Introduction

Features

A classical performing art that remains fresh

• Meaning of the term “Kabuki”
• All male performers
• Diverse repertoire of plays

For the audiences’ enjoyment

• Friendly interaction between the audience and actors
• How to enjoy Kabuki is up to the individual

Stage

Theatre Transformations

Various curtains for production

Characters and Actors

Characters and Costumes

• Familiarity with Characters
• Costumes
• Wigs
• Stage props

Various Kabuki Roles

• Umeomaru
• Fujiya Izaemon
• Sekibei (Otomo no Kuronushi)
• Soga no Iruka
• Kamiyui Shinza
• Sato Tadanobu (Genkurogitsune)
• Miuraya Agemaki
• Yaegakihime
• Kirare Otomi

Expressions of the Actors

• Stage names, Stage family names and Crests
• Family Arts
• Acting styles

Production and Music

Expression of Scene

• Expression of Stage set
• Dramatic techniques showing weather
• Dramatic techniques for Matsubame-mono
• Expression of Makugire (end of act)

Distinctive Expressions

• Hikinuki (onstage costume change)
• Chunori (midair performance)
• Tachimawari (fighting performance)
• Roppo (stylized walking)
• Mie (pose)
• Ningyoburi (puppet-like acting)
• Kurogo (stage assistant in black costume)

Expression by Sounds

• Enjoy Listening to Kabuki
• Geza (off-stage musical accompaniment and sound effects)
• Narimono (musical accompaniment and sound effects besides shamisen)
• Nagauta (songs in time with shamisen music)
• Takemoto (narrative music with shamisen)
• Tokiwazu-bushi (narrative music with shamisen)
• Kiyomoto-bushi (narrative music with shamisen)
• Ki (wooden clappers)
• Tsuke (sound effects using wood clappers)

History

The Beginning

• The Kabuki-Odori
• From Onna-Kabuki to Wakashu-Kabuki
• Development of Yaro-Kabuki

Establishment

• Establishment of Aragoto
• Establishment of Wagoto
• Popularity of Gidayu-Kyogen

Development Period

• Development of the Shosagoto
• Works of Tsuruya Namboku IV
• Establishment of the Kabuki-Jyuhachiban

Successful Period

• Emergence of the Theatre Town Saruwaka-machi
• Works of Kawatake Mokuami
• Modernization of Kabuki

Classical and Modern Styles

• Popularity of a Shin-Kabuki
• Carrying on Classical Kabuki
• From Revival to Prosperitys
• Modern-day Kabuki

Plays

Kabuki Dramaturgy

Eminent Playwrights

Classifications of Plays

Leading Plays

• Aotozoshi Hana no Nishikie(The Five Thieves)
• Imoseyama Onna Teikin(Husband and Wife Mountains: An Exemplary Tale of Womanly Virtue)
• Kanadehon Chushingura(The Treasury of 47 Loyal Retainers)
• Kawasho(The Kawasho Teahouse scene)
• Kanjincho(The Subscription List)
• Kyoganoko Musume Dojoji(The Girl at Dojoji Temple)
• Koibikyaku Yamato Orai(The Money Courier from Hell）
• Kotobuki Soga no Taimen(The Revenge of the Soga Brothers)
• Sakurahime Azuma Bunsho(The Scarlet Princesss and her story in the East)
• Sannin Kichisa Kuruwa no Hatsugai(The Thieves Named Kichisa)
• Shibaraku(Wait a Moment!)
• Shunkyo Kagamijishi(The Kagami Lion Dance)
• Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami(Sugawara and Secrets of Calligraphy)
• Sukeroku Yukari no Edozakura(Sukeroku,the Hero of Edo)
• Tsumoru Koi Yuki no Sekinoto(The Snowbound Barrier)
• Tsuyu Kosode Mukashi Hachijo(Shinza, the Barber)
• Tokaido Yotsuya Kaidan(The Ghosts of Yotsuya)
• Narukami (The Holy Man Narukami and Lady Taema)
• Bancho Sarayashiki(The Broken Dish)
• Heike Nyogonoshima (The Priest in Exile)
• Meiboku Sendai Hagi(The Troubles in the Date Clan)
• Momijigari(Viewing the Autumn Leaves)
• Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura(Yoshitsune and the Thousand Cherry Trees )

To the Theatre

Where do I watch?

• Theatres and tickets
• Selecting seats

How do I watch?

• Before you go
• During the performance
• Viewing manners