A 400-Year-Old Tradition, Kabuki Continues to Grow

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February 2011 Vol. 8

This month’s selection from The Japan Times A 400-year-old tradition, kabuki continues to grow

Alex Martin and when kabuki, which initially had a STAFF WRITER stronger base in Kamigata, or what is now roughly the Kinki region, also be- The media frenzy over kabuki star came popular in the capital, Edo. Ichikawa Ebizo’s drunken midnight Kabuki continued to flourish through brawl in Tokyo in November may be a the Edo Period and the Meiji Era, testament to how kabuki, 400 years spawning countless original acts and after its birth, remains a highly popu- ‘‘families’’ of actors that continue to lar form of entertainment integral to perform to this day. Japanese culture. Despite Japan’s radical transition What are some prominent plays? from an isolated, feudal nation to a de- Kabuki plays can broadly be divided veloped industrial democracy, kabuki into two main categories, the jidai- has managed to successfully cultivate mono (historical stories) and the new fans and become the most popu- sewa-mono (domestic stories). lar form of traditional dance and Since the shogunate censored the drama. representation of contemporary Farewell: People take a last look at the Kabuki-za in Tokyo on April 30 before it is The following are some questions events or any criticism of its rule, the demolished. A new Kabuki-za at the same site is set to open in 2013. SATOKO KAWASAKI and answers regarding the art form. jidai-mono plays were often based on events from the 12th to 14th centuries. According to the book Heisei no Ka- aging kabuki performances,’’ he said. What are the origins of the term? Playwrights sometimes used them to buki (kabuki in the Heisei Era) by Agata said that while the popularity Kabuki is derived from the term kabu- represent contemporary events. Akira Nohara, Danjuro was one of the of kabuki waned during and after ku, meaning ‘‘to slant’’ or ‘‘to sway,’’ Popular themes included the Gem- earliest kabuki actors to pioneer the World War II, when the Kabuki-za was used in the late 16th and early 17th pei War of the late 12th century and valiant aragoto style of acting that has destroyed by U.S. bombing raids, it centuries to describe kabuki-mono, or the Nanbokucho Wars of the 14th cen- since been closely associated with his gradually regained its prominence in people who were out of the ordinary tury. A famous jidai-mono play is name and Edo-style kabuki, in con- the following years. The late Emperor and preferred to dress extravagantly. Yoshitsune Senbonzakura (‘‘Yoshi- trast to the elegant waji-style perfor- Hirohito, posthumously known as While the kanji for kabuki were tsune and the Thousand Cherry mances that were popular in the Kinki Showa, and the empress visited the slightly altered several times in its Trees’’), which premiered in 1748 and region. newly built Kabuki-za in 1953. Later, early years, it eventually settled on depicts Genji warlord Minamoto no Other famous contemporary names the first kabuki performances in the the present three characters that, Yoshitsune’s journey across Japan in include Nakamura Kanzaburo, Onoe United States were held over 54 days in when defined individually, represent pursuit of three warlords of the rival Kikugoro and Matsumoto Koshiro. 1960, expanding kabuki’s presence singing, dancing and skill. Heike clan. overseas. Agata said that the introduc- Sewa-mono plays depict the life- How has kabuki flourished? tion of earphone guides in 1975 was also What is the history of kabuki? styles of common townspeople and Shochiku Co., founded by brothers a landmark event, proving immensely The origins of kabuki can be traced peasants. They include stories of ro- Matsujiro Shirai and Takejiro Otani in popular with viewers unaccustomed to back to 1603 when Izumono Okuni, a mance, love-suicides such as the popu- 1895, has been solely responsible for kabuki’s unique style, plots and world- supposed miko, or female shaman, of lar Sonezaki Shinju written by Chika- managing and promoting kabuki per- view. In 1982, English-language ear- Izumo Taisha, a Shinto shrine in what matsu Monzaemon, and even ghost formances over the past century. phone guides were introduced. is now Shimane Prefecture that is re- stories, including the famous Tokaido While Shochiku is also known as a The Kabuki-za began hosting year- puted to be the oldest in Japan, began Yotsuyakaidan by master playwright film production company that has round performances from 1991 thanks an original dance performance in Tsuruya Namboku. made works by well-known directors to kabuki’s increasing popularity. Kyoto that soon became hugely popu- According to a survey taken by the such as Yasujiro Ozu and Kenji Mizo- Agata said he believes kabuki’s popular and spawned many imitators. Yomiuri Shimbun in 2008, the three guchi, it has continued to place its larity has hit an all-time high in recent But the Okuni-style female kabuki most popular kabuki plays are Kanjin- main emphasis on kabuki, directly years, with a fan base estimated at troupes and wakashu kabuki, another cho (‘‘The Subscription List’’), another managing venues like the Kabuki-za in about 3 million. style popular at the time that featured story based on the Gempei Wars and Chuo Ward, Tokyo, which is currently Shochiku also premiered its cinema young boys, were banned in the mid- which features the well-known charac- undergoing reconstruction and is set kabuki films in 2005, which allow cus- 17th century by the Tokugawa shogun- ters Yoshitsune and Benkei; Yoshi- to reopen in 2013. Shochiku’s other ka- tomers to view performances in movie ate for their eroticism and the fact tsune Senbonzakura; and Kyoganoko buki theaters include the Shinbashi theaters. The company recently start- that many of the actors were also Musume Dojoji, a kabuki dance piece Enbujo in Tokyo, the Minami-za in ed its official English-language kabuki prostitutes. based on the noh play of the same title. Kyoto and the Osaka-Shochiku-za. website (www.kabuki-bito.jp/eng), where The bans led to the formation of yaro Taisuke Agata, head of public rela- visitors can learn about kabuki and re- kabuki, all-male troupes in which men Who are some famous kabuki actors? tions at Shochiku, said no written con- serve tickets online. also played female roles and which be- Throughout the centuries, kabuki has tracts exist between the company and Agata recommends that beginners came the basis for modern-day kabu- given rise to various household names. kabuki actors, but it has become an start by simply going to and experi- ki, according to the book Omoshiroi Actors pass these names on from gen- unspoken rule that Shochiku is the encing a performance, stressing that hodo yoku wakaru kabuki (an easy eration to generation. company responsible for staging ka- even without prior knowledge, kabuki guide to kabuki) by Sho Munakata. For example, Ichikawa Ebizo’s fa- buki performances. can be enjoyed for its vibrant perfor- The Genroku Period (1688-1704) in ther, Ichikawa Danjuro, took over the ‘‘It’s a very peculiar world. We don’t mances and music, dramatic plots, the mid-Edo Period is considered ka- stage name in 1985 and is the 12th in exchange any written contracts with and colorful costumes and sets. buki’s golden age, when its structure line to assume the prestigious name our actors, but it’s been naturally con- “It’s not highbrow,’’ he said, “just and various styles were determined that dates back to Ichikawa Danjuro I. sidered our job when it came to man- pure entertainment.’’