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Matsu Gallery
Japanese
Woodblock Prints
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Kabuki
The
Kabuki theatre, and portraits of actors (yakusha-e), formed one of the
four most popular branches of Ukiyo-e art, along with bijin-ga
(pictures of beauties), kacho-ga (birds and flowers) and fukei-ga
(landscape). In fact, it has been suggested that the largest number of
prints produced in the Edo and Meiji periods was in the genre of
Kabuki, since by sheer number of survivals, actors outnumber all other
subjects put together.
This section will attempt to explain the stories behind some prominant
Kabuki plays and dances, with illustrations where possible, and may
provide assisitance in identifying certain plays, characters and mie
(poses). The sometimes obscure and twisted storylines of many plays
will be unknown to most non-Japanese, and here we will try to unravel
the intricacies of the more complex pieces, as well as the
straightforward and perhaps better-known dances and dramas.
Kabuki
Library
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