Japan on Stage: An Introduction to Kabuki and Noh Theatre

Kabuki: tradition and innovation

Join Dr Helen Parker as she offers an illustrated introduction to kabuki, a form of traditional Japanese drama rooted in popular entertainment for newly wealthy townsfolk in the Edo period (1603-1867). Distinctive for its spectacular make-up, costumes and movement, kabuki is still regularly performed today. It is also well known in Japan and abroad for its consumer culture, from early actor prints to contemporary fashion. While the traditional element in kabuki is often emphasised, the dynamic character of its recent history and contemporary practice also deserves attention. The talk will reflect on how honouring inherited traditions, and innovating in response to domestic and international factors, both contribute to the appeal of kabuki.

The evening will include an special performance with the sound of ko-tsuzumi (small hand drum) by hayashikata (kabuki musician) Tanaka Denjirō VII, who will perform highlights of classic kabuki compositions. This is a great opportunity to discover the fascinating world of kabuki music through an expert introduction and an engaging presentation of the instruments.



About Dr Helen Parker:

Dr Helen Parker, a specialist in traditional Japanese performing arts, studied Japanese at Oxford and researched dramatic arts at Waseda University in Tokyo. She lectures at Edinburgh on Japanese literature, performance, and translation. Her work focuses on kabuki’s cultural context, Noh in contemporary performance, gender in theatre, and Japanese-English translation.

About Tanaka Denjirō VII:

Tanaka Denjiro VII was born in 1977 into a family with strong musical traditions. His father, Kamei Tadao, a drummer of the Kazuno School of Noh Hayashi, has been designated a ‘Living National Treasure’, while his mother, Tanaka Sataro, is the ninth-generation head of the Tanaka School of Kabuki Hayashi. Tanaka Denjirō VII made his first appearance on stage at the age of three in a Noh play Tamura. Since assuming his name in 1994, Tanaka Denjirō VII has performed on a variety of prominent kabuki stages around Japan. In addition to performing, he creates music compositions for kabuki and kyōgen.

Entry to IKEA: Magical Patterns exhibition before the talk is included as part of the ticket. The exhibition will be open from 17:00 and close at 17:45.