From Japan, Kabuki blends dance, theater, and metamorphosis. Discover it in Paris in April.
Stronger than Godzilla! With 12 million admissions in theaters in 2025, “Kokuho – The Kabuki Master” by director Sang-il Lee has put the spotlight on Kabuki, a spectacular form where theater, dance, and music seem to merge into one. Not bad for an art form 400 years old.
But what is Kabuki? Originating in the Edo period in 17th century Japan, it first referred to people doing strange and new things, the kabukimono. Then came the age of epic tales with elaborate makeup and costumes. An early performer, Izumo no Okuni, a “prophetess” known for her sensual folkloric dances, did not hesitate to dress as a man. Eventually, public morality of the time led to the ban of women on stage, with men taking over female roles, giving rise to the onnagata, characterized by extreme sophistication.
The art of the onnagata is fascinating yet distancing to the audience. “Kokuho – The Kabuki Master” has attracted a new, younger audience in Japan, rediscovering an art once viewed as outdated. The Japan Culture House in Paris is riding on this new wave, hosting actor Nakamura Takanosuke to shed light on the genius of the onnagata. From makeup techniques to costume wear, the presentation will take on a scholarly and intriguing tone before the performance itself.
The pinnacle of intensity is reached with the dance “Fuji Musume (The Wisteria Maiden)” and its instant costume changes, a special effect favored by Kabuki stars, skillfully depicted in “Kokuho.” Kabuki is an art of extremes, blending freeze-frame and perspective effects, such as adults playing roles in the forefront while children appear in the background. This ability to create one’s legend has captivated directors like Ariane Mnouchkine and Bob Wilson. Writer Yukio Mishima, a fervent admirer, even penned plays in the Kabuki style.
In addition to performances of “Meet Kabuki, The Art of Onnagata” as part of a mini European tour, the Japan Culture House will screen the exquisite film “Chrysanthemum Tales” by Kenji Mizoguchi and the rare documentary “Written Face” by Daniel Schmid, featuring Tamasaburo Bando, perhaps the greatest onnagata of his time. Finally, a lecture by expert Junko Mitsuhashi on transgender culture in Japan and the example of the onnagata will shed further light on this art intertwined with a reimagined past.
Program: – Meet Kabuki, with Nakamura Takanosuke on April 9 and 10 – “Written Face” by Daniel Schmid screened on April 11 – Transgender Culture in Japan lecture on April 18 – “Chrysanthemum Tales” by Kenji Mizoguchi screened on April 22.
Fact Check: – The historical background and significance of Kabuki is accurately portrayed. – The advancements and contemporary popularity of Kabuki in Japan are accurately described. – The cultural impact and influence of Kabuki on modern arts and literature are appropriately highlighted.
