LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Kabuki Theater
built 634 days ago
Kabuki theater with its highly stylized use of sound, movement, and acting lends itself well to the tale of Macbeth, making its commentary on human greed and hunger for power even more accessible than the original. Sato’s scenes are short and razor crisp, and under his direction, this dark tragedy unfolds at a compelling pace.
Source:
Kabuki is truly a theatrical spectacle, combining form, color and sound into one of the world's great theatrical traditions. But as far as dipping your toe into this particular cultural pond is concerned, a half hour spent at the Kabukiza theater in Tokyo, Shin-Kabukiza in Osaka or the Minamiza in Kyoto is probably all you'll need. At Kabukiza, for example, there is a separate box-office for seats on the 4th floor, where you can enjoy a single part of the program for as little as 500 yen. Seats for the full program range in price from 2,400 yen to 16,000 yen. An English "Earphone Guide" is available (except on the 4th floor) to give you the rundown on what's going on and ... give you a bit of background. Feel free to get up and leave when you've had enough!
Source:
The Kabukiza is a Kabuki theatre located in Tokyo. It was first built in 1889, but was destroyed by fire in 1921, then as it was being rebuilt, an earthquake wrecked it in 1923. It was again rebuilt in 1924 by Okada Shinichiro. It was bombed in 1945 leaving only the outer walls. It was again rebuilt and reopened in 1951.
Source:
Kabuki is one of the three major classical theaters of Japan, with Noh drama and Bunraku Puppet Theater. Unlike Noh drama, which is solemn and ritualized, Kabuki is designed to entertain an audience with dramatic, often spectacular, effects.
Source:
A final important aspect of today's Kabuki theater is the use of color. This is shown in the curtain and the costumes. Black, for example means darkness and death. The costumes may be realistic to show a certain period of time or everyday, normal dress. Others may be drastically unrealistic to make a point and intrigue the imagination of the audience members. Although Kabuki remains native to Japan, in the 1990's it has been performed in three countries including the United States, Germany and Portugal.
Source:
Kabuki and Tokugawa Thought-The kabuki theater often incorporates the prevailing moral notions of Tokugawa society as the mechanism upon which plots turn. For example, inga oho (law of retributive justice), a Buddhist notion, may result in the destruction of an evildoer or the bestowal of prosperity and happiness upon a longsuffering woman. The notion of MUJO (the impermanence of all things)... derived from Buddhism, may be illustrated by the fall of a powerful military leader or the demise of a proud family. Certain ethical notions based on Confucian traditions, such as duty, obligation, and filial piety, may come into direct conflict with personal desires and passions, leading to a series of dramatic situations (see GIRI AND NINJO).
Source:
MORE ABOUT
Kabuki Theater