Kabuki-za

A balcony view of the stage, including the hanamichi (at stage right). “The kabuki stage features a projection called a hanamichi [flower path], a walkway which extends into the audience and via which dramatic entrances and exits are made. The stage is used not only as a walkway or path to get to and from the main stage, but important scenes are also played on the ‘path’. “Kabuki stages and theaters have steadily become more technologically sophisticated, and innovations including revolving stages and trap doors were introduced during the 18th century. “A driving force has been the desire to manifest one frequent theme of Kabuki theater, that of the sudden, dramatic revelation or transformation. A number of stage tricks, including actors’ rapid appearance and disappearance, employ these innovations. “Performances can last six hours or more, with long intermissions between the acts: some are 25-minutes long in order to permit the audience to partake of a meal in one of the theater restaurants.” Kabuki-za, sidewalk view, Tokyo, c. 1960. Destroyed by wartime firebombing in May 1945, the theater was rebuilt to its prewar appearance and reopened in 1951. Please support this site. Consider clicking an ad from time to time. Thank you! This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.