Back from Kabuki
So I went to see Kabuki today and it was amazing! It was another one of those moments when I thought, "Oh my God, I'm really in Japan!" I mean it's one of those events that you can only view one place in the world. I just got back and many images are flying around in my head so rather than try to give a detailed account of the performance, I'm just going to ramble a bit.
My assistant on R&J, Kazuki, went with me and provided helpful bits of information along the way. His grandfather was a Kabuki actor as is his brother.
There were four pieces on the program and when that curtain first opens... well.... just gorgeous. The first piece (Matsu No Kotobuki Sambaso- The Puppet Sambaso) was all dance and movement which played right into my tastes. An amazing dancer (Ichikawa Somegoro) portrayed a puppet and he was just extraordinary-- the control and strength.... wow!
The second piece (Kajiwara Heizo Homore No Ishikiri- Stone Cutting Kajiwara) was originally a puppet play that was adapted to Kabuki in the 18th century. The plot is rather detailed but the thing that struck me most was the portrayal of the daughter in the piece which of course was played by a man and was beautiful.
The third piece was started out with a sort of pageant sequence that was very arresting and visually striking. Then the play continued and was at first a rather dark tale of murder, abuse, and greed. The second half of the play took a decidedly comic turn. Fascinating. the piece also seemed less formal in its acting style.
The final piece of the program was another dance sequence with the woman being portrayed by a very famous Kabuki actor who is apparently about 70 (!!)
All in all its about a 4 hour program but there are lengthy intermissions (between 15 and 30 minutes.)
The entrances on the Hanamichi (the extension that runs from the stage to the back of the auditorium) were beautiful and effective --- no wonder Western directors have taken to using the basic convention all the time. LOL
The actors do 2 shows daily every day (!!)
I loved the shouts from the audience (Kakegoe) through the performance when a particular actor entered or a when a certain moment impressed. They yell out the "house name" or Yago of the actor who they are praising. Each actor belongs to a specific acting house where they train.
I feel like this post is all dry info and not even detailed info but I wanted to get something down right after I got back. I will write more later. It was really amazing and beautiful and entrancing which is why I feel a bit inarticulate about the experience at the moment. My head is swimming.
joe
www.JoeCalarco.net
My assistant on R&J, Kazuki, went with me and provided helpful bits of information along the way. His grandfather was a Kabuki actor as is his brother.
There were four pieces on the program and when that curtain first opens... well.... just gorgeous. The first piece (Matsu No Kotobuki Sambaso- The Puppet Sambaso) was all dance and movement which played right into my tastes. An amazing dancer (Ichikawa Somegoro) portrayed a puppet and he was just extraordinary-- the control and strength.... wow!
The second piece (Kajiwara Heizo Homore No Ishikiri- Stone Cutting Kajiwara) was originally a puppet play that was adapted to Kabuki in the 18th century. The plot is rather detailed but the thing that struck me most was the portrayal of the daughter in the piece which of course was played by a man and was beautiful.
The third piece was started out with a sort of pageant sequence that was very arresting and visually striking. Then the play continued and was at first a rather dark tale of murder, abuse, and greed. The second half of the play took a decidedly comic turn. Fascinating. the piece also seemed less formal in its acting style.
The final piece of the program was another dance sequence with the woman being portrayed by a very famous Kabuki actor who is apparently about 70 (!!)
All in all its about a 4 hour program but there are lengthy intermissions (between 15 and 30 minutes.)
The entrances on the Hanamichi (the extension that runs from the stage to the back of the auditorium) were beautiful and effective --- no wonder Western directors have taken to using the basic convention all the time. LOL
The actors do 2 shows daily every day (!!)
I loved the shouts from the audience (Kakegoe) through the performance when a particular actor entered or a when a certain moment impressed. They yell out the "house name" or Yago of the actor who they are praising. Each actor belongs to a specific acting house where they train.
I feel like this post is all dry info and not even detailed info but I wanted to get something down right after I got back. I will write more later. It was really amazing and beautiful and entrancing which is why I feel a bit inarticulate about the experience at the moment. My head is swimming.
joe
www.JoeCalarco.net
posted by Joe's News at 8:52 PM
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