Kabuki Theatre
To what extent does stage design impact, influence, and enhance a traditional Kabuki theatre performance, more specifically, in the eighteenth century play Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura (Yoshitsune and the Thousand Cherry Trees) written by Takeda Izumo II, Namiki Senryû I, and Miyoshi Shôraku?
Table of Contents
Title Page………………………………………..………………………………….....…….Page 1
Table of Contents………………………………………………………………...………….Page 2
Subject of Essay………………………………...………………………………..………Page 3-10 * Introduction……………………………………….....………………………………Page 3 * Kabuki and Kabuki History……………………………………….....……………Page 3-4 * Aspects of Stage Design………………………………………………...……...…Page 4-6 * Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura and Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura History…………..…Page 6-9 * Stage Design in Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura…………………………………..…Page 9-10
Bibliography………………………………………………………………...………….Page 11-12
Evaluation of Sources…………………………………………………………….…….Page 13-17
Introduction Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura focuses on historic Genji and Heike conflict in the twelfth century due to a civil war period in Japan. The play was first performed in 1747, as Bunraku, traditional Japanese puppet theatre, however was quickly adapted into Kabuki theatre in 1748. In the 1740’s Kabuki theatre had already taken a very specific structure and form after a history filled with changes in power, revolts, and chaos. The style of theatre was easily noticed due to distinctive and elaborate make up and costumes, as well as, a very advanced stage design for the time period. In all Kabuki plays these aspects together lead to the plays success, ultimately leading up to the question of how the stage design impacts, influences, and enhances Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura (Yoshitsune and the Thousand Cherry Trees) written by Takeda Izumo II, Namiki Senryû I, and Miyoshi Shôraku.
Kabuki and Kabuki History Kabuki, literally translating into song (歌), dance (舞), and skill (伎), is known as the art of singing and dance. It is a highly
Table of Contents
Title Page………………………………………..………………………………….....…….Page 1
Table of Contents………………………………………………………………...………….Page 2
Subject of Essay………………………………...………………………………..………Page 3-10 * Introduction……………………………………….....………………………………Page 3 * Kabuki and Kabuki History……………………………………….....……………Page 3-4 * Aspects of Stage Design………………………………………………...……...…Page 4-6 * Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura and Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura History…………..…Page 6-9 * Stage Design in Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura…………………………………..…Page 9-10
Bibliography………………………………………………………………...………….Page 11-12
Evaluation of Sources…………………………………………………………….…….Page 13-17
Introduction Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura focuses on historic Genji and Heike conflict in the twelfth century due to a civil war period in Japan. The play was first performed in 1747, as Bunraku, traditional Japanese puppet theatre, however was quickly adapted into Kabuki theatre in 1748. In the 1740’s Kabuki theatre had already taken a very specific structure and form after a history filled with changes in power, revolts, and chaos. The style of theatre was easily noticed due to distinctive and elaborate make up and costumes, as well as, a very advanced stage design for the time period. In all Kabuki plays these aspects together lead to the plays success, ultimately leading up to the question of how the stage design impacts, influences, and enhances Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura (Yoshitsune and the Thousand Cherry Trees) written by Takeda Izumo II, Namiki Senryû I, and Miyoshi Shôraku.
Kabuki and Kabuki History Kabuki, literally translating into song (歌), dance (舞), and skill (伎), is known as the art of singing and dance. It is a highly
Bibliography: 2. Cavaye, Ronald. Kabuki: A Pocket Guide. Tuttle Publishing, 1993. 184 pages. Web/Ebook. <http://books.google.com/books?id=bJNsUrraYQcC&source=gbs_navlinks_s>. Encyclopedia Britannica Inc., 2012. Web. 19 Nov. 2012 <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/309298/Kabuki>. 5. Jones Jr., Stanleigh H. (Trans. and Ed.). Yoshitsune and the Thousand Cherry Trees. New York: Columbia University Press, 1993. <http://etext.virginia.edu/japanese/kabuki/yoshitsune/kennelly-yoshitsune.html> Online Sources 2. Cavaye, Ronald. Kabuki: A Pocket Guide. Tuttle Publishing, 1993. 184 pages. Web/Ebook. <http://books.google.com/books?id=bJNsUrraYQcC&source=gbs_navlinks_s>. Encyclopedia Britannica Inc., 2012. Web. 19 Nov. 2012 <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/309298/Kabuki>.