HYBRID | TALK AND DEMONSTRATION: The Costumes of Kabuki

Discover the splendour and beauty of kabuki costumes through a talk and demonstration of kitsuke, the technique of dressing kimono, by Ōkubo Hiroyoshi and Sakaguchi Midori. Kabuki is one of the four forms of classical Japanese theatre, along with Noh, kyōgen (comic theatre) and bunraku (puppet theatre). Lavish and intricately decorated costumes are a signature feature of kabuki, and together with stunning make-up, sophisticated wigs and bold acting style are a real treat for the eyes of spectators. Kabuki is a theatre form in which only male actors appear on stage. Female roles are performed by male actors called onnagata, who specialize and excel in capturing femininity through subtle gestures, movements and manner of speaking. The costumes presented during the event belong to one of the most acclaimed and celebrated onnagata actors, Bandō Tamasaburō V. The event offers a rare opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into how kabuki actors are dressed in their stage costumes. There is an opportunity for audience members to ask questions and marvel at the original costumes of one of kabuki’s most cherished actors, who has been designated a ‘Living National Treasure’ in 2012. The event at Japan House coincides with the exhibition Kabuki Kimono: The Costumes of Bandō Tamasaburō V at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford organized in collaboration with the Japan Foundation and supported by the Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation, The Shikanai Foundation, D-T Ltd, IndigoRose Project, British Airways, Japan Airlines, and Hugh Fraser Foundation. About the speakers Ōkubo Hiroyoshi was born in 1979 into a family of craftsmen specialising in costume making for classical Japanese dance. He started learning classical dance at the age of three and at the age of 14 he was certified by the Sōke Fujima school in November 1993. He has performed, among others, on the stage of National Theatre of Japan. Since March 2002, he has been involved in the making, maintenance, management and kitsuke of kabuki costumes. He has worked on costumes for numerous classic and new kabuki productions. Currently, as a classical dance costume designer, he is working on the preservation and development of this art form. Sakaguchi Midori was born in 1979 into a family of Noh performers of the Kanze school. She debuted on stage at the age of three and graduated from the Department of Traditional Japanese Music of Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, majoring in Noh theatre. As a student she received the Ataka Prize, awarded to students with outstanding academic achievements. She has also received a master's degree in performing arts from Goldsmiths, University of London. After working as a secretary for writer Hayashi Nozomu, her former teacher at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music and the author of England is Delicious, she has been involved in numerous Noh and kabuki performances in Japan and abroad, as well as in the promotion of classical performing arts. #Japan #japanhouselondon #event #hybridevent #kabuki #theatre #costume