What are the differences between Noh and Kabuki?

Answer 1

Kabuki is a Japanese dance-drama. It's known for its high stylization and elaborate makeup. The word kabuki possibly came from the verb kabuki which means "to be out of the ordinary" so kabuki can be translated "avant-garde" or bizarre" theater. (Wikipedia.com) Kabuki represents the simple, animistic Shinto viewpoint. (Japan-zone.com)

Noh is a classic form of Japanese musical drama. It was officially listed as one of Japan's three national forms of theater. (Wikipedia.com) Noh is one of the oldest existing forms of theater. It can seem extremely hard to make out and boring. In a sense, Noh represents the strict Buddhist way of life. (Japan-zone.com)

Kabuki began in 1603 when Okuni of Izumo began performing a form of dance-drama in the dry river beds of Kyoto. In the beginning all roles were played by women. They put on short comic plays about everyday life. (Wikipedia.com)

Although all roles in Kabuki were originally played by women they were eventually banned from performing. Women were replaced by young men because of their less masculine appearance and higher pitched voices. They also were ultimately banned from performing so all roles were played by adult men. (Wkipedia.com)

Noh was developed from several other art forms including Dengaku, Shirabyoshi, and Gigaku. (Wikipedia.com) Gigaku was the oldest Japanese form of theater involving music, dance, and mask. Noh grew, throughout the 14th century, out of a blend of Chinese performing arts, called sarugaku, and dengaku. Acting troupes were under the support of shrines and temples. Their performances were as much like 'sermons' as they were amusement. (Japan-zone.com)

The stage for a traditional Noh theater is designed after a Shinto shrine. It is built out of Japanese cypress wood. There are four pillars, one at each corner of the stage. The stage also includes a narrow bridge on the right. It is used for actors' entrances and exits. The only decoration or backdrop on a Noh stage is a painting of a pine tree on the back wall. (Wikipedia.com)

The floor of a Noh stage is polished so the actors can move with a gliding motion. Below the floor are large bowl shaped concrete forms, so when the actor steps heavily it makes a resonating sound. In order to accommodate the concrete the stage is raised around three feet above the ground. (Wikipedia.com)

While stages for Noh are rather simple, a stage for kabuki can be very high tech. A kabuki stage can include revolving stages or trap doors. Also some actors have had wires attached to their costume so that they can be raised into the air, and they appear to ascend or fly. (Wikipedia.com)

A stage for a Kabuki also includes a hanamichi, a walk way which extends into the audience. Though it evolved from Noh's narrow bridge, actors play important scenes on the hanamichi as well as using it for entrances and exits. (Wikipedia.com)

Kabuki actors wear robe like dresses called kimonos. The top and bottom parts of a kimono are in separate pieces covered by a thick sash for quick costume changes while on stage. When an actor changes on stage, the costume's color or design might change, but the pattern on the fabric doesn't change. This constant pattern is a reminder that the actor is the same. (Comm.unt.edu)

Kabuki makeup is like a mask painted on the actors' face. The makeup is called kumadori. It involves bold red and blue lines painted on the actor's face. Kabuki wigs have no equivalent in the world of theatre. Most of the wigs are made from black hair; however, they differ in accordance with age, gender, social class, and status. The only wigs that aren't black are the white wigs that are used for supernatural beings such as ghosts. (Comm.unt.edu)

The Noh costumes were originally something like the character would actually wear, but in the 1600's costumes became more stylized and symbolic. The actors' costumes are usually heavily decorated. Musicians wear a formal black kimono. The kimonos are decorated with five family crests. Stage attendants wear plain black clothes. (Wikipedia.com)

Noh actors wear masks instead of makeup. The mask are widely varied and expressive; since the actor doesn't speak he uses the mask to convey emotion. "The best masks are said to be able to shout, whimper, scream, purr, or grow silent." The expression in the eyes is considered to be the most significant, while additional sculptural details express the distinctiveness of the character's mood or temper. (Comm.unt.edu)

The difference between Noh and kabuki is that Noh involves masks, geishas and rhythm. Kabuki uses makeup, Onnagata ["The onnagata is a cross-dressed male actor."Onna" means "woman". "Gata "means "way of doing". (Amazon.com)] and still uses rhythm. (library.thinkquest.org)

BIBLIOGRAPHY

"Learn about Kabuki Onnagata." Amason.com (accessed May 28, 2009)

"Kabuki Costumes and Makeup." Comm.unt.edu (accessed May 28, 2009)

"Noh and Kabuki Costumes." Comm.unt.edu (accessed May 28, 2009)

"Noh Costumes and Masks." Co