Kabuki is a traditional Japanese theatrical art form that began in the 16^th century Edo period. Support for this art form came from the merchant class because it gave an artistic means to express their emotions under the conditions they lived by. Kabuki themes are centered around conflicts between humanity and the feudalistic system. Kabuki origins are said to begin by a woman named Izumo Okuni. She would dance by the main river in Kyoto. Surprisingly, what were once an all women art form turned into men only theatre. In 1629 the appearance of women in Kabuki was banned. This was done because authorities felt that the women were attracting too much attention from male admires. Men who played women roles were known as onnagala.

Kabuki is well respected and appreciated in Japan, but for foreigners it came be tedious to sit through because of the length and language. It is usually 5 hours of a mixture of song, dance, and spectacle. The plays and stage techniques have been created over the years by borrowing form arts such as Bunraku and Noh drama. Kabuki plays may also have a historical or domestic base to their plot.

Kabuki for Everyone

History

Kabuki

Bunraku is puppet theater that was developed before Kabuki. Narrators explain what is happening and there are three puppeteers that control the puppets. The master puppeteer, the omozukai, supports the body and the head. The master has many years of training and is a life long process of teamwork. The other puppeteers are assistants and work the hands and feet. Today, more that one half of the conventional kabuki plays are bunraku origin.

Noh is a type of Japanese drama where a lyric dance is performed on a special stage to music. Being the oldest form of theatre, it was used to entertain the Samurai class. Characters usually wear Noh masks that are worn to show emotion.

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