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Kabuki, literally meaning 'song and dance' is a seventeenth century genre of Japanese theatre. With gorgeous costumes, exuberant music and elaborate stage settings, these plays seek to narrate their stories with an epical magnificence. Kabuki was once performed solely by males, whose sensational acts often served as a source of enlightenment for the masses. In the absence of a written script, the plays were often improvisations, and the actors digressed from the determined plot, thus making the plays more spontaneous. A highly stylized way of acting and a vibrant getup marked the Kabuki from other forms of theatre. Kabuki continues to be a popular art form even today, and has received its impetus through Kabuki-za, one of the most popular entertainment zones for staging Kabuki in Tokyo. The hall staged its first performance way back in 1889. An ancient Meiji era construction was modified to serve as the theatre ground. Fire and earthquake however, reduced the original building to the grounds, and the new baroque reconstruction was also demolished by the air raids of the Second World War. Kabuki-za was revived once more and with a touch of the 16th century architecture, the hall stands today as the nerve centre of Japanese theatre. The new building has been designed with 2000 seats and new technical devices to heighten the theatrical effects. Stage props and artificial arrangements like trap doors called 'seri', and a revolving stage have reached Kabuki to its excellence. The spectators are even provided with booklets and earphones for a better understanding of the ongoing action. Kabuki-za stages plays every day, and tickets are available both online, and in the hall itself. About eight or nine productions are launched each year, and the daily performances last from 11 in the morning till 9 at night .The audiences can opt to see either the entire play or an isolated act. In fact, the Japanese theatrical custom does not hinder any spectator from leaving or entering the hall in the midst of a performance, which can actually linger for an entire day. How to reach Kabuki-za: The hall is located at trifling distance from the Higashi Ginza Station in the Hibiya and Toei Asakusa subway line. It is barely a ten minutes ride from the Tokyo station, and half an hour away from Shinjuku station. Contact Kabuki-za: Address: 4-12-5 Ginza, Tokyo 104-0061, Japan
Telephone: 81-3-3541-3131 Kabuki-za has fostered Kabuki for decades, and in spite of the technical additions in the hall, one can still savor the richness of the time hallowed oriental art form which has been enchanting all with its splendor.
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