Japanese Kabuki Theatre

Japanese Kabuki Theatre is a form of traditional Japanese theatre that forms an integral part of Japanese culture. Kabuki Theatre is renowned for its elaborate make-up and its unique stylization. This form of theatre is also known as "the art of singing and dancing". It is popularly believed that the word kabuki has been derived from the verb "kabaku", which means "to lean", or "to be out of the ordinary". Thus Kabuki Theatre is also known as "avant-garde" or "bizarre" theatre.

Kabuki has evolved considerably since its genesis. It originated in the year 1603 when Okuni, a miko of Izumo Taisha initiated a new style of dance drama. The form became extremely popular and Okuni even performed before the imperial court. The popularity of the form resulted in the formation of many troupes and Kabuki became a major form of ensemble dance drama performed by women.

After its emergence the form underwent many changes; in between 1629 to 1652, the ruling Tokugawa shogunate banned women from the stage and Kabuki used to be performed by young male actors during this period. Things changed from 1653 onwards and new rules were established that allowed only the mature men to take part in Kabuki. During this period Kabuki became a highly stylized form that was inspired by the by kyogen comic theater. This form of Kabuki was known as the yar? kabuki. Kabuki prospered in the Genroku period and it was during this period that the structure of a Kabuki play was formalized. But then the prosperity of the form was short lived as Bunraku's growing popularity threatened Kabuki and in the mid- 18th century Bunraku overtook Kabuki in popularity. Kabuki was revived again in the 20th century and even today Kabuki Theatre remains extremely popular in Japan.

There are three categories of Kabuki play jidai-mono or historical, which deals with pre-Sengoku period stories; sewa-mono or domestic, which narrate post-Sengoku stories and shosagoto or dance pieces. One of the key features of the form is mie that enables the actor to hold a charming pose to establish his character. Kesh? or the make up of Kabuki Theatre is an indispensable aspect of the form as it endows the form with uniqueness and its quintessential style.

Today Kabuki is a major form of traditional theatre in Japan and it is not only popular in Japan but also in other parts of the world.