Tokyo [Japan], December 9 (ANI): Kabuki, a traditional Japanese theatre form born over 400 years ago and formalized in the Edo period, has long had a devoted domestic following and is now drawing growing international attention.
Shochiku Corporation, which began producing Kabuki around 130 years ago, helped take the art abroad early on. Executive Naoto Funakoshi recalls founders Matsujiro Shirai and Takejiro Ohtani promoting foreign performances as a kind of “travelling Japanese embassy” and insisting on authenticity: “Real performance will be evaluated. Never ingratiate! Insist to real performance!” That commitment to genuine stagecraft has won many overseas fans, especially for onnagata (male actors performing female roles), admired for their stylized dances and visual spectacle.
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted live performances when gatherings were discouraged. Shochiku staff and young volunteers responded by expanding online distribution. A “Kabuki On Demand” initiative now streams lavish productions to global audiences, overcoming initial resistance from some traditional actors who worried the art’s dynamism would be lost offstage. Volunteers persuaded performers to participate, broadening reach.
The phenomenon has been boosted by popular culture: the kabuki-themed film “Kokuho (National Treasure)” topped Japan’s box office, showcasing two young actors performing female roles and blending centuries-old tradition with contemporary staging and youthful energy. Together, streaming access, tourism, and renewed stage creativity suggest a new era in which Kabuki is evolving into a global form of entertainment. (ANI)
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