Kabuki Theatre Costumes

Gorgeous photos and insightful text introduce the work of today's foremost Noh mask artist, actor, and teacher.Noh master Michishige Udaka (the only living actor to continue to make masks while still performing and teaching), presents 32 of the more than 200 masks he's created, accompanied by revelatory text about the masks and the simple yet nuanced ancient dramatic art of Noh. Best-selling author Ruth Ozeki, who studied Noh theater with Udaka in Japan, has contributed a new Foreword to the pap... [Read More]

The attire of the feudal lords and ladies of old Japan, warriors, priest, courtesans, Edo-period dandies geisha, footmen, farmers in fact, the whole array of Kabuki's colorful characters-is discussed in fascinating detail in this Japanese Kabuki book.From kimono and armor to undergarments, from wigs to foot gear, from swords to hair garmentsno aspect of costume accessories is overlooked. Textiles and textile designs, in all their profusion of weaves, colors, and patterns, are carefully taken not... [Read More]

From puppets to living players and musical speech to colloquial prose, Asian theatre is a rich world of contrasting expressions. While it has thrived for centuries and embodies the folk traditions of the Asian people, it also reflects contemporary concerns and innovative theatrical practices. At a time when Asia is of tremendous importance to the West, its theatre is a key to understanding its culture as well as the heritage of Asian Americans. This book is a detailed and authoritative survey of... [Read More]

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 femal... [Read More]