Kabuki Drama: Beyond the Acting
The stylized theatre found in Japan that incorporates drama, dance, and song is known as Kabuki. This traditional theatre has been a part of the Japanese culture since its first performance in 1596 and most active when Japan passed into the modern age (Powell 4). The theatre has inspired all Japanese art forms. Since "dance is very important in kabuki theatre" (Nettl 117), it seems only natural that there also is music in kabuki performance. Bruno Nettl mentions as a universal of music, "everywhere, dance is accompanied by musical sound" (9). The music of Kabuki can be further examined by studying the behavior of how it is produced and consumed, the conception of its role in Japanese culture and the sound of the music. Kabuki is often thought to be delightful to the eye but it is also delightful to the ear. Not only by its subtle and complex dialogue, but by a "combination of partly chanted speeches, music, natural sounds, and stage clappers, all helping to build up the total theatrical effect" (Powell 4). Kabuki does not only emphasis acting. It includes and emphasizes the combination of acting with song and dance. Without the sound part of the drama, it would be severely lacking an element that brings the music to lif
e and changes the dynamics of the show. Music has been a part of these Japanese traditions since ancient times. It primarily served as "a vehicle for words and literature" (Nettl 136). Throughout time music has been a part of entertainment, religion, and court music, but theatrical music seems to have been the most important of musical genres. This is due to "the Japanese love of storytelling and preoccupation with ritual" (Nettl 13). Kabuki theatre is an important expression of popular, urban, mercantile culture of Japan. The subject matter of the plays captivates many areas of life such as religious beliefs, magic and the supernatural, family, politics and love (Brandon 22). The power and emotion of these subjects are intensified by the musical accompaniment of the dramas. Although kabuki initially intended to imitate the world, it seems that it started to pervade society, in turn causing society to imitate kabuki. Today however, the drama does not depict contemporary life of Japan. It has remained true to its ancient artful state. Kabuki has survived in Japan for many years despite being part of a culture whose civilization has undergone much Westernization. Even though kabuki does not depict contemporary life in Japan, it has retained a place in Japan's national pride and affection. The music that accompanies kabuki drama, needs to be studied not only by the sound, but by the behavior in which music is created and the concept it has in society. In this way, kabuki music can be understood and appreciated. Besides setting the atmosphere for a play, the music is like glue that holds the show together. The music gives the cue for the actor's entrance and exit. It conducts the dialogue, singing and performance of the show. As well as many other instruments, kabuki performance includes the use of many idiophones for audio-effects. One most "unique among them is the sounding of wooden clappers signaling the opening and the closing of a kabuk
Some common words found in the essay are:
Music Japanese, International Society, Bruno Nettl, , kabuki music, music kabuki, kabuki performance, kabuki drama, kabuki theatre, depict contemporary life, dance kabuki theatre, life japan, musicians stage, powell 4, international society, form music, contemporary life japan,
Approximate Word count = 1334
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
|
