Kabukiza

Today, ‘kabuki’ is recognized internationally as one of Japan’s great performing arts. Essentially a popular theatre, it has always reflected the tastes and fashions of the townspeople. With a history stretching back over 400 years, this all-male theater form has a vast repertoire that is still performed, ranging from antique pieces that are hundreds of years old right up to brand new theatrical experiments. The word ‘ka-bu-ki’ itself is made up of three characters that mean ‘song’ (ka-歌), ‘dance’ (bu-舞) and ‘acting skill’ (ki-伎), indicating the composite nature of this art that includes elements of music, dance and drama, disciplines that would in most other cases be performed separately.Kabukiza