Compiled for GCE O Level Music 6053 / 6055 by GP (2008)

Comparing NOH & KABUKI

Noh

Kabuki
General Characteristics
- Repertoire is from a standard collection from
Chinese-influenced Japanese classics of Buddhism
roots.


- No standard collection
- Off-spring of Noh
- Comic portrayal of ordinary everyday living / famous
historical stories (folklore, stories of oral origins)
- Incorporate Western Classics

Performing Ensemble
- Actors male only
- Perform aesthetically-stylized dances (generally as
monologue)
- Choral musicians (solo + chorus)
- Instrumental musicians

- Performers of both genders
- Acts, sings and dance in ensemble
- Instrumental musicians
- (Stage crew)
Stage Setting
- Main stage is a pavilion in the style of a Shinto Shrine
- Surrounded by audience on 3 sides
- Backdrop of the stage is just a lone pine tree
- Hashigakari the bridge from which the actors enter
is always on stage-right.
- Minimal props addition to bare stage
(only Bell for Dojoji)



- Pavilion replaced
- Frontal presentation / box-stage with curtains
- Backdrop maintained theme of nature, not just of a
lone pine tree (eg. Plus clouds, mountains etc.)
- Hanamichi a bridge that extends into the audience
(for creating more dramatic entrances for actors
and allow interaction with audience)
- Capitalize on stage technology, additional
constructions are common (revolving stage, stage
traps etc.)
- No restrictions on addition of stage props

Other Props
- Fan is carried by all performers regardless of role
- Minimal accessories

- creative improvisation suitable for plot will be used
- fanciful accessories

Compiled for GCE O Level Music 6053 / 6055 by GP (2008)

Costumes
- Costumes are symbolic of the roles of the actors
- Most elaborated and extravagant for Shiite
- The musicians and chorus wear plain/dull monotone
robes (similar to monks)

- less flamboyant compared to Nohs main
characters
- more colourful for all on stage

Use of Masks / Make-up
- Main character (generally Shiite) wears a mask
- Theres a different mask to portray every role
- Actors skillful manipulation of masks portray
emotions

- Elaborate colourful make-up in place of masks
- Colours painted on the faces indicate characters /
roles

Style
- Focus on forward narration of the plot /actions
OR on the artistic-aesthetic qualities of the
performances (the ability of the actors to execute the
dances and songs / ability to manipulate the masks).


- Music Ensemble:
* Accompanied by Hayashi-kata
- generally an ensemble of four musicians [Flute
(Nohkan), Shoulder Drum (Kotsuzumi), Hip Drum
(Otsuzumi) & Stick-Drum (Taiko)]
* Sometimes with Biwa

- Chorus style is chant-like
- Vocal solo style is heightened and recitative-like

- Dance drama
- Performers act, sing and dance
- Comic effects done via acrobatic displays, shouting
out from off stage source, elaborate make-up,
costumes, and accessories.

- Music Ensemble consists of 3 sub-groups:
* Chorus
* Shamisen
* Instruments of the Hayashi-kata
(Geza, an off-stage ensemble can be included)


- Chorus & Shamisen in unison
Structure
Jo, Ha, Kyu
- 3 movements form taken after the courtly Gagaku
- Formal Introduction-Development-Closure

- Loosely based on Jo, Ha, Kyu
- Usual to start slow, speed up and end quickly