Kabuki is a traditional form of Japanese Theatre. This art form was created by Okuni, a female shrine attendant, in the 17th century.
There are no female actors. The male actors who play female roles are known as onnagata or oyama (such as 80-year old National Living Treasure Jakuemon). As kabuki gained a level of respectability, the importance of these roles increased. The first great onnagata was Yoshizawa Ayame I (1673~1729).
Many of the great kabuki actors have built their reputations solely on these roles. The performances are not so much 'acting' in the Western sense as stylized representations of female beauty or virtue. While early onnagata were required to maintain their feminine persona and dress even in their private lives, this practice was abolished in the Meiji Restoration of 1868.
Die-hards in the audience join in the action, calling out the yago (house or family name) of the actors at special moments in the performance. Standard male kabuki roles include the handsome lover, the virtuous hero or the evil samurai; for an onnagata, roles include the high-ranking samurai lady, the young maiden or the wicked woman.
Kabuki is truly a theatrical spectacle, combining form, color and sound into one of the world's great theatrical traditions. I took this photo (discretely) at the Kabukiza theater in Tokyo. I sat in the 4th floor and payed about $8.00. The cost of main floor tickets are over$200. (Click here for more info) |
