Guide to Discovering Kabuki and Enjoying Its Performance: Experience Japan’s Traditional Performing Art

Kabuki is a traditional Japanese theater that originated in the early Edo period. It is said to have been started in 1603 in Kyoto by a person named Izumo no Okuni. This event took place over 400 years ago. The word “Kabuki” is derived from the term “kabuku” (to be eccentric), and the roots of Kabuki lie in “kabuki odori,” performances that featured flamboyant fashion trends and the eccentric costumes of kabuki-mono, who defied conventional norms. As kabuki odori gained popularity, it evolved into “onna kabuki” performed by courtesans and “wakashu kabuki” performed by young boys. However, due to concerns about public morals, the shogunate at the time issued bans on both forms. This led to the emergence of “yarō kabuki,” performed primarily by adult men. In yarō kabuki, men also played the female roles, laying the foundation for modern Kabuki. From there, Kabuki continued to develop, with Edo (Tokyo) and Kamigata (Osaka and Kyoto) becoming the main centers of its evolution.
Kabuki has continued to develop uniquely by incorporating interesting stories and performance techniques from various other arts such as Noh, Kyogen, Bunraku, and Rakugo. While preserving tradition, Kabuki has constantly evolved by embracing new ideas. People of the time were captivated and enthralled by these plays that used the latest techniques, creating an excitement similar to today’s live music venues.
Kabuki consists of three main elements: drama, dance, and music.

Many Kabuki actors begin their training in traditional Japanese dance, Nagauta (a type of song that accompanies Kabuki dances), and shamisen from a young age. Some actors inherit the profession through their family line, while others become apprentices or adopted sons of Kabuki actors, or they join Kabuki training schools to undergo training.

As mentioned earlier, due to historical reasons, all performers on stage are typically male. Even actors who appear as delicate as young girls are actually men. They use makeup and wigs to present a feminine appearance and behavior, and their appearance, voice, and gestures are so convincingly female that many people mistakenly think that women are performing in Kabuki.
Actors playing female roles, known as onnagata, captivate the audience with beautiful movements, but in reality, it requires a considerable amount of physical strength.

To start, the basic posture involves drawing the shoulder blades in towards each other. Right now, as you’re reading this, try standing in front of a mirror and bringing your shoulder blades closer together towards the center of your back. Doesn’t it naturally make your neck look longer and your shoulders look narrower? This posture helps convey a beautiful neckline that enhances femininity and gives the actor’s shoulders a narrower appearance, making them look smaller compared to men. Additionally, they lower their hips and bring the inner sides of their knees together. This stance further reduces their size, making them appear smaller compared to male actors. This is the basic posture for portraying female roles. When you try this pose, you’ll see that it requires a lot of core strength. The elegance, beauty, and grace of onnagata actors are the result of considerable effort behind the scenes that isn’t visible to the audience.

Within the category of onnagata, there are a variety of roles. They must portray everything from young princesses to older women, capturing both youth and social status. These differences are conveyed not only through wigs and costumes but also through gestures and mannerisms. For instance, even the act of crying is portrayed differently depending on the character’s role.
A young princess will barely reveal her hands from the sleeves of her kimono. When she cries, she uses the sleeve’s edge to cover her eyes. On the other hand, a young town girl will cry by placing the “tamoto” (the long, bag-like, rounded part of the kimono sleeve) near her eyes instead of the sleeve’s edge.

A noble woman uses a folded “kaishi” (a small, folded piece of Japanese paper) when crying. A courtesan lets a bit of the juban (the inner garment of the kimono) show from the kimono’s cuff to express tears. As such, even within the act of crying, the gestures vary significantly depending on the role.
When watching onnagata (female-role actors) on stage, try to notice not only the beauty of their performance but also the subtle details of their gestures.
And of course, tachiyaku (male-role actors) also convey differences in status and age through their wigs, costumes, and mannerisms.

In Kabuki, actors apply makeup to their faces. There are several styles of makeup, and by looking at the makeup, you can get a sense of the character’s personality or status. The actors themselves apply this makeup before each performance every day.
First, they cover their entire face with one color. This is called “ji-iro” (base color), and it helps to distinguish the character to some extent.

As you can see, the base color of the face immediately indicates the character’s personality or status.

Then they apply additional makeup such as eyebrows, lipstick, blush, and facial hair. Kabuki actors refer to the act of applying makeup as “kao-wo-suru,” which means “to do the face.”
Additionally, in Kabuki, there is a makeup technique used for the tachiyaku (male-role actors) called “kumadori.” This method involves drawing lines with a brush and then blending them with fingers. The term “kuma” means the boundary between light and shadow. It is similar to using techniques like highlighting and shading in our makeup to create exaggerated shadows and highlights. Kumadori is a unique Kabuki makeup technique that exaggerates the appearance of facial veins and muscles.

When you think of Kabuki actors, what kind of makeup comes to mind? You probably imagine makeup with red lines. This is a style called “kuma.” Characters with lots of red lines are considered positive characters. They represent heroes or passionate young people—essentially, the “Superman” of Kabuki. The more red lines there are, the more exaggerated these traits become. Even the same character might have different numbers of lines depending on the scene.
Just as there are positive characters, there are also negative characters in Kabuki. Characters with blue or brown kumadori are often villains or supernatural beings. Specifically, blue kumadori represents powerful villains or vengeful spirits, while brown kumadori signifies demons or ogres.
In other words, by looking at the makeup of Kabuki characters, you can immediately understand whether they are heroes, villains, or vengeful spirits. Even if the story is complex, observing the makeup helps you grasp the flow of the narrative.
In addition to those positive and negative characters, there are “sanmaime” (comedic) characters. Even with red kumadori, if the design is humorously inspired by animals or other playful themes, it represents a comedic or clownish role.

When watching Kabuki, don’t forget to pay attention to the wigs and costumes as well.
First, let’s talk about the costumes. The costumes are one of the highlights of Kabuki and are known for their luxurious and splendid appearance. They are made from real silk (not blended with other materials), and some of the costumes, such as those worn by the highest-ranking courtesans known as “keisei,” are said to weigh between 30 and 40 kilograms. The sheer volume is its main feature. While it must be quite challenging for the actors to perform in such heavy attire, for the audience, it is truly magnificent. When a keisei appears on stage, the beauty of the costume is absolutely captivating.

In some performances, there are costume mechanisms designed to express significant changes in a character’s personality using a technique called “bukkaeri.” For example, when a demon or spirit disguised as a human reveals their true form, “bukkaeri” is used. This technique involves flipping the upper part of the costume down to reveal the vibrant patterns on the reverse side, making the transformation visible to the audience.

Next, let’s talk about wigs.
Kabuki wigs are generally created based on the styles from the Edo period. There are said to be over a thousand different types of wigs. Each has its own specific rules for different roles, and the “mage,” a part of the wig where the hair is gathered and folded, varies in shape, thickness, and angle depending on the role. This means that from the wig, you can also discern things like age, background, profession, and personality, which help you understand what kind of role the character is.
For example, in the case of female roles, you can tell whether a character is married or single, and whether they are wealthy or poor, by the shape of the wig and the hair ornaments. The decorations on the wig also indicate social status and age. For high-ranking courtesan roles like the keisei, whose costumes we mentioned earlier, nearly 20 large hairpins and combs might be used, and the wig can weigh over 3 kilograms.

Wigs, like costumes, can also change during a performance. In scenes depicting gruesome acts like seppuku (ritual suicide), the actor deliberately lets their previously arranged hair fall loose in front of the audience, making it appear disheveled.
By the way, Kabuki wigs are not pre-made. Once the play and cast are decided, the wig maker, the hairstylist who ties the hair, and the Kabuki actor collaborate closely to create the wig.

There is also a technique called “hayagawari,” where costumes and wigs are changed quickly as part of the performance. When a single Kabuki actor plays more than one role in a single scene, they swiftly change costumes, wigs, and even makeup to transform into a completely different character. This rapid transformation often occurs so quickly and from a different place than where the actor exited that it feels like magic to the audience.
Popular Kabuki actors might perform both male and female roles in the same performance, making hayagawari an exciting spectacle. Some performances feature a single actor taking on more than ten different roles.
Kabuki entertains not only through acting but also through the artistry of costumes, wigs, and makeup.

When you feel that something is wonderful or beautiful during a performance, be sure to applaud the Kabuki actors. Some of you might be thinking, “I want to clap, but I’m not sure when!” The good news is that there are clear moments when you can easily tell when to clap. One such moment is when the Kabuki actor suddenly freezes in a dramatic pose during a performance. This is known as “mie,” where the actor stops their movements to emphasize a high point of emotion or action. When you see an actor striking a mie pose, it’s the perfect time to give them a big round of applause.
You might also hear the special sound of the “ki” clappers being struck during these moments, which is part of the sound effects we will explain later. This sound will help you recognize when to clap.

By the way, in Japan, the phrase “to strike a mie” is used to describe someone acting in an exaggerated or dramatic way, and this expression originates from the Kabuki term “mie.”

Occasionally, you might see a person on stage dressed entirely in black, including a black hood. Who are these people? In fact, according to Kabuki stage conventions, these individuals are considered “invisible” to the audience. They are called “kurogo,” and their role is to support the actors by managing props, bringing necessary items onto the stage from the wings, and assisting with various backstage tasks.
On the other hand, there are also support staff who are visible to the audience and wear hakama, traditional Japanese trousers. These individuals are known as “kouken.” They also help with tasks such as managing props and assisting with costume changes on stage. Kouken play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth progression of the performance, and they are usually apprentice Kabuki actors.

In Kabuki, background music and sound effects are usually performed live. They are played in real-time. This means that both the acting and the music are integral parts of the entertainment experience.
Let’s start with the background music. In Kabuki, the shamisen provides a sort of live narration, explaining the situation on stage or expressing the characters’ emotions and inner thoughts. The music is performed either on the left (shimote) or right (kamite) side of the stage, or on the tiered platform behind the actors during dance performances.
There are four main types of Kabuki music: Nagauta, Tokiwazu, Kiyomoto, and Gidayu.

Nagauta was the first type of music to develop for Kabuki dance performances. It is composed of singing, instrumental music, and shamisen. It might be performed on a platform on stage or behind a black curtain on the stage’s left side, out of sight from the audience.
Tokiwazu is mainly used as accompaniment for dance and is performed in view of the audience. It features a style that blends singing and storytelling, creating a slow and majestic musical mood.

Kiyomoto is one of the forms of joruri, accompanied by shamisen music, where stories are narrated in poetic verses. It is known for its distinctive high-pitched melodies.
Gidayu consists of a narrator called “tayu” and a shamisen player known as “shamisen kata.” The shamisen produces a powerful and deep sound due to its large size. It is prominently used during scenes where male roles narrate or female characters express their emotions.

Various sound effects are also created live during a Kabuki performance. Sounds are produced in a small room covered with a black curtain on the left side of the stage, enhancing the Kabuki experience.
For example, the sound of rain is created using “ame-uchiwa,” which is a fan with beads on its surface. When shaken, the beads produce a sound like falling rain.
Wind sounds are also created using a tool, a wooden wheel with jagged edges covered by cloth. When the wheel is turned, the friction between the cloth and the wheel produces a “whoosh” sound like the wind. All the sounds that depict scenes are expressed on the spot using tools.
And it’s not just atmospheric sounds. Sounds of animals like frogs croaking are produced by rubbing shells together.

When the Kabuki curtain rises, you might hear a sound effect. This sound is made using two rectangular wooden blocks called “ki.” These “ki” blocks are tapped together in a rhythmic pattern at the start or end of a scene.
Similarly, there are moments when a significant sound effect is produced by striking two “ki” tools known as “tsuke-gi” and “tsuke-ita.” This sound is created by a specialist called a “tsuke-uchi-shi,” who operates at the stage-right edge. This action is referred to as “tsuke.” The clappers are struck in accordance with the movements of Kabuki actors to emphasize footsteps, noises, and other sounds. They are also used as sound effects during Kabuki actors’ mie (dramatic poses) or fight scenes.
So, listen closely and enjoy the live music and sound effects!

The stage in front of the audience is actually a “mawari-butai,” or revolving stage. It is designed as a circular “bon” (a shallow container) that can rotate 360 degrees. The stage props for different scenes are arranged on this revolving platform, and the rotation changes the scene, shifting the story from one setting to another! (Behind the scenes visible to the audience, the backgrounds and props for the next scenes are placed)
Today, revolving stages are used in theaters around the world, but this concept originated with Kabuki. It was first developed by the Kyogen playwright Namiki Shōzō in 1758, inspired by the spinning of a top. While it was originally operated by manual labor, it is now typically powered by electric motors. However, some older theaters still use manual operation.

The pathway on the audience’s left side is called the “hanamichi.” It is used for actors to enter and exit the stage and also serves as a stage extension. When a popular actor appears from behind the “agemaku” curtain at the back of the theater with a special sound, the audience experiences a sense of excitement and anticipation. The hanamichi is part of the stage but positioned in the audience area, making the actors feel closer and enhancing the feeling of unity between the performers and the audience. When actors make their entrance from the back of the theater, they will pause and strike a pose or perform at a spot called “shichisan.” This name comes from the fact that the distance from the agemaku to the stage is in a 7:3 ratio at this point.
The “shichisan” area features a stage mechanism called a “seri,” which is used to raise and lower actors. This “seri” is called “suppon.” The suppon is used as an entry point for non-human characters like magical beings, ghosts, or fox spirits disguised as humans.

Another impressive aspect of Kabuki is the “chu-nori” technique, where actors are suspended by wires and move between the stage and the second-floor seating, or even fly around on stage. Advanced production techniques like this might seem to have started recently, but this technique was actually already in use around the year 1700. Kabuki has always captivated audiences with such breathtaking innovations throughout the ages.

There are a few theaters where you can see Kabuki. Here we will introduce some major theaters in Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto.

If you want to study more about Kabuki before actually watching it, we recommend KABUKI ON DEMAND, a site where you can use English subtitles or audio to view Kabuki stage performances. This site is perfect for both pre-show preparation and post-show review at home in your country before and after watching Kabuki at the theater. Check it out based on the information from this article!

The photos in this article are currently being featured on KABUKI ON DEMAND. For example, you can see the costumes of the courtesan and the iconic poses of the Kabuki actors in the performance of “Sukeroku Yukari no Edo Zakura.”

In addition, you can get a good look at the kumadori (makeup) in “Kurama-biki.” In this performance, Umeōmaru has the “sujiguma” kumadori, while Fujiwara no Shihei has the “kugeare” kumadori.

Have you learned to understand the characters’ personalities just by looking at their kumadori? If you can do that, you’re quite an advanced Kabuki fan!

We have covered the basics of Kabuki so far. How did you find it? Kabuki is a top-tier entertainment that embodies Japan’s rich traditions and history.
When you visit Japan, watch a Kabuki performance and enjoy an extraordinary experience!