Brief History

 

 

Kabuki is a traditional, yet bizarre, Japanese dance/drama that dates back to the early 1600’s.  It incorporates intensely colored costumes and makeup, energetic dancing, and interesting story lines.  

 

Literal translation:  歌舞伎 (Kabuki) :  Sing, Dance, Skill

 

However, “kabuki” is apparently derived from kabuku, meaning "to lean" or "to be out of the ordinary."  So, Kabuki is often translated as “bizarre theatre.”

 

Kabuki was created as a means to provide entertainment to the lower class of the “Mibunsei.”  This was a system that split the population up into four different social classes during the Edo period.  During this split, the lower classes were not allowed to attend many forms of entertainment that the upper class attended.  So, “Kabuki became a gateway to let out emotions on current events, and most stories pertained to the conflict between humanity and the feudal system” (library.thinkquest.org).

 

One unique aspect of Kabuki is that there are no women actresses.  If the role of woman occurs during a performance, it is played by a man, known as an “onnagata.”  However, originally women were allowed to appear in the performances, but the authorities that the men were becoming infatuated with the actresses and decided to ban them to prevent “social demoralization.”

 

 

 

Makeup

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The makeup, or keshou, is a distinguishing factor for Kabuki.  There are several different styles of make up, each having a role or purpose.  The most distinctive make-up style that’s commonly connected with kabuki is “kumadori.” 

 

Kumadori is derived from (kuma - lines, wrinkles) and (toru - to take, to follow).

 

The color choice in kumadori are important.  These various colors highlight the "emotion and temperament" of each character.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stage

 

 

The stage for Kabuki performances usually contained a feature called “hanamichi,” literally meaning “flower path.”  This was a pathway that extruded out into the audience for enhance drama.  By the 1900’s trap doors and revolving stages were introduced.  So, part of the bizarreness and mystique of Kabuki come from the art of illusion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kuroko, literally meaning “black-child,” are stage hands that change the scenery, change costumes, impersonate animals, or any other kind of assistance.

 

They are dressed in all black to imply that they “really aren’t there," even though most times they can be seen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kabuki Today

 

After World War II, the art of kabuki suffered.  Not only were most theatres and major cities destroyed, but also the popular trend was to reject styles and ideas from the past.  However, kabuki remains somewhat popular still today.  It is considered the most common style in Japanese drama, at least in the sense of traditional styles.  There aren’t many major theatres bigger cities of Japan, but there are many smaller theatres in Osaka, and throughout the countryside.

 

Kabuki has spread to the Western world, as it is used regularly in America and Europe.  There have been many kabuki-themed performances of canonical Western plays, even Shakespeare. Other examples include Gerald Vizenor's “Hiroshima Bugi” in 2004. Writer Yukio Mishima used kabuki in modern settings, resurrecting other traditional arts, such as Noh, and related them to modern situations.

 

But... perhaps the best example of Kuroko use ever occured during the "Kinchan and Katori Shingo's All Japan Costume Grand Prix" in 2003.

 

Matrix Ping Pong!

 

 

Other Videos

 

 

 

Teh Takarazuka

 

Taiko Drumming

 

Kabuki info  

 

 

http://library.thinkquest.org/TQ0013420/index.htm

 

Make-up

***http://www.creative-arts.net/kabuki/Breakdown/Make-up.htm

 

Kuroko

http://imomus.livejournal.com/428923.html

 

Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kabuki