14 Facts About Kabuki

1.

Kabuki theatre is known for its heavily-stylised performances, the often-glamorous costumes worn by performers, and for the elaborate make-up worn by some of its performers.

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2.

Kabuki is thought to have originated in the very early Edo period, when founder Izumo no Okuni formed a female dance troupe who performed dances and light sketches in Kyoto.

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3.

Kabuki developed throughout the late 17th century and reached its zenith in the mid-18th century.

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4.

Kabuki is therefore sometimes translated as "the art of singing and dancing".

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5.

Kabuki became a common form of entertainment in the red-light districts of Japan, especially in Yoshiwara, the registered red-light district in Edo.

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6.

Kabuki theatres became well known as a place to both see and be seen in terms of fashion and style, as the audience—commonly comprising a number of socially low but economically wealthy merchants—typically used a performance as a way to feature the fashion trends.

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7.

Kabuki switched to adult male actors, called, in the mid-1600s.

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8.

Kabuki returned to the pleasure quarters of Edo, and throughout the Meiji period became increasingly more radical, as modern styles of kabuki plays and performances emerged.

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9.

Kabuki appears in works of Japanese popular culture such as anime.

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10.

The Oshika Kabuki troupe, based in Oshika, Nagano Prefecture, is one example.

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11.

Kabuki was inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists in 2005.

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12.

Super Kabuki has sparked controversy within the Japanese population regarding the extent of modification of the traditional art form.

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13.

Kabuki makeup provides an element of style easily recognizable even by those unfamiliar with the art form.

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14.

Kabuki actors are typically part of a school of acting, or are associated with a particular theatre.

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