“Kabuki” is one of Japan’s traditional performing arts, born out of a long history and tradition, and is an asset of Japan that has been carefully protected and passed down unchanged from ancient times to the present. You can enjoy the world of Kabuki more by following a few points. Here is an easy-to-understand explanation of the meaning and history behind Kabuki costumes, performances, and makeup.
In Kabuki, there is no director like in other forms of plays. The main actor is in charge of the interpretation of the script, how to express, costumes, makeup, and everything else. The actors pass on their special plays to their children and apprentices. And the name of the actor and the performance that is passed on to the next generation eventually becomes established and fixed, and is called “ie-no-gei”(performance of the family). The famous examples are the “Kabuki- juhachiban(the eighteen best kabuki plays) ” established by Ichikawa Danjuro Ⅶ and the “Shinko-engeki-jusshu”(Ten new old plays”) established by Onoe Kikugoro V.
There are four major genres of kabuki.
Along with the costumes, the makeup of Kabuki is also one of the main features. The unique makeup, called “kuma-dori,” emphasizes the emotions and expressions of the characters.
For example, the red kuma-dori is basically for the “friend of justice” or the main character. On the other hand, there is a shade of blue called “aiguma”. This is a shade called a “kuge-aku” used for a villain who is trying to overthrow the state. In other words, just by looking at the color of one’s face (makeup), one can tell whether one is a friend of justice or a villain. A white face also indicates a handsome man and a beautiful woman. Yong nobles, handsome men, and princesses paint their faces pure white.
In Kabuki, there is a rule that “black” is treated as something invisible. For this reason, the “kurogo” with its black kimono, black pants, and black hood, is invisible to the audience. The kurogo is indispensable in the play, as it hides behind the actors, hands them props, helps the actors sit on the stand on the stage, and clears the stage of unnecessary objects.
Kabuki is considered to have strict rules and manners, but the basic etiquette is the same as when watching a movie in a movie theater.
(1) Turn off your cell phone.
(2) Try not to make noise in quiet scenes.
(3) Do not go to the bathroom during the performance as much as possible.
(4) Do not record or take pictures.
(5) Eating and drinking are not allowed except in designated areas.
The origin of the word kabuki comes from the verb “kabuku” in Japanese. From the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1573-1603) to the early Edo period (1603-1868), young people walked the streets dressed in the most eccentric outfits of the time, and these people came to be called kabuk-imono. The kabuki-mono became the object of admiration for young people, and the sight of them going to teahouses and cavorting with prostitutes became a tradition in Kyoto. Some women took notice of this trend and began to imitate the kabuki-mono.
This was the ancestor of kabuki, Izumo-no-Akuni. This is where the history of Kabuki began.
In the more than 400 years of its history since then, Kabuki has faced numerous crises, including suppression by the Shogunate, rapid westernization during the Meiji Restoration, shortages of supplies due to war, and the death of famous actors. Each time, however, a superstar emerged with superior skills to bounce back from adversity, revitalize and improve Kabuki, and make it the world-class performing art that it is today.
Kabuki-za theater is the first and foremost. It is said to have a special place for the actors, and there are many fans who feel that this theater is the only place to be.
If you are planning to see a kabuki performance in Tokyo, this is the place to go.
It is a little far from Kyoto Station, but you can feel the gorgeous atmosphere of this theater. It is not a big theater, but the compactness of it gives you a sense of Kyoto’s cool or chic. For a long time, called “kaomise-kogyo”(the first performance of the year) has been a tradition at Minami-za, and many people from all over Japan go to Kyoto to see it.
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The charm of Kabuki
There are many unique features that characterize kabuki, such as the unique and flashy costumes, makeup, and large-scale stage performances. Here is an introduction to the main Kabuki attractions.Kabuki performance
In Kabuki, there is no director like in other forms of plays. The main actor is in charge of the interpretation of the script, how to express, costumes, makeup, and everything else. The actors pass on their special plays to their children and apprentices. And the name of the actor and the performance that is passed on to the next generation eventually becomes established and fixed, and is called “ie-no-gei”(performance of the family). The famous examples are the “Kabuki- juhachiban(the eighteen best kabuki plays) ” established by Ichikawa Danjuro Ⅶ and the “Shinko-engeki-jusshu”(Ten new old plays”) established by Onoe Kikugoro V.
Kabuki plot
There are four major genres of kabuki.
Jidaimono and Sewamono
In Japan, historical dramas, which depict the lives of samurai in the old days, are very popular and are broadcast on TV. In the same way, people in the Edo (1603-1868) period also enjoyed period dramas in Kabuki. These dramas are called jidaimono, and are set in the olden times (Muromachi, Kamakura, Heian periods, and even more ancient times) as seen by the people of the Edo period. On the other hand, modern dramas that depict contemporary life are called sewamono. In the Edo period, when there was no TV, the drama played a role similar to that of a news program or a tabloid news show by reporting and presenting incidents that occurred at that time.shosa-goto
shosa-gotoi is a dance based on the legend of “Dojoji temple,” in which Kiyohime, who became a giant snake in her pursuit of her lover Anchin, wrapped herself around the bell of Dojoji Temple, where Anchin was hiding, and burned him to death. Another famous play is the dance based on the Noh play “Ishibashi-Shakkyo,” which features a lion living in the mountains in China.Gidayu Kyogen
This is like a live-action version of an anime in modern times. Many scripts were transplanted from “ningyo-joruri”, which was as popular as kabuki in the Edo period. This type of performance is called Gidayu-Kyogen. One of the stories is based on the incident in which Michizane Sugawara was transferred to Dazaifu.New kabuki
This is a more realistic depiction of the period. Famous works include those that realistically depict the struggles of Katsumoto Katagiri, a loyal retainer of the Toyotomi family who serves as a negotiator with the Tokugawa side after the Battle of Sekigahara.fancy kabuki costumes
The costumes used in Kabuki are gorgeously decorated, with vivid colors and unique makeup that beautifully create an unusual world. Kabuki is a performing art that grew up in the Edo period, and kimonos are mainly used as costumes. In addition to yukata, hanten, and other modern kimonos, kabuki costumes include kamishimo, a set of hakama and outer garments worn by samurai, and sometimes createive designs that remind us of imaginary beings. One of the most popular Kabuki costumes is the gorgeous “Oiran” costume. The uchikake used in scenes such as oiran-doutyuon(on the way to the place that the customer is). are embroidered with gold and silver, and the “manaita obi” hanging far in front and the double-layered uchikake are so fascinating to look at.kabuki makeup
Along with the costumes, the makeup of Kabuki is also one of the main features. The unique makeup, called “kuma-dori,” emphasizes the emotions and expressions of the characters.
For example, the red kuma-dori is basically for the “friend of justice” or the main character. On the other hand, there is a shade of blue called “aiguma”. This is a shade called a “kuge-aku” used for a villain who is trying to overthrow the state. In other words, just by looking at the color of one’s face (makeup), one can tell whether one is a friend of justice or a villain. A white face also indicates a handsome man and a beautiful woman. Yong nobles, handsome men, and princesses paint their faces pure white.
Kabuki customs
Kabuki has a long tradition, and there are certain customs and manners that must be observed. Be sure to observe the proper manners so that you can enjoy the show comfortably.The black clothes in Kabuki are invisible people.
In Kabuki, there is a rule that “black” is treated as something invisible. For this reason, the “kurogo” with its black kimono, black pants, and black hood, is invisible to the audience. The kurogo is indispensable in the play, as it hides behind the actors, hands them props, helps the actors sit on the stand on the stage, and clears the stage of unnecessary objects.
Kabuki viewing etiquette
Kabuki is considered to have strict rules and manners, but the basic etiquette is the same as when watching a movie in a movie theater.
(1) Turn off your cell phone.
(2) Try not to make noise in quiet scenes.
(3) Do not go to the bathroom during the performance as much as possible.
(4) Do not record or take pictures.
(5) Eating and drinking are not allowed except in designated areas.
Kabuki voice call
History of Kabuki
The origin of the word kabuki comes from the verb “kabuku” in Japanese. From the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1573-1603) to the early Edo period (1603-1868), young people walked the streets dressed in the most eccentric outfits of the time, and these people came to be called kabuk-imono. The kabuki-mono became the object of admiration for young people, and the sight of them going to teahouses and cavorting with prostitutes became a tradition in Kyoto. Some women took notice of this trend and began to imitate the kabuki-mono.
This was the ancestor of kabuki, Izumo-no-Akuni. This is where the history of Kabuki began.
In the more than 400 years of its history since then, Kabuki has faced numerous crises, including suppression by the Shogunate, rapid westernization during the Meiji Restoration, shortages of supplies due to war, and the death of famous actors. Each time, however, a superstar emerged with superior skills to bounce back from adversity, revitalize and improve Kabuki, and make it the world-class performing art that it is today.
Places where you can watch Kabuki
Kabuki-za (Tokyo│East Ginza)
Kabuki-za theater is the first and foremost. It is said to have a special place for the actors, and there are many fans who feel that this theater is the only place to be.
If you are planning to see a kabuki performance in Tokyo, this is the place to go.
Shinbashi Enbujo (Tokyo│Higashi Ginza)
Shinbashi Enbujo is a five-minute walk from Kabuki-za. During the reconstruction of Kabuki-za, this theater became the home of the theater. The theater is slightly smaller than Kabuki-za, but Kabuki performances are held here several times a year.National Theatre (Tokyo│Hanzomon)
National Theatre of Japan holds “appreciation classes” for students twice a year, and focuses on reviving long-discontinued plays, so you can often see rare plays. One of the features of this theater is that it is run by the government, so the ticket price is quite reasonable, which is a great benefit for the audience. It also has a large lobby with many chairs where you can relax during intermission.Shochiku-za (Osaka│Namba)
Shochikuza is located in Dotonbori, Osaka (a 3-minute walk from Namba subway station). The stage is smaller in width than the Kabuki-za, and the theater has a suitable atmosphere for watching the plays that grew up in Osaka. It seems that the appeal of some plays is enhanced by seeing them at the Shochikuza. It also has fewer seats than the Kabuki-za, so you can feel closer to the actors.Minami-za (Kyoto│Sijo)
It is a little far from Kyoto Station, but you can feel the gorgeous atmosphere of this theater. It is not a big theater, but the compactness of it gives you a sense of Kyoto’s cool or chic. For a long time, called “kaomise-kogyo”(the first performance of the year) has been a tradition at Minami-za, and many people from all over Japan go to Kyoto to see it.
