Kabuki

Kabuki

One of the most important types of Japanese performing art is the kabuki play. Developed in the early 17th century, kabuki has remained a popular form of theater in Japan (Johnson 1). A maid of the Izumo Shrine created kabuki in the 1600's (Johnson 1). The Traditional Theater of Japan written by Yoshinobu Inoura in 1981 stated that kabuki was named using Japanese characters in which "ka means song, bu means dance, and ki means skill" (218). At this time the plays consisted of females executing dancing performances (Johnson 1). These plays tried to show feelings and conflicts dealing with affection, envy and courage ("Noh and Kabuki" 1). Audiences enjoyed kabuki because the plays related to their lives (Kitazawa 4). The styles of kabuki changed though when women were first banned from kabuki.

Women were prohibited because many of the performers were cheap mistresses outside of the theater and because of fights among the actresses' courters (Graves 378, Johnson 1). The government thought this set a bad example and proclaimed that only men could perform kabuki. The restriction of females performing kabuki was a positive strategy because it stressed the significance of talent instead of attractiveness. In addition it emphasized acting instead of dancing (Johnson 1). Along with the ban also came the introduction of onnagata performers, or males that portrayed ladies. (Graves 378)

Onnagata actors tried to convey the inner image of a lady instead of just imitating women (Graves 378). At an early age boys would begin learning how to be kabuki actors. Because kabuki was passed on from generation to generation, their fathers and grandfathers taught them. The boys learned the gestures and movements in the plays and how to be elegant and refined (Hamamura 106, Graves 378). These gestures appear mechanical because of kabuki's influence from Banraku puppet theater (Kitazawa 1, Johnson 1).

Since kabuki actors sometimes have to portray a female, dress and cosmetics play an important role in the performances. Costumes used are elaborate, detailed, and show the traditional dress of historical Japan. The primary form of cosmetics is called kumadori. The Asia Society's 1988 Video Letter: Noh and Kabuki translates kumadori as "making shadows" (1).