Kaomise
【顔見世（顔見世公演）】
【KAOMISE(KAOMISEKOEN)】
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Nishikie portraying the lively atmosphere of the Kaomise performance in the Edo period. “Edo Ryoza Shibaimachi Kaomise no Zu”. Owned by the National Theatre. （61802）
Kabuki actors in the Edo period would sign a 1-year contract with each theatre. The term started from November and was effective until October in the next year. This is much like a professional baseball player today who signs a yearly contract with the team. A season of Kabuki in the Edo period started in November.
Kaomise refers to an important performance event in November each year, which is meant to introduce the actors’ face (Kao) for the upcoming season to the audience. A variety of ceremonies was conducted prior to Kaomise. Also, there were many conventions, one of which was to perform “Shibaraku” among other plays. The audience was looking forward to this performance, and some of them even waited in line overnight the day before the opening day. Actors’ contract period came to be undefined in the late of the Edo period, and the performance became rare.
Today, we can see some Kaomise performances. Unlike in the Edo period, there are no special rituals or conventions, but more leading actors gather to perform than regular months. Among them, a December performance at Minamiza Theatre in Kyoto has the longest history and is most widely known. The actors’ names are written on a wooden signboard called “Maneki” that is hung in front of the theatre building. And the atmosphere is much more flowery and gorgeous than the regular performances. Other examples include a November performance at Kabukiza Theatre and an October performance at Misonoza Theatre.
Kaomise refers to an important performance event in November each year, which is meant to introduce the actors’ face (Kao) for the upcoming season to the audience. A variety of ceremonies was conducted prior to Kaomise. Also, there were many conventions, one of which was to perform “Shibaraku” among other plays. The audience was looking forward to this performance, and some of them even waited in line overnight the day before the opening day. Actors’ contract period came to be undefined in the late of the Edo period, and the performance became rare.
Today, we can see some Kaomise performances. Unlike in the Edo period, there are no special rituals or conventions, but more leading actors gather to perform than regular months. Among them, a December performance at Minamiza Theatre in Kyoto has the longest history and is most widely known. The actors’ names are written on a wooden signboard called “Maneki” that is hung in front of the theatre building. And the atmosphere is much more flowery and gorgeous than the regular performances. Other examples include a November performance at Kabukiza Theatre and an October performance at Misonoza Theatre.
