japanese

• Kabuki began in the Edo period, famous in lower class than higher class.
• 1603 - first performance of Okuni, shrine dancer at Kyoto, combination of religious and folk dance.
• Kabuki comprises of 3 japanese characters.

  KA - songs

  BU - dance

  KI - skill
• CHARACTERISTICS OF KABUKI

  Dance - first performers dance with a blend of folk and religious dance

  Costume - stress the role portrayed, shows latest fashion or style of the present day

  Make-up - another element important in kabuki performance

  Music - used as sound effect like wooden clapper, signals the start and end of the play
• Hyoshigi - known also as "ki" and "tanniki", wooden clapper used in ceremonial music in kabuki play to signal beginning and end in the kabuki
• Hayashi - musical ensemble for kabuki, a live performance of the shamisen players
• Debayashi - onstage music performance in full view

  • divided into two consisting of a song or chant, with highly dramatic recitation with shamisen as musical accompaniment
  • onstage segment, located right behind the Geza.
  • NAGAUTA - performed on tiered platform at the backstage, instruments used: shamisen, flute, drums, singers
  • JORURI - located at the left side of the stage
• Hyudorodoro - used to mark the appearance of the ghost play by the instruments of flutes and drum
• Geza - music used for some special effects in kabuki, musicians are invisible (Kagebayash - hidden musicians), and the audience are seated at the lower seats of the stage. Enhanced through the use of special drums, gongs, bells, and cymbals.