In Japan there is a very different kind of theater that we now know, is that the east is a world very foreign to many Westerners, from its music, traditions and art. Kabuki Theater Noh theater is among one of the oldest art forms in this country. It was developed during the Edo dynasty in the sixteenth century, where people of any social class could contemplate. And although it was in the Edo dynasty where the Kabuki gained some maturity, was in the eighteenth century, which was modernized and Meiji as we know it today.
When started, this practice was forbidden to relate it, first with prostitutes and then homosexuality, until in 1652 it was approved, but with the warning to avoid the sensual dances. Can have different themes, such as dramas (jidai mono) that have historical or real events and tragedies with a touch of humor, there is the issue of domestic drama (sewa mono) to portray the lower classes with elements of fantasy.
Originally, men and women could act in the works, but at that time, women came to enjoy great success and therefore forbade women to act and thereafter the men interpret women’s roles, roles in which many are specialized and are called onnogata. A Kabuki actor began his preparation was very young and devoted himself to a single character throughout his life.
For its characterization it takes a very elaborate makeup, sometimes using masks, with stylized movements also include dance and song. In the twentieth century, it suffered from the Second World War and was banned again, but at the end of it, artists turned to open the theaters and the performances became more boom. For this event many things from the east came to Western viewers and Kabuki found a new audience every year fill the theaters to witness these works full of magic and mysticism.
Unesco in 2005, has made a masterpiece of kabuki world heritage.
Tags: Japan, Kabuki Theater, noh theater, UNESCO