Online dictionary of history and traditions in Japan: kabuki

Page number: 1

Chikamatsu Monzaemon

近松門左衛門
alternative words: Monzaemon Chikamatsu
keywords: famous person , kabuki , theater , writer
related topics: Edo period , Kabuki , Bunraku , Ronin
related web sites: http://www.sonoda-u.ac.jp/chikamatsu/ , http://www.kosaiji.org/chikamatsu/ , http://www.kosaiji.org , http://www.d1.dion.ne.jp/~soyama/menu.htm
explanation: Born in 1653 in a samurai family of Fukui prefecture. As his father became a ronin, he worked as servant in a Kyoto's aristocrat and learnt to write. Becoming a popular scenario writer at the age 30, he worked most of time for Takemoto Gidayu's bunraku theater and Sakata Tojuro's kabuki theater. His favorite theme is men and women who suffer from a rigid social structure such as "Sonezaki shinju", "Meido no hikyaku", "Shinju ten no amijima". He died in 1724.

Hanamichi

花道
alternative words: Flower road, Flower path, Hanamichi ramp, Hana-michi, Hana michi
keywords: kabuki
related topics: Kabuki
explanation: Ramp used by Kabuki theater. It connects the stage and the back of auditorium and allows the actors to appear from behind of the spectators and even serves as an extra stage. Its normal position is slightly left from the median line of the auditorium but sometimes the second hanamichi is added on the right.

Kabuki

歌舞伎
alternative words: Kabuki Theater, Kabuki drama
keywords: kabuki , theater
related topics: Edo period , Hanamichi , Onnagata , Chikamatsu Monzaemon , Chushingura
related web sites: http://www.waseda.ac.jp/enpaku/gallery/gallery.html , http://www.netlaputa.ne.jp/~AKITSUKI/ , http://allabout.co.jp/entertainment/kabuki/
explanation: Kabuki is considered, with Noh and Joruri, one of the 3 major traditional theatrical arts in Japan. It was created by Izumono Okuni ca. 1600 in Kyoto. Initially played only by women, it had been forbidden by the government because of its erotic appearance. So it has become a drama played only by men and been very popular during Edo period. Originated from a dance, it keeps always a strong choreographic aspect.

Onnagata

女方女形
alternative words: Onna gata
keywords: kabuki , theater
related topics: Kabuki , Edo period
related web sites: http://member.nifty.ne.jp/AKAMEUSAGI/newpage6.htm , http://www.tamasaburo.co.jp
explanation: Initially Kabuki had been played only by females (Onna kabuki). After a ban to turn to female actors in 1629, at the beginning of Edo period, Kabuki has been used to be played only by men. The female role played by a man is called "Onnagata". Bando Tamasaburo is the most famous actor of this discipline. The term is also used in other dramas in Japan such as "Shingeki".

Sakata no kintaro

坂田金太郎坂田金時金太郎怪童丸
alternative words: Kintaro, Sakata no Kintoki, Sakatano Kintaro, Kaido maru, Kintarou
keywords: craft , famous person , kabuki , tale
related topics: Konjaku monogatari , Heian period , Edo period , Kabuki , Tango no sekku
related web sites: http://www.city.minamiashigara.kanagawa.jp/A/A0500/A0500.htm , http://www2c.airnet.ne.jp/toyo/
explanation: A legendary figure of Heian period and one of 4 followers (Shitenno) of Minamoto no Yorimitsu who killed a famous bandit, Shutendoji of Mt Oeyama. According to Konjaku monogatari he would be raised by a yamauba (mountain witch) and trained his force with bears at Mt Ashigara near Hakone. During Edo period, he appeared in Joruri and Kabuki plays as a red boy with an ax and a stomach cover. His doll is also set during the boy's festival (Tango no sekku) in May.

Page number: 1
5 articles extracted from postgresql database.