating influences from European artists and evolving its style.

What instruments are commonly used in Kabuki theater music?

Instruments commonly used in Kabuki theater music include various drums (osuzumi, kosuzumi, taiko), the noh flute (nokan), a small metal gong, and the shamisen, a three-stringed lute.

What is the significance of the 'hanamichi' stage in Kabuki theater?

The 'hanamichi' stage is a long, raised platform extending into the audience, used by actors for dramatic entrances and exits, making Kabuki performances more interactive and dynamic.

How did Kabuki theater regain popularity after World War II?

Kabuki theater regained popularity after World War II due to innovations by artists like director Tetsuji Takechi, despite initial U.S. censorship of Japanese traditions. It became a popular form of entertainment among American troops stationed in Japan.

How is the makeup used in Kabuki theater significant?

The elaborate makeup in Kabuki theater, known as 'kesho,' signifies different types of characters and adds to the dramatic and visual impact of the performance.

How did the development of Kabuki theater differ from the noh theater?

Kabuki theater focused on historical events and everyday life with elaborate costumes and makeup, while noh theater emphasized simplicity and control, often using masks instead of makeup.

What is a 'shamisen' and how is it played?

A shamisen is a three-stringed, fretless lute similar to a banjo. It is played using a plectrum called 'bachi,' and the player uses various finger techniques on the left hand and different stroke techniques on the right hand.

What role did Kabuki theater play in Japanese cultural heritage?

Kabuki theater is an integral part of Japan's cultural heritage, influencing other art forms like television, film, and anime, and continuing to delight audiences with its elaborate performances.