Japanese Theatre

Noh

Did you Noh….

 Noh is a highly stylized form of theatre that enacts stories from Japan’s classical literature.

The Plays

 Content of the Noh play is almost always tragic.  Written in prose or in verse  Performances are a day long, but the Noh play itself are very short (1 hr)

The Stage

The stage

    Temple roof supported by 4 columns – First Actor, Pillar, Mark Pillar, and Flute Players Pillar – Each of these represents either the placement of the actor’s entrance, or the part of the stage in which the musician stands Hurry door- used by minor characters, musicians, stage assistants for quick entrances and exits. 3 real small pine trees – They stand for heaven, earth, and man along the pebble path Epiphany Pine- painted on the center wall representing spirituality.

The Stage breakdown

The Pebble Path Pine Representing Earth Pine Representing Man Pine Representing Heaven Staircase

Masks & Costumes

 Noh masks can convey several different emotions and pictures  Masks are worn when portraying a female or supernatural beings  Costumes do not resemble the SES of the character they portray.

Japanese Theatre

Kabuki

What is Kabuki?

  Kabuki- meaning “off balance” or “unconventional”  Ka for music, bu for dance, and ki for skill An energetic form of theatre that began around 1600 by Okuni.  She drew inspiration from Buddhist dances with contemporary forms Plays that once lasted a full day, but today only last about 5 hours.  Includes themes of feuds, revenge, adventure, and romance

Kabuki Acting

 Highly stylized form of story telling  The audience is aware they are in the theatre watching a play.  Actors specialize in certain characters.  Movement is also stylized

The Plays

 The text of the play is less important than the acting.  To reveal emotions they display exaggerated facial expressions and strike dramatic poses.  Very similar to Western musicals

The Stage

 Combines a proscenium stage and a thrust stage.  Who can tell me what these are?

 Hamamichi- “Flower path” The stage connects to a ramp that runs to the rear of the auditorium.  This runway is used by actors for dramatic entrances and exits.  Musicians sit on stage

Role of Women in Kabuki

 Okuni began origins of Kabuki in Japanese culture  However, in the mid 1600’s women were banned from kabuki for engaging in prostitution.  As a result male Kabuki performers were then to portray women on stage, thus creating

ONNAGATA

Role of Men in Kabuki

 When women became banned men began to portray female roles (just like Shakespeare)  Studying the art of Kabuki is begun in childhood  It is an art that is passed down over generations.

Spectacle- Makeup

 Known as

Kumadori

 Not realistic looking  The face is painted with white and bold lines, mostly red or blue.  Red lines= Virtue/ strength  Blue= Evil

Spectacle Costumes & Scenery

What are some differences between Noh and Kabuki?

Similarities

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Differenes

  Noh uses masks, Kabuki uses makeup Noh is subtle in movemnts, Kabuki is loud

Bunraku Japanese Theatre

What is Bunraku?

 Japanese puppet theatre!

 First signs of use in the 16 th – Flourished in 1872- 19 th C. century  This is not what western culture thinks of when they think of puppet show

What Makes it Different?

 These puppets are NOT marrionets, sock or hand puppets.  Bunraku puppets stand about about 3 feet tall  They are controlled by a series of pullies and strings controlled by 3 puppeteers  Another unique component is that they control facial expressions as well (Think Sesame Street, but cooler!)

The Play

 The first “townsfolk” plays  The plays first started out more historical, legendary, or heroic tales  Then turned to actual incidents- like love suicide

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Puppeteers

These puppeteers are seen by the audience- very different from western theatre  The main puppeteer controls the head – The main puppeteer’s face remains uncovered – The other puppeteers are in blacks from head to toe. This creates the idea that they are “invisible” to the audience.

Cont.

 The puppeteers become one with the puppet.  They all must work together to create a realistic character through the puppet.  It can take years to become the main puppeteer- can take up to thirty years!