Japanese Kabuki Theatre

This art form was created by Okuni, a female shrine attendant in the 17th century. Originally preformed in the dry bed of the Kamo river. Okuni, dressed in mens clothing and a christian rosary, preformed scenes of assignations with prostitutes. Kabuki, originally meaning "tilted" or "off-kilter", is now written with the three japanese characters music, dance, and craft or skill. During this time Kabuki was frowned upon for its immoral content in the confucian orientated culture of the time. So in 1629 the Tokugawa banned women from preforming in the style. 


Kabuki plays are about historical events, moral conflicts, love relationships and the like. The actors use an old fashioned language which is difficult to understand even for some Japanese people. Actors speak in somewhat monotonous voices accompanied by traditional Japanese instruments. The costumes of the performers usually held the family crest of the actor, giving honor to the family. 

In this Photo the traditional Kabuki stage is shown as well with a few of the special effects that were used. 

In this photo we see 3 actors during a scene. Two of them portraying women, this is part of the Kabuki tradition.