Japanese TheatreJapanese Theatre

NohNoh

Did you Noh….Did you Noh….

Noh is a highly stylized form of Noh is a highly stylized form of theatre that enacts stories from theatre that enacts stories from

Japan’s classical literature.Japan’s classical literature.

The PlaysThe Plays

Content of the Noh play is almost Content of the Noh play is almost always tragic. always tragic.

Written in prose or in verseWritten in prose or in verse Performances are a day long, but the Performances are a day long, but the

Noh play itself are very short (1 hr)Noh play itself are very short (1 hr)

The StageThe Stage

The stageThe stage Temple roof supported by 4 columns Temple roof supported by 4 columns

– First Actor, Pillar, Mark Pillar, and Flute Players PillarFirst Actor, Pillar, Mark Pillar, and Flute Players Pillar– Each of these represents either the placement of the Each of these represents either the placement of the

actor’s entrance, or the part of the stage in which the actor’s entrance, or the part of the stage in which the musician stands musician stands

Hurry door- used by minor characters, musicians, Hurry door- used by minor characters, musicians, stage assistants for quick entrances and exits. stage assistants for quick entrances and exits.

3 real small pine trees3 real small pine trees– They stand for heaven, earth, and man along the pebble They stand for heaven, earth, and man along the pebble

pathpath Epiphany Pine- painted on the center wall Epiphany Pine- painted on the center wall

representing spirituality. representing spirituality.

The Stage breakdownThe Stage breakdown

Pine Representing Man

Pine Representing Earth

Pine Representing Heaven

The Pebble Path

Staircase

Masks & CostumesMasks & Costumes

Noh masks can convey several Noh masks can convey several different emotions and picturesdifferent emotions and pictures

Masks are worn when portraying a Masks are worn when portraying a female or supernatural beingsfemale or supernatural beings

Costumes do not resemble the SES of the Costumes do not resemble the SES of the

character they character they

portray. portray.

Japanese TheatreJapanese Theatre

KabukiKabuki

What is Kabuki?What is Kabuki? Kabuki- meaning “off balance” or Kabuki- meaning “off balance” or “unconventional”“unconventional” Ka for music, bu for dance, and ki for Ka for music, bu for dance, and ki for skillskillAn energetic form of theatre that An energetic form of theatre that began around 1600 by Okuni. began around 1600 by Okuni.

She drew inspiration from Buddhist She drew inspiration from Buddhist dances with contemporary formsdances with contemporary forms

Plays that once lasted a full day, but Plays that once lasted a full day, but today only last about 5 hours. today only last about 5 hours. Includes themes of feuds, revenge, Includes themes of feuds, revenge, adventure, and romanceadventure, and romance

Kabuki ActingKabuki Acting

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

The PlaysThe Plays

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

The StageThe Stage Combines a proscenium Combines a proscenium stage and a thrust stage. stage and a thrust stage.

Who can tell me what these Who can tell me what these are?are?

Hamamichi- “Flower path” Hamamichi- “Flower path” The stage connects to a ramp The stage connects to a ramp that runs to the rear of the that runs to the rear of the auditorium. auditorium.

This runway is used by actors This runway is used by actors for dramatic entrances and for dramatic entrances and exits. exits.

Musicians sit on stageMusicians sit on stage

Role of Women in Role of Women in KabukiKabuki

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

Role of Men in KabukiRole of Men in Kabuki

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

Spectacle- Makeup Spectacle- Makeup Known as Known as KumadoriKumadoriNot realistic looking Not realistic looking The face is painted with The face is painted with white and bold lines, mostly white and bold lines, mostly red or blue. red or blue. Red lines= Virtue/ strengthRed lines= Virtue/ strengthBlue= EvilBlue= Evil

Spectacle- Spectacle- Costumes & Costumes &

Scenery Scenery

What are some differences What are some differences between Noh and Kabuki?between Noh and Kabuki?

DifferenesDifferenes Noh uses masks, Noh uses masks,

Kabuki uses makeupKabuki uses makeup Noh is subtle in Noh is subtle in

movemnts, Kabuki is movemnts, Kabuki is loudloud

SimilaritiesSimilarities

BunrakuBunraku

Japanese TheatreJapanese Theatre

What is Bunraku?What is Bunraku?

Japanese puppet theatre!Japanese puppet theatre! First signs of use in the 16First signs of use in the 16thth century century

– Flourished in 1872- 19Flourished in 1872- 19thth C. C. This is not what western culture This is not what western culture

thinks of when they think of puppet thinks of when they think of puppet showshow

What Makes it Different?What Makes it Different? These puppets are NOT marrionets, These puppets are NOT marrionets,

sock or hand puppets. sock or hand puppets. Bunraku puppets stand about about 3 Bunraku puppets stand about about 3

feet tallfeet tall They are controlled by a series of pullies They are controlled by a series of pullies

and strings controlled by 3 puppeteersand strings controlled by 3 puppeteers Another unique component is that they Another unique component is that they

control facial expressions as well (Think control facial expressions as well (Think Sesame Street, but cooler!)Sesame Street, but cooler!)

The PlayThe Play The first “townsfolk” playsThe first “townsfolk” plays The plays first started out The plays first started out

more historical, legendary, more historical, legendary, or heroic talesor heroic tales

Then turned to actual Then turned to actual incidents- like love suicide incidents- like love suicide

PuppeteersPuppeteers These puppeteers are seen by the These puppeteers are seen by the

audience- very different from western audience- very different from western theatre theatre

The main puppeteer controls the headThe main puppeteer controls the head– The main puppeteer’s face remains The main puppeteer’s face remains

uncovereduncovered– The other puppeteers are in blacks from The other puppeteers are in blacks from

head to toe. This creates head to toe. This creates

the idea that they are the idea that they are

“ “invisible” to the invisible” to the

audience. audience.

Cont.Cont.

The puppeteers become one with the The puppeteers become one with the puppet. puppet.

They all must work together to They all must work together to create a realistic character through create a realistic character through the puppet. the puppet.

It can take years to become the main It can take years to become the main puppeteer- can take up to thirty puppeteer- can take up to thirty years!years!