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Kabukiza Theatre
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Address: 4-12-5 Ginza, Chuo-Ku Tokyo
| About Theatre |
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The word "kabuki" means song, dance and technique.
Kabuki is the most popular form of traditional Japanese theater,
in which all the roles are played by men. The stage art of kabuki
is carried on a hereditary system, which means that a boy born
in a family of kabuki actor will most probably follow his father's
steps. Usually children of kabuki actors appear on the stage
as soon as they learn to walk. Kabuki performance becomes their
destination.
The first documented kabuki performance took place in Kyoto
at the beginning of the 17th century. The Kabukiza Theater started
to function in Tokyo a little later, in 1889, but it was immediately
recognized as the center of Japanese theater culture. Many times
the theater was badly damaged. For the first time, it happened
in 1921, when it was burned down. The rebuilding works were
incomplete when the Kabukiza Theater was destroyed by earthquake
in 1923. The restoration works were finished in December 1924.
The theater functioned during World War II until the massive
air raid on Tokyo on May, 1945. The outer walls of the theater
were all that remained. Only in 1951, the construction works
of the new theater were completed and the theater started to
give performances again. Since then many alterations have been
made to improve stage effects and enhance the comfort of the
audience.
In the Kabukiza Theater, there are 1600 seats. Stage curtain
of the theater is worthy special attention. The Kabukiza uses
3 traditional kabuki theater decoration colors: black, green
and orange. Colorful curtain gives the audience the impression
of traditional Japanese work.
All the actors appearing on the stage wear bright and sumptuous
costumes and unusual kumadori artistic make-up. Onnagata actors
specialize in performing female roles. They do it so vivid and
naturally that you could hardly believe they are men, not women.
The impression of the performance is amplified with the national
Japanese music the musicians play throughout the performance.
Kabuki essential characteristics are rhythmical lines spoken
by actors, colorful make-up and the stage full of mechanical
devices for special effects.
The Kabukiza theater repertoire includes Japanese parables,
historical and love plays. The most popular performances are
"Benkei in the Boat", "The Love Suicide at Amujima"
and "Moritsuna's Battle Camp".
The performances last up to 4 or 5 hours. Performances usually
start in the late morning. They take place almost every day.
Those who are not ready to spend 5 hours in the theater can
buy ticket for just one or two acts.
In the Kabukiza Theater, there is a special service for English-speaking
guests. It's called the English earphone guide. It provides
necessary comments and explanations relating to the plot, music,
actors, properties and other features of the Kabuki.
In the intermissions the audience is welcome to enjoy food of
Japanese-style restaurant or buy some souvenirs, including kabuki
goods and pictures of kabuki plays, in the special shopping
booth.
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