Kabuki A Pocket Guide introduces readers to the foundations of Kabuki--its history and its actors, its acting styles and its performance, its color and music--to the sheer beauty and joy of Kabuki. Kabuki, the popular theatre of Japan, began in about 1603 and is still flourishing today. It was the entertainment of the common people as opposed to Noh, the refined theatre of the aristocracy, and is a close relative of the Bunraku puppet theater. All the actors in Kabuki, even those who play female roles, are men and plays and dances deal with the love of the heroes and villains form Japans real or legendary past. Concise enough to take to performance, this pocket guide to Kabuki provides a wealth of fascinating information about plays, the actors, and their history. As only an insider can do, the author takes us behind the scene to meet the actors, attend rehearsal, and get a first-hand look at the makeup, costumes, sets and props that go into a Kabuki performance.

Unique in any Western language, this is an invaluable resource for the study of one of the world's great theatrical forms. It includes essays by established experts on Kabuki as well as younger scholars now entering the field, and provides a comprehensive survey of the history of Kabuki; how it is written, produced, staged, and performed; and its place in world theater. Compiled by the editor of the influential Asian Theater Journal, the book covers four essential areas - history, performance, theaters, and plays - and includes a translation of one Kabuki play as an illustration of Kabuki techniques.

Japan has a wide range of unique, highly refined performing arts that haveeveloped over centuries. This guide provides a brief history andntroduction to the features of each genre, together with recommendations oflays that are accessible to non-Japanese audiences. Brief synopses arerovided to approximately fifty selected plays, and well-known popularompanies, actors, writers, and directors are introduced. The text is widelyllustrated, and includes information about theatre listings, how to getickets, and which plays are available on DVD. It will be invaluable fornyone planning a visit to Japan and keen to experience its theatre firsthand,s well as providing additional insights for students of Japanese theatrend literature.

Berlitz Pocket Guide Japan is a concise, full-colour travel guide that combines lively text with vivid photography to highlight the very best that this enigmatic country has to offer. The Where To Go chapter details the best places to visit in Japan, from the dazzling architecture of Tokyo to Japan's first imperial capital of Nara and the breathtaking natural splendour of Mount Fuji. Handy maps on the cover help you to get around with ease. To inspire you, the book offers a rundown of the 10 top attractions in Japan, followed by an itinerary for a Perfect Tour of the country. The What to Do chapter is a snapshot of things to do in Japan, from shopping and sports to onsen (hot springs) and Japanese festivals. You'll also be armed with background information on Japanese culture, including a brief history of Japan and a chapter covering its mouth-watering cuisine. There is also an A-Z to give you all the practical information you will need.

The revenge of the 47 rōnin is the most famous vendetta in Japanese history and it continues to inspire the popular imagination today. Written between 1934 and 1941, Mayama Seika’s ten-play cycle Genroku Chūshingura is a unique retelling of the incident based on his own painstaking research into the historical facts. Considered a modern masterpiece, it now has a secure place in the Kabuki repertoire and many of the plays are still frequently performed. For the first time, Seika’s monumental achievement is here translated into English in its complete and original form by three experienced experts in the field.

Historical Dictionary of Japanese Traditional Theatre is the only dictionary that offers detailed comprehensive coverage of the most important terms, people, and plays in the four principal traditional Japanese theatrical forms—nō, kyōgen, bunraku, and kabuki—supplemented with individual historical essays on each form. This updated edition adds well over 200 plot summaries representing each theatrical form in addition to: a chronology; introductory essay; appendixes; an extensive bibliography; over 1500 cross-referenced entries on important terms; brief biographies of the leading artists and writers; and plot summaries of significant plays. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about the Japanese theatre.

Berlitz Pocket Guide Japan The world-renowned pocket travel guide by Berlitz, now with a free bilingual dictionary. Get Olympic ready with this iconic pocket guide to Japan that comes with a free dictionary - the perfect pocket guidebook to accompany travellers' Tokyo 2020 Olympic adventure. Compact, concise and packed full of essential information about where to go and what to do, this is an ideal on-the-move guide for exploring Japan. From top tourist attractions like Mount Fuji, deer in Nara and nightlife in Osaka, to cultural gems, including taking in Tokyo's Edo-Tokyo Museum, exploring the historical centre of Kamakura and relaxing in an onsen hot spring, plan your perfect trip with this practical, all-in-one travel guide. Features of this travel guide to Japan: - Inspirational itineraries: discover the best destinations, sights and excursions, highlighted with stunning photography - Historical and cultural insights: delve into the country's rich history and culture, and learn all about its people, art and traditions - Practical full-colour map: with every major sight and listing highlighted, the full-colour maps make on-the-ground navigation easy - Key tips and essential information: from transport to tipping, we've got you covered - Dictionary: quick-reference bilingual language guide to help you with vocabulary - Covers: Tokyo; Kanto; Kansai; Chubu; Western Honshu and Shikoku; Kyushu; Northern Honshu; Hokkaido Get the most out of your trip with Berlitz Phrase Book & Dictionary Japanese About Berlitz: Berlitz draws on years of travel and language expertise to bring you a wide range of travel and language products, including travel guides, maps, phrase books, language-learning courses, dictionaries and kids' language products.

Masterpieces of Kabuki contains eighteen outstanding dramas taken from the landmark four-volume series Kabuki Plays On Stage. Together they cover the entire spectrum of kabuki drama from 1697 to 1905, the period during which kabuki’s dramaturgy flourished prior to the onset of Western dramatic influence. Major playwrights, chronological periods of playwriting, and a variety of play types (history, domestic, and dance dramas) and performance styles are represented. All but one are in the current repertory and regularly staged. The volume includes introductions to each play and a new general introduction highlighting kabuki’s historical development and relating the plays to their performance context. As the subtitle implies, the plays are translated as if "on stage." Stage directions indicate major scenic effects, stage action, costuming, makeup, music, and sound effects. In some cases, complex stage actions such as stage fights are given in detail. The plays collected here are all marvelous examples of dramatic writing, intended to be acted on the stage before audiences. They reveal kabuki’s eras of brilliance and bravado, villainy and vengeance, darkness and desire, and restoration and reform. All continue to stir audiences to admiration and excitement.