JAPANESE THEATER
Japanese theaters have been around since the 14th century and are broken down into 3 groups:
1. Noh Theater - Is the oldest form of traditional Japanese theater based on Zen Buddhist depicting life and death. The main actor wear painted masks.
Noh is a symbolic theater that is focused on ancient rituals and language. It's sister art form Kyogen is made to make people laugh.
2. Kabuki Theater - is a traditional form of Japanese play that focuses on the love or historical events. The characters will paint their faces white.
3. Bunraku Theater - is a traditional form of Japanese puppet theater.
1. Noh Theater - Is the oldest form of traditional Japanese theater based on Zen Buddhist depicting life and death. The main actor wear painted masks.
Noh is a symbolic theater that is focused on ancient rituals and language. It's sister art form Kyogen is made to make people laugh.
2. Kabuki Theater - is a traditional form of Japanese play that focuses on the love or historical events. The characters will paint their faces white.
3. Bunraku Theater - is a traditional form of Japanese puppet theater.
NOH THEATER
Noh play are set by tradition and training. No producers, directors or designers. There are no more then 2 to 3 actors, 4 musicians and 6 to 8 chorus chanters.
Shite - The leading role (Often wear a mask)
Waki - Supporting role or side actor. (Never wear a mask)
Kouken - Actor perform between two acts
Hayashi - Musician that plays four instruments
Jiutai - Chorus of 6 to 8
Shite - The leading role (Often wear a mask)
Waki - Supporting role or side actor. (Never wear a mask)
Kouken - Actor perform between two acts
Hayashi - Musician that plays four instruments
Jiutai - Chorus of 6 to 8
Mask
Noh is a type of masque, that is performed by actors with masks.
There are 60 basic types of masks worn by the main characters of Noh plays, referred to as the 'Shite'.
The masks are made by large blocks of Japanese cypress, with varied degrees allowing just one mask to show by the smallest degree in movement of the position of the head to express a different emotions by the the way the lighting and angle reflect towards the crowd.
The mask will usually portray females, old men, children or nonhuman characters such as demons, ghosts or animals.
Here is an example of one 'hawk mask' showing different expressions with the tilting of the head
There are 60 basic types of masks worn by the main characters of Noh plays, referred to as the 'Shite'.
The masks are made by large blocks of Japanese cypress, with varied degrees allowing just one mask to show by the smallest degree in movement of the position of the head to express a different emotions by the the way the lighting and angle reflect towards the crowd.
The mask will usually portray females, old men, children or nonhuman characters such as demons, ghosts or animals.
Here is an example of one 'hawk mask' showing different expressions with the tilting of the head
Fan
The most popular prop used when performing a Noh play, is a fan.
The fan is used as a tool like a baseball glove would, it gives the illusion of making the hand look bigger. Without the fan the actors hands are difficult to see.
The fan is useful in making the crowd understand the forms and actions by the opening, closing and folding of the fan. Some also feel the fan is used as an antenna for religious ceremonies. The movement of the fan is also used to signal between scenes.
The main character ( the 'shite' ) acts as a conductor at a symphony and will use the fan as a baton to give instruction to the actors.
The fan is used as a tool like a baseball glove would, it gives the illusion of making the hand look bigger. Without the fan the actors hands are difficult to see.
The fan is useful in making the crowd understand the forms and actions by the opening, closing and folding of the fan. Some also feel the fan is used as an antenna for religious ceremonies. The movement of the fan is also used to signal between scenes.
The main character ( the 'shite' ) acts as a conductor at a symphony and will use the fan as a baton to give instruction to the actors.
KABUKI THEATER
Kabuki is an old fashion traditional Japanese play that dates back from the early 17th century. Generations follow in their ancestor footsteps and have a generation number after their names to show the long line of actors in place.
Showmanship is an art form. The costumes are elaborate, the make-up is eye painted white and the wigs are the shaped to be seen from far away. Every action movement is exaggerated in a big way and the Japanese find it hard to understand the language since its old fashion.
Kabuki can be watched in theaters to this day.
Hanamichi
What makes Kabuki stage different from other Japanese theaters is the footbridge (hanamichi) that leads right into the crowd. The actors are able to create dramatic entrance or exits with revolving platforms and trapdoors for quick changing of scence.
The live music and the attention of the audience are a big part of making a Kabuki play 3D in today's time.
The live music and the attention of the audience are a big part of making a Kabuki play 3D in today's time.
Bunraku
Bunraku plays are made up of all puppets. The actors operating the puppets are called puppeteers and it takes 3 puppeteers to jointly operate a main character. The puppeteers appear on stage with the a full size puppet. The main puppeteer will appears bare-faced on stage, while the other puppeteer are invisible in some black hoods.
Manipulating the facial expression of the puppet such as the eyelids, eyeballs, eyebrows, mouth, and the right arm is the job of the main puppeteer . A first puppeteer assistant operates the left arm only, and a second puppeteer assistant the legs.
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Puppet heads and costumes represent character types not individual characters
The voice of the puppet is performed by a chanter (tayu) and they are the voice for all of the puppets. The chanter will be sitting to the right of the stage on a slightly elevated platform. The musical part of the play is handled by the shamisen player.
Perfect synchronization of the Puppet, the Chanter and Shamisen is the art of Bunraku play and achieving these three elements for the best intense dramatic effect.
Manipulating the facial expression of the puppet such as the eyelids, eyeballs, eyebrows, mouth, and the right arm is the job of the main puppeteer . A first puppeteer assistant operates the left arm only, and a second puppeteer assistant the legs.
.
Puppet heads and costumes represent character types not individual characters
The voice of the puppet is performed by a chanter (tayu) and they are the voice for all of the puppets. The chanter will be sitting to the right of the stage on a slightly elevated platform. The musical part of the play is handled by the shamisen player.
Perfect synchronization of the Puppet, the Chanter and Shamisen is the art of Bunraku play and achieving these three elements for the best intense dramatic effect.
Geisha Girl
What are Geisha?
A Geisha is a traditional Japanese female entertainers who act as hostesses.
To become geisha you need to go through extensive training to keep improving skills and that can be done only by taking many lessons.
The skills of a Geisha include traditional Japanese dance, singing, playing instruments like shamisen (three stringed instrument), and more. Elegant performances of geisha keep attracting many people from around the world.
There are two basic types of geisha:
1. Tachikata - traditional Japanese dance (mai).
2. Jikata - sing or play instruments
A Geisha is a traditional Japanese female entertainers who act as hostesses.
To become geisha you need to go through extensive training to keep improving skills and that can be done only by taking many lessons.
The skills of a Geisha include traditional Japanese dance, singing, playing instruments like shamisen (three stringed instrument), and more. Elegant performances of geisha keep attracting many people from around the world.
There are two basic types of geisha:
1. Tachikata - traditional Japanese dance (mai).
2. Jikata - sing or play instruments