Product Description
Kabuki is the great Japanese theatrical tradition from the Edo period. It has inherited all the previous theatrical forms, such as noh. According to tradition kabuki began in 1596 with a shinto dancer called Okuni. Kabuki has a history of struggles against government resistance to it's sexuality, until it became recognized as a theatre and at the center of social life during the Edo period. Edo actors became as popular as any modern day idol, the theatre a valve for the pent up energy of people at the time. Music is an intrisic part of the theatre, but to be appreciated Kabuki needs to be seen. Now these series of DVDs from the national broadcaster NHK provide that spectacle, all with English subtitles. Kanjin-cho is one of the greatest kabuki plays, it's reputation resting not only on it's dramatic quality, but also on it's fine Nagauta (type of singing) and Geza music (musical ensemble). 78 min, Region Code:All NTSC.
