Kabuki performance | Places to enjoy the sounds of Japanese instruments
The beginning of Kabuki
Around the beginning of the Edo period (early 17th century), "Kabuki Odori" performed by a woman named Okuni, who claimed to be a shrine maiden of Izumo-Taisha Shrine, became very popular in Kyoto. The dance incorporated the costumes and gestures of "Kabukimono," who dressed eccentrically and did strange things.
As "Kabuki Odori" became popular, groups of female performers who imitated them began to appear. This dance, performed with shamisen accompaniment, was called "Onna kabuki（Women's Kabuki）" and became popular in Kyoto, Edo, Osaka, and other parts of Japan. Women's kabuki, however, was banned by the shogunate and the clans because it disturbed public morals when women performed on stage because some fans fought with each other.
Later, Kabuki was performed by adult men and developed into a theatrical performance with a plot. The role of male actors called "Onnagata", who appeared in the guise of women, was also established at this time.
Kabuki performances
About 400 plays are currently performed. Kabuki can be roughly divided into Jidaimono (historical dramas based on historical events and characters before the Edo period) and Sewamono (dramas that deal with the love lives and human feelings of ordinary people in the Edo period).
Their stylistic beauty characterizes Jidaimono, and many of them are tear-jerkers depicting a master and apprentice, a husband and wife, or a parent and child, such as "Kanjincho" （A story about a man who reads a fictional Kanjincho at a barrier to protect his master who is being chased）and "Kanadehon Chushingura"（A story about taking revenge on one's master for committing seppuku）.
On the other hand, Sewamono depicts townspeople in the Edo period with easy-to-understand stories, such as "Tsuyu Kosode Mukashi Hachijo "（A story about a man and a woman eloping）.
Kabuki Music
Kabuki music consists of ”Nagauta” sung and played on the shamisen, and ”Narimono” played on flutes and percussion instruments.
In Nagauta, a thin-necked shamisen which is suitable for playing delicate, high-pitched melodies is used. Narimono include shinobue (bamboo flute), kotsuzumi (small hand drums), otsuzumi (large hand drums), and shime-daiko (drums with clamps).
In Kabuki plays, various percussion instruments are used as sound effects to finely express the sounds of ocean waves, rivers, and ghosts. For example, in real life, snow falls without making a sound, but in Kabuki, the drum is tapped lightly with a drumstick whose tip is wrapped in cloth or cotton to make a soft sound to create the appearance of falling snow.
How to see Kabuki
Kbukiza Theater（Higashi-Ginza）
Shinbashi Enbujo Theater（Higashi-Ginza）
Kabuki on Demand
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