Kabuki: Japan's Original Theater for the People (2025)

FAQs

What are 3 facts about Kabuki Theatre? ›

Kabuki plays are about historical events and moral conflict in relationships of the heart. The actors speak in a monotone voice and are accompanied by traditional instruments. The Kabuki stage is equipped with several gadgets, such as revolving stages and trapdoors through which the actors can appear and disappear.

One of Japan's tradition theatrical arts.

Originated by a legendary female dancer, Izumo no Okuni, at the beginning of the 17th century, Kabuki performances with "eccentric" (kabuku) dance and exaggerated acting were developed among common people in urban Japan throughout the following centuries.

Kabuki theater is important to Japan's social, cultural, and spiritual background because it represents Japanese ideas, customs, and experiences. Kabuki (歌舞伎) is made up of three kanji (Chinese characters): ka (歌) defines "to sing" bu (舞) connotes a dance.

Kabuki (歌舞伎, かぶき) is a classical form of Japanese theatre, mixing dramatic performance with traditional dance. Kabuki theatre is known for its heavily stylised performances, its glamorous, highly decorated costumes, and for the elaborate kumadori make-up worn by some of its performers.

However, The Japan Times reports that kabuki comes from the verb kabuku, meaning “to slant or to sway” and is used to describe “people who were out of the ordinary and preferred to dress in extravagant attire.” As an art form, Kabuki is characterized by colorful costumes, music, stylized performances, and broad ...

Kabuki, traditional Japanese popular drama with singing and dancing performed in a highly stylized manner. A rich blend of music, dance, mime, and spectacular staging and costuming, it has been a major theatrical form in Japan for four centuries.

Then around the beginning of the Edo period (start of 17th century), the kabuki-odori performed by Okuni - a woman who referred to herself as a shrine maiden from Izumo Taisha shrine in Shimane - became extremely popular in the imperial capital of Kyoto.

In 1629, the ruling shogunate flat-out banned all women from performing kabuki. The reason given was something about how kabuki was corrupting public morals. To be fair, a lot of early kabuki plays were provocative and erotic.

What makes Kabuki unique? ›

Kabuki is an art form rich in showmanship. It involves elaborately designed costumes, eye-catching make-up, outlandish wigs, and arguably most importantly, the exaggerated actions performed by the actors.

Kabuki has been performed since the early 17th century. Plays originally featured both men and women. But the Edo government felt they would be too provocative and banned women. For hundreds of years, men have played every role and that tradition endures today.

One of the most evident influences is the use of extravagant costumes and makeup seen in Kabuki performances, which have inspired filmmakers to create visually stunning characters and sets.

A paper fan, a popular Kabuki prop, can be used to represent a tray, a sunrise, the wind, rain, cutting with a knife, drinking, and much more.

These include vocal music known as nagauta, created through song and shamisen (a type of stringed instrument), and instrumental ensembles or narimono, created by many different types of instruments, especially percussion and fue (flute).

The word 'ka-bu-ki' itself is made up of three characters that mean 'song' (ka-歌), 'dance' (bu-舞) and 'acting skill' (ki-伎), indicating the composite nature of this art that includes elements of music, dance and drama, disciplines that would in most other cases be performed separately.

The duration of the performances depends on the acts and the content. However, usually they run for approximately 4 hours each for the Matinee and the Evening Show. If you prefer to watch from a Single Act Seat, kabuki dances and short dramas last about 30 minutes to１hour, while long dramas last about 1 to 2 hours.

The Kabuki form dates from the early 17th century, when a female dancer named Okuni (who had been an attendant at the Grand Shrine of Izumo), achieved popularity with parodies of Buddhist prayers. She assembled around her a troupe of wandering female performers who danced and acted.

Then around the beginning of the Edo period (start of 17th century), the kabuki-odori performed by Okuni - a woman who referred to herself as a shrine maiden from Izumo Taisha shrine in Shimane - became extremely popular in the imperial capital of Kyoto.