Kabuki Fun Time!

Once and awhile, there comes an image that immediately just strikes you. When I saw my face, Kabuki style, I knew I had found something. So, how did I become a man of the Kabuki art?

At the beginning of the semester, students could sign up for programs or tours of the country. Since this was a once and a lifetime chance in another country, I signed up for many activities, including the Kabuki workshop. Several weeks pass and it is the day of the workshop... and I forgot my camera.

A group was formed at the university and a man named .... with his assistant led a discussion of the acting and art form known as kabuki. Kabuki is a very ancient Japanese style of acting, one in which emphasizes exaggeration. The word 'Kabuki' is separated into three parts: 'Ka' meaning song, 'ba' meaning dance, and 'ki' meaning action. Through these combined processes does one attain a kabuki performance. Actors start off at a very early age, but the actor started after he graduated high school. He explained the history of Kabuki in Japan, as well as the various forms of the art itself. There are three variations of kabuki, one called jidaimono, one of great exaggeration, depicting scenes from the Edo period; sewamono which are contemporary plays, that employ white make-up to a far less extent; shin-kabuki, depicting more realistic moments in the homes of those during the Edo period, written after the 1868. 

The actor proceeded to describe the process in which he applied his make-up. This is the most famous aspect of the kabuki theater, as actor's faces are dramatic and exaggerated. The actor put oil on his face and skin, to allow the make-up to be put on more effectively. Next, the actor put wax over his eyebrows, as to later add a more set of eyebrows. He put on two caps, as to put his lion mane on much easier as well. He put the famous white make-up on his face, which enhances the look of the actor or actress. He explained that this process has been used for centuries, not only by the Japanese, but also by mimes and Charlie Chaplain. The emphasis appears around the eyes, when he applied red and black make-up under his eye lids. The red in a kabuki play means that this actor is the hero, while blue paint symbolizes the villain or a dead character. Sometimes, men will play female parts, but is now more accepted to have female actors onstage. When he finished applying the make-up, he asked the audience if anyone would like to try it.

I, of course, volunteered.

The process of the make-up was a little long, but a lot of fun. He was amused by the fact I had rougher skin than his ("Japanese have smoother skin") and how I had not shaven in a few days (I knew I should have shaven that day!). The audience was amused that I went up to be decorated, but I didn't mind one bit. I was hoping he was going to apply the hero mask to my face, and sure enough, he did! I was very excited I got the coolest looking make-up on and took this opportunity for photo sessions by those who attended and the Temple Staff. One even said I might be up on the Temple Homepage soon! Awesome indeed.

The Kabuki actor performed a one man show for us after the photos were taken. It involved background music, while he performed dances and glares, known as Mie, for the audience. He had his arms outstretched the whole time, with his index fingers bent, as if he was holding something. He had a huge gold mane, known as the lion's mane, and proceeded to either whip us or entertain us with it. The actor later stated that the mane is very heavy, hard to walk with, and has trained himself to not trip over it (since it would go under his feet during the performance). He had an elaborate costume on that made his shoulders more pronounced and bigger than normal.

After the performance, the actor asked me if I wanted to take my make-up off before I left. I told him I would be fine. I decided I was going to have some fun with this before the night was over (I even received the chance to see him in a real performance if I pick up tickets at the main office in a few days! His act will be performed after finals).

The rest of the night was just me and my friends have a grand old time with my latest disguise. We took many pictures, saw interesting looks from the Japanese, and caused some mischief. Believe it or not, the Japanese actually accepted me with kabuki make-up on than before. Even though I was wearing foreigner clothes, they thought my friends were weirder than I was. Some people were amused by me, while others just shrugged and continued walking. I exaggerated my movements, speech, and just spoke much louder than I normally do. "NAAAAAANNNNIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!" No matter what expression I had on my face, I still looked angry, which I found hilarious. I have some videos of my adventures in the night, but the one I was not able to film was of me scaring a group of Japanese students as they went back home (who actually lived in the same dorm as ours).

Here are some photos and two videos (by the way, I am smiling the whole time):

After a few hours of fun, it was time to take the make-up off.  You know in the "Cat in the Hat," there is that pink spot that nobody is able to get rid of? Well, that is what happened to my bathroom. I had all of these make-up splots on the walls that I am still trying clean off. I spent basically a half an hour in the shower trying to get everything off my face. 

Well, another blog entry is finished. Japan is still awesome and more adventures are heading your way, true believers. If I can, I'll try and get more pictures up of me in kabuki because the school and some students took pictures of me as the make-up was being applied and action occurred afterwards (including me in a traditional stance with the actor). I have Midterms this week, so this three day weekend (another holiday in Japan, I love this country), I will be studying. But next weekend, I will be heading to a concert, sushi workshop, and experience the otaku of Japan. More to come soon, true believers....

Oh, one more thing. I may have a surprise for all of you next week, for those of you have been following this blog. Let's just say it involves me and a certain, young lady. Until then, stay tuned.

"To the artist, there is never anything ugly in nature" - Rodin

P.S. I hope nobody took that last comment seriously. It does not involve me and a lady because my parents would disown me. Let's just say it is big.