this is the translation. if you go to a kabuki play and pay for the translation headphones this is exactly what you will hear. it's a bit annoying at first but then you appreciate it because it gives background info and doesn't distract you from watching and listening to the dance.
This is a beautiful work of Art from start to finish. The commentary is intrusive, i could happily watch this and let the artists speak for themselves.
Thank you soooo much......I am so dismayed that the videos are being taken off utube. I have gained such an education from them and have lead others to see too. Please reconsider. To me the voice IS informative. To each his own. Yet Again. in honer... Thank You for sharing truth in value... worth.... human soul....expression......culture!
Wait...while I know that there aren't any women in Kabuki, I thought that was only in previous times. So the person on stage is actually a man as well? (if so, he plays the role well, xD! I'd kill to be as graceful as that, especially at the parts where "she" bends her knees and still has to keep her back straight. I know mine would buckle in an instant).
Subtilité...eblouisement...voyage et sagesse tout un programe dans le plus pur rituel de cet garçon à la delicatesse dans le mouvement si armonieux et majestueux qui laisse des sensations inesplicables en soi .....régal des yeux ....
I plan to purchase the Tamasaburo DVD set that you mentioned elsewhere (thank you!). Do you know which disk this dance is on? I just watched the Takarazuka "Susano-O" performance; this is a wonderful counterpart.
i notice that the actors white face makeup is exactly the same as that that was once worn by european nobility in western europe in the 17th century...........but the old european white makeup was lead based. many rich types died! mostly noble women and courtiers.
Beautiful video. Not because of any skillful cinematography but because of the inherent beauty of Kabuki itself. Mr. oh-so-soft-spoken englishman's non-stop drivel in the name of interpretive commentary however manages to kill the audio This nincumpoops non-stop prattle completely masks the beautiful music. Instead I wish there were subtitles - much more non-interfering..
Tiffenakou, could you please share where you bought this narrated set? I would love to support this lovely art and keep it in my treasured collection of Japanese cinema and films.I appreciate it very much. :)
@isabellemarie89 Yes. Specifically the noble court women in Heian era Japan(Think The Tale of Genji, if you're familiar with it). It was a sign of great beauty and grace. It was the highest physical virtue a woman could cultivate at the time, along with their ways of powdering their face white and dying their teeth black(curious i know, but they were dyed because white faces made teeth look yellow and unappealing). They also shaved off their eyebrows, then painted smudgy ones high on forehead.
I wonder how the audience knows what's happening...the video narrator said something about another narrator on stage but it doesn't seem like he's speaking Japanese. Unless everyone has already read the story...which is possible.
not trying to sound ignorant, although this will, but the flute at the beginning sounds like the flute in a LOT of Naruto music...which makes sense since much of naruto is inspired by folklore and the first series used more traditional instruments in many of it's musical themes. on a less nerdy note (maybe): That doesn't look anything like Kushi or Nami from Okami! jk. and the narrator dude makes me feel like we're watching a kabuki nature show. lolkinda...
@GothicShadow yes, the tale itself is fascinating.... a shame that there is no kabuki play about it, at least, that I have found online.. I have yet to have the priviledge to see a play live..
well traditionally women have been baned from Kabuki i doubt that you will see a woman playing at the Kabuki za theater, but in some villages with local kabuki plays they have been known to allow women in the play.
I don't mind the voice over. Yes its maybe a little unnecessary on a short snippet like this first video, but I think I'd struggle to watch a whole Kabuki play without somekind of info telling me what's going on. Even more so with Noh or Bunraku, recitals of which have been known to go on for up to twelve hours at a time!!!
Tiffenakou, can u send me a link to where i can buy the dvd collection of this im a huge lover of japan and its culture and i would love to own the dvd set can u help?
