Kabuki

is a traditional form of Japanese classical drama which started about 400 years ago. It is known for its very stylized acting and the elaborate makeup worn by the actors.

The word kabuki means "singing and dancing", and also means "to act strange and different, to be outside what is normal". The style of kabuki is not meant to look like real life.

People from around the world are now interested in kabuki. It was recognized by UNESCO in 2006 as an important part of Japan's cultural history.

## History 
### 16031629 
Kabuki theater started during the Edo period (16031868). Kabuki was started by a woman, Izumo no Okuni, who performed in the dry river bed in Kyoto in 1603. It was very popular, especially because many of the stories and dance moves were about sex. Many of the women performers were probably prostitutes, and it was thought that kabuki disturbed discipline. This caused women to be banned from performing in kabuki plays in 1629. Beautiful young men replaced women in female roles, but in 1652 they were also banned, for the same reason.

The most famous theatre in Japan is the *Kabuki-za*. It was built in Tokyo in 1889. It was built as western-style theater. The interior decorations were Japanese style but the outside was brick walls and it was a three-storied theater at first. The interior decorations and outside changed many time. Kabuki theaters have long histories and they are unique.

## Plays 
Famous authors of kabuki plays include Chikamatsu Monzaemon (16531724), Tsuruya Nanmboku (1755–1829), and Kawatake Mokuami (1816–1893).

Kabuki plays can be put into three main groups *Jidaimono*, *Sewamono* and *Shosagoto*. The *Jidaimono* are plays which show the world of samurais or court nobles before the Edo period. The government banned performances that showed the history of the Edo period. *Sewamono* are plays about the lives of the town people in the Edo period. *Shosagoto* are plays that feature dance.

*Gidayu kyogen* or *Maruhonmono* are kabuki plays that were first written as puppet plays. They were turned into kabuki plays when they became famous. *Shin kabuki* are plays which were written by writers who did not normally write kabuki plays.

## Stage makeup 
, 1794.]]
Kabuki makeup helps audiences understand each character's role. It is special and emphasizes beauty of form. If an actor plays the role of a daughter or a man in love, he must apply makeup. First, he rubs grease, which is made of canola oil and perfume, into his face. Second, he paints out eyebrow with grease. Third, he rubs face powder on chest, neck, long hair and spreads powder with sponge. Next, he rubs face powder on face with sponge. Also, he puts rouge on nose, eyes cheek and the outer corner of the eye. He paints his eyebrow from red to black and he rubs lip with red lip stick and traces the outline clearly.

If the actor is playing a brave man, called *Aragoto*, he paints on rouge with red and black lines, *Kumadori*, to show brave feelings. *Kumadori* is a type of kabuki's make up. It was started in 1673 by Danjyurou Ichikawa. It shows the character's role, for example, *Sujiguma* is one of the *kamadori* showing a super hero.

## Commonly used kabuki words 
Modern Japanese has many words that came from kabuki words. For example, there are three famous words; the first is an *ohako*. *Ohako* means skillful things. Japanese often say the *ohako* is own good tune with karaoke. The *ohako* is derived from a word from Danjuro Ichikawa. He kept the kabuki plays of his good kabuki in a box. The *ohako* originated in there.

The second is a *nimaime*. The *nimaime* means a good-looking man. The *nimaime* was written secondarily from the right in the signboard of the kabuki. Therefore, it came to be said so.

The third is a *sanmaime*. The *sanmaime* means a comedian. The origin of this word is the same as *nimaime*, *sanmaime* was written third from the right in the signboard of the kabuki.

## Today 
In the 21st century, kabuki actors often perform for people who are not from Japan. The group *Heisei Nakamuraza*, directed by Nakamura Kanzaburou, have become famous for their performances in foreign countries. They were the first traditional kabuki group to perform in New York City in 2004, with actor Nakamura Kankuro V. They used a tent as a playhouse near the opera house. The audience sat on tatami (Japanese mats). They performed "The Summer Festival: A Mirror of Osaka" with Japanese actors. In July 2008, *Heisei Nakamuraza* again performed in New York and they played in English.

In Australia, the Za Kabuki group at the Australian National University began performing kabuki drama each year in 1976. This is the longest regular kabuki performance outside of Japan.

## Other websites 
* Short video of a kabuki performance
* Invitation to Kabuki

## References