There are a variety of kabuki performances played at theaters in Japan. Since each performance reflects the life and thoughts of the people in Japan, watching a performance allows the audience to understand a part of its culture.
However, there are more than 300 kabuki plays, and it can be a bit overwhelming to choose the ones to watch first. Also, since kabuki is performed only in a few theaters in Japan, it may be helpful to have a list of them if you actually plan to travel in a few months.
In this article, we will introduce five famous plays and eight theaters that let you enjoy the best kabuki experience.
This is the second article in the series on kabuki. For more information about the history and basic rules when watching kabuki, please read 「First 5 Things You Should Know About Kabuki 」.
Contents
3 Kabuki Categories
Kabuki plays can be broadly classified into jidaimono, sewamono, and sokosagoto.
- Jidaimono: Historical dramas that often feature legends from folklore.
- Sengimono: Stories feature the ordinary lives of people in towns but often include some sensational scenes such as murder or double suicide.
- Shosagoto: Stories progress with traditional Japanese dance and accompanying music.
5 famous performances
Among so many numerous kabuki plays, here you have the five most famous ones that we recommend for your first experience.
Kanadehon Chushingura
Kanadehon Chushingura is a kabuki play that originated as a popular puppet play called Ningyo Joruri, a revenge story based on a real situation that occurred during the years 1701-1703. In the story, Asano Takuminokami wounds Kira Kozukenosuke at Edo Castle, causing him to commit seppuku (ritual suicide) and the Ako domain, which he ruled, to be severed. The story of the 47 Ako ronin, including Oishi Kuranosuke, a subordinate of Asano who decides to avenge their master’s honor by killing Kira is filled with the tragedies of various characters.
Kanjincho
In this play, Minamoto no Yoshitsune, who had incurred the wrath of his brother Minamoto no Yoritomo, the ruler of Japan in the Kamakura period, is on the run with his retainer Musashibo Benkei and others. They come across a guard, Togashi Saemon, at a check gate (sekisho), is a guard Togashi Saemon. While Yoshitsune is in danger to get caught, Benkei is desperate to save his master, and Togashi gets touched by Benkei’s loyalty. The conflicting emotions of each character are depicted very convincingly.
Tokaido Yotsuya Ghost Story
Yotsuya Ghost Story, or Yotsuya Kaidan, is one of the all-time masterpieces of the Japanese horror genre. The story is about Oiwa, who was savagely murdered by her husband Iemon and became a ghost to get her revenge. The stage effects always startle and shiver the audience.
Renjishi
Renjishi is a story depicting strict training and love between a father and a son of shishi (lion). There is a legend in Japan that shishi cubs, even after being kicked down by their parents, will always muster up the strength to rise. The courage with which the child responds to his father’s harsh education is moving. Another highlight of this masterpiece is the flamboyant costumes and the vigorous hair-swinging that expresses the lion’s madness.
Musume Doujouji
Musume Doujouji is a masterpiece in the kabuki dance, featuring a young girl Kiyohime who falls in love with a monk Anchin. Kiyohime becomes a giant snake out of jealousy over Anchin‘s attitude and chases him, finally burning him to death as he flees into the bell of the Doujouji Temple. The temple, where the bell was burned, then became forbidden to women and had no bell. You will also be impressed by the dances that express the woman’s emotions in various ways and is the main highlight of the performance.
8 Kabuki theaters
To help you find the most accessible and attractive ones, here is a list of eight popular kabuki theaters in Japan with some brief information.
Kabukiza Theatre (Tokyo)
This is the only theater in the world where kabuki can be seen all year round. Known as the hall of fame for kabuki, the Kabukiza Theatre has been attracting large audiences since its birth in the Meiji era (1868-1912).
Official site: Kabukiza Theatre(English)
Shimbashi Enbujo (Tokyo)
The theater offers a wide variety of kabuki plays, including new works and super kabuki, which we talked about in our previous article.
Official site: Shimbashi Enbujo(English)
National Theatre of Japan (Tokyo)
Consisting of three halls in two buildings, not only kabuki but all kinds of Japanese performing arts including bunraku and nihon buyo (traditional Japanese dance) are performed at the National Theatre of Japan.
Official site: National Theatre of Japan(English)
Asakusa Public Hall (Tokyo)
The Asakusa Public Hall is a theater where the “New Year Asakusa Kabuki” is performed every January. The performance has become a favorite among young people and beginners because of its short running time and less expensive tickets.
Official site: Asakusa Public Hall (English)
Misonoza (Aichi)
The theater is working to attract new fans by offering discounts for students and one-act shows at low prices.
Official site: Misonoza (Japanese Only)
Minamiza Theatre (Kyoto)
Located in Kyoto, the birthplace of kabuki, where Okuni is said to have started the “Kabuki Dance”. For more information on the history of kabuki, please check the aforementioned article [link].
Official site: Minamiza Theatre (English)
Osaka Shochikuza Theatre (Osaka)
The Osaka Shochikuza Theatre is known for its facade as the “Arc de Triomphe of Dotonbori” for its distinctive neo-renaissance style.
Official site: Osaka Shochikuza Theatre (English)
Hakataza Theater (Fukuoka)
The Hakataza Theater is Japan’s only publicly owned and privately operated theater. There are many restaurants around the theater to enjoy before or after the show.
Official site: Hakataza Theater (Japanese Only)
Summary
In this article, we introduced five kabuki masterpieces and eight theaters to set you off on your kabuki journey in Japan. We hope you will include a theater visit or two in your next trip plan to Japan!
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