July.10
The bawdy world of kabuki theatre by Apollo Magazine
July.10
From the February 2022 issue of Apollo. Preview and subscribe here. About 400 years ago, the first sparks of a new art-form could have been seen just five minutes’ walk from where I now sit writing in Kyoto. The date was almost certainly 1603, though it is not clearly recorded. It was probably a blazing…
June.17
The Art of ‘Rakugo’, Sit-Down Comedy by Pen
June.17
Rakugo, which literally translates as ‘art of fallen words’, is making a comeback on Japanese stages. Dating back to the 17th century and originating from Buddhist tradition, rakugo experienced its heyday in the Meiji era (1868-1912) and particularly following the Second World War, when it adopted its current form. This also marked the period when it left…
May.10
Tap Dancing Kabuki by Dianne Vapnek
May.10
“Have you seen the video of the tap dancing kabuki actor?” asked my American friend living in Japan. For real??, I asked. “I’ll send you a link.” “Tap dancing kabuki actor” felt like an oxymoron for my mental inventory of a tap dancer. Think: The Nicolas Brothers, Gene Kelly, Sammy Davis Jr., Bill “Bojangles” Robinson,…
