Kabuki

Kabuki is Japanese traditional form of dancing and singing. It is performed in a performed in a greatly stylized method. For almost four centuries, kabuki was the major theatrical form in Japan. Kabuki is the combination of music, dance, costuming, makeup, mimic, etc. The word is written with three characters: ka, signifying “song”; bu, “dance”; and ki, “skill.” Actors of kabuki have carried this tradition from one generation to other.

Kabuki, in Japan took place in 17 century. Female dancers here were named as OKUNI because they use to perform only at the place of worship. Okuni’s was the first dramatic entertainment for the tastes of the common folks in the Japan.

Make up is very important when it comes to Kabuki. Kabuki makeup which is called as kesho,is of two types. One is ‘standard makeup’ which is applied to most actors and other is ‘kumadori makeup’ which is applied to villains and heroes.

To punish the wicked or reward the honourable is the purpose of Kabuki. It entertains and allows the actors to demonstrate their skills and this whole process is called as “kanzen-chōaku”. Regular performances of Kabuki are held at the National Theatre in Tokyo. Kabuki thus moved away from its origins, an unsteady form of dance, and towards a formalist style of drama with a more rigid framework.