Traditional Asian Theater Music B.

KABUKI (Japanese Theater)

(Fourth Quarter) MUSIC 8 - origin began in Edo period
- started in 1603 with the first performance of Okuni, shrine dancer from Kyoto.
A. WAYANG KULIT (Shadow Puppet) Indonesian Theater - more entertaining because of its colorful and amazing make-ups, movements,
- Wayang means “Puppet” skills, and other spectacular effects and to its unique and unrevealing
- Kulit means “Skin” characters on stage.
- one of the distinctive shadow plays around Asian dramas - comprises with three characters where “ka” means “songs: “bu” means
- material used in making a puppet is made from water buffalo leather “dance” and “ki” means skill.
- used flat puppets that are cut and designed with intricate patterns - performers in 17th century are all male
- shadow images shown when projected on a cotton screen (kelir) with an oil
lamp (blencong)
- Gamelan instrument is used as accompaniment in performing the play
Elements/Characterictics of Kabuki
Elements/Characteristics of Wayang Kulit
1. Dance – blend of folk and religious dance
1. The Puppet – sizes of puppets range from six inches to more than three feet that 2. Costume – stress the role being portrayed by the actors
are mounted on sticks of buffalo horn 3. Make-up – another element which is important in Kabuki performance
- complete set of puppets composed of 300-400 figures a. White make-up – gentle and good natured
- performance starts at 8:30 p.m and last until dawn (9-10hrs) b. Over the top Bold red lines- symbolizes quick tempered
2. The Character – based from the epic stories of Hinduism; Mahabharata and c. Kumadori style (used three basic colors )
Ramayana 1. Red – strength and sense of justice
- characters vary in size, shape, color, and costume 2. Blue – evils and used by villain
- figures also differs according to their type like: ogre, clown, god, etc. 3. Brown – supernatural beings
3. The Dalang – (puppeteer) person in charge of manipulating the figures, narrating
the story, interpreting the characters, singing songs, producing sound effects, and 4. Music – used sound effects like wooden clappers (Hyoshigi) signal used in
giving cues for the gamelan. beginning and end of the performance.

Other Elements Needed in Wayang Kulit

How do music elements contribute to the performance of Kabuki theater?
1. Performers
a. Dalang – the puppeteer and conductor 1. The dance played with dance music of different kinds mostly used by playing
b. Niyaga – the gamelan musicians and singing the dance musical piece.
c. Pesinden – Javanese female singer 2. In dance plays, the chorus sings lyrics that describe or narrate a story or scene.
2. Equipment 3. The puppet style play is usually accompanied by music.
a. Wayang – leather puppets 4. The dance play and puppet are positioned at the left side of the stage.
b. Gunungan – symbol/signal used for the beginning and ending of the show 5. In puppet plays, the narrator chants or sings in descriptive.
c. Kelir – cotton screen 6. Geza musician played music suited for the season, location, and emotional
d. Blencong – Javanese oil lamp portrayal in each individual scenes.
e. Gedebok – trunk of bananas as a place to arrange the puppets
f. Gamelan – musical instrument
C. PEKING OPERA (Chinese Theater)
- had grown fast to its development because of Emperor Qianlong.
- during ancient times, Peking opera is usually performed in open stages,
teahouses, and temples.
- performed with the orchestra and percussion bands
- is also known as the Beijing opera
- traditionally was considered as the highest form of arts in China
- started in the late 18th century and became fully recognized by the mid-19th
century.
Roles and Characters
1. Sheng – main male role in Peking opera
a. Xiaosheng – actors often involved with beautiful women by virtue of the
handsome and young images they project.
b. Wusheng – martial character for roles involving combat. They are highly
trained in acrobatic, and have natural voice when singing.
c. Laosheng – dignified older role, these characters have a gentle and
cultivated disposition, and wear sensible costumes.
2. Dan – refers to any female role in Peking opera
a. Laodan – old woman respectively representing a middle-aged woman who
always acts as a Mrs.
b. Wudan – martial woman
c. Daomadan – are young female warriors
d. Qingyi – are virtuous and elite women
e. Huadan – are vivacious and unmarried women
3. Jing – is a painted face male role who plays either primary or secondary roles,
entails a forceful character
- The red color denotes loyalty and goodness
- White denotes evil
- Black denotes integrity
4. Chou – is a male clown role. Usually plays secondary roles whose name also
means “ugly”
How do music elements contribute to the performance of Peking Opera theater?
In Chinese Peking Opera, the orchestra may contribute to the enhancement of
its performance and this orchestra is divided into two:
1. Wenchang – play as a musical accompaniment in singing which is dominated by
different string or chordophone instruments like jinghu, yue qin, and pipa. The
main actors usually have their jinghu players.
2. Wuchang – to accompany the acting, recitation, dancing, and acrobatic
fighting. This orchestra makes use of the following instruments: drums, wooden
clappers, gongs, and cymbals which are membranophone instruments.
SOME MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS USED IN PEKING OPERA
A. Aerophone
1. Ti-ts – cross flute: usually played along singing
2. Siao – recorded flutes; usually played along singing
3. Sona – trumpet; announces prosperous occasions (victories, good
news,etc.)
B. Chordophone
Guitar-Like
1. Yue-ch’in – four stringed moon guitar
2. San-sien – three-stringed instrument
3. Pi-p’a – similar to lute with four strings
C. Idiophone
1. Ta-lo and
2. Siao-lo – gongs; signify the beginning of the performance
3. Tan-pi-ku- kettle drum; used to create the tempo of the performance
Particular story or idea being presented through music in Peking Opera
Peking Opera: Three Attacks on White Bone Demon
Origin: Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) Journey to the West
Main Characters: Sun Wukong – a legendary Chinese hero
Tang Seng – Sun Wukong’s master
White Bone Demon – a legendary Chinese demon
A Buddhist monk named Tang Seng with his three acolytes: the monkey spirit
(Sun Wukong), pig spirit (Zhu Bajie), and the river spirit (Sha Sheng) were on their
pilgrimage at the Western Paradise to have a scriptures from Buddha. While on their
way, they encountered ten thousand trials to prove their worth. Luckily, Sun Wukong,
the monkey spirit, has a supernatural vision that makes him see the demons in any form
and he has a power which makes him protect his master in all mischief…
-fpbantawan-