Kabuki and Japanese Dance

Kabuki is a traditional form of Japanese theater. According to Mark Oshima, “Originally the word ‘kabuki’ meant something ‘off beat’ or not quite moral and began with colorfully dressed, swaggering ex-samurai, courtesans and other street people in the early Edo period. Today the word is written with characters for ‘song,’ ‘dance,’ and ‘acting.’ These are the key elements of kabuki.” Since early on all roles have been performed by men. The men who perform the roles of women are called “onnagata.”

Below is Mark Oshima in the role of singer and a shamisen player.





Nihon Buyo, classical Japanese dance, is a genre of Japanese theater closely related to Kabuki. The performers wear elaborate kimono and traditional hairstyles and makeup similar to those of the geisha who were also accomplished musicians, storytellers, and dancers. Below you will see images of Nishikawa Masaki who provided a demonstration of the make-up, costume, and wig necessary for Nihon Buyo on November 17, 2000 in Tokyo, Japan.

Here is a series of images of Nishikawa Masaki applying her make-up.









Movies from the Kabuki Performance

Here is a movie showing Nishikawa Masaki applying her make-up.

Here is a movie showing Nishikawa Masaki performing a traditional Japanese Dance.

For more specific information on Kabuki, visit these links:

Kabuki for Everyone
Kabuki Traditional Theatrical Arts