==JAPAN: KM== [Culture]

I will never forget the day I watched kabuki for the first time. It was different from any other plays I had watched before. Although the actors were singing rather slow songs in Japanese, some lines sounded so strange that they were almost incomprehensible. Comprised of the sound of samisen, gorgeous theatrical kimono costumes, showy makeup and magnificent scenery, kabuki is a distinctive performing art that we take pride in.
My high school has the tradition of playing kabuki on the annual Cultural Festival Day. Watching my senior students performing sparked such a strong interest in this traditional art that I was determined to play a part, finding myself engrossed in rien, the wonderful world of kabuki. However, no matter how eager I was to play kabuki, an intractable barrier prevented me from taking a part in it. Women are NEVER able to play kabuki in spite of the fact that female roles exist. Why cannot women play kabuki? In search of the answer to this question, let me bring you back to its history.
Kabuki dates back to 400 year ago, originating from Izumo no Okuni, presumably a medium of Izumo shrine. She danced to the popular songs of that period or Nenbutsu folk dances and disguised herself as a man. Many people such as courtesans or boyfs actors emulated her and it became an essential entertainment for townspeople. In the Edo period, however, the Tokugawa government outlawed kabuki for fear that it would corrupt public morals. They were also paranoid that it would destabilize the strictly hierarchal social order if kabuki became more influential than the authority.
I speculate three reasons why kabuki introduced special actors called oyama, actors who play only womenfs roles. First, I assume that they are visually attractive. Wouldnft it be much more humorous if men disguised as women and we startled at watching macho men changing into glamorous lady? We frequently feel feminine charm from his behavior and visual impressions. Second, the authority in those days must have wanted to demonstrate their supreme position as they ruthlessly banned the womenfs kabuki, which had been accepted in the public at first. Eradicating the bottom of kabukifs basic value could have been sufficient to force townspeople to recognize the absolute power that the central authority was supposed to hold. Finally, I would like to touch upon the attitude of samurai to women. There is an idiom gnaijyo-no-kouh in Japanese, which means support of onefs faithful helpmate; a wife should assume the role of assistance and respect her husband as her superior. From this perspective, womenfs kabuki stars were not acceptable among the ruling class.
Just as Japan is proud of kabuki, there is a diversity of performing arts all over the world including opera, musical, and Beijing opera (kyo-geki). Operas date back to late Renaissance in Italy where the movement of revival of ancient Greece drama started. The set and costume have become more flamboyant and complex, and grown proficient in songs and music. Based on operas, musicals place more emphasis on dance and stories. New York and London are homes to musicals featuring such distinguished ones as CATS or Crazy for You. Beijing opera is renowned in that it is considered to be one of the best performing arts among more than 300 local arts in China. Florid costume and makeup and pompous back sound music are the appeal of Beijing opera and what is more, the acrobatic movements are nothing short of eye-opening.
As all of these arts have distinctive features, it is impossible to decide which one excels. Among all the performing arts in the world kabuki is unique in that it represents the characteristic traits of Japanese people. Kabuki stands for three elements; ka is song, bu is dance, and ki is skill. Although operas excel in singing, musical or ballet features exceptional standards of dancing, and Beijing opera offers unparalleled skills, it is only kabuki that combines the three aspects of the art in perfect and impeccable harmony. The popularity of kabuki seems to stem from the fact that we tend to place high priority on harmony, and that kabuki is congruous to this sense of values.
Kabuki is treated as an old culture these days, while the word kabuki came from verb kabuku, which means whimsy and fancy dress. It used to be a special entertainment for townspeople who gained no access to information sources, inspiring peoplefs enthusiasm for a new culture. When we think of the term tradition, we tend to imagine something archaic and solemn. However, tradition is intertwined with our contemporary culture and consequently it is natural that it should constantly evolve. No matter how much effort we exert in order to preserve tradition, changes are inevitable. On the other hand, any attempts to abandon tradition cannot completely succeed, but result in transforming it in tune with the needs of the times. The 21st century is information society where everything changes rapidly and we live in whirl of modern life. All the more, I hope the number of people enjoying spectacle kabuki will increase and more people will be immersed in this Japanese tradition. I am sure you will feel your spiritual home in it and at the same time, something brand new.

"Getting It Together Thank you very much for reading my essay. I really enjoyed writing it. I am glad if this essay inspired your interest in kabuki and other Japanese culture.