Kabuki star wants to reach younger, global audience

TikTok + hip-hop and your in

Kabuki is not my thing.

Theatrical acting - notably Shakespeare used to be popular back in the UK. Acting has since adapted.

In the world of kabuki, a stage name is handed down over generations in a family in a male-only hereditary system and carries a great responsibility and honor. 

The myoseki 名跡 title succession never has to be based on the bloodline. In the recent case, Danjuro XI, the current Danjuro's grandfather was adopted by the family. Danjuros III, IV, VII and IX were also adopted from outside.

Historically the origin of Kabuki is a theatrical dancing band whose gigs were performed by women.

Kabuki, live, in the kabuki-za theatre is awesome. The sets are amazing as are the stories, make-up and costume. I hope he achieves his goal. If done right, kabuki could have great global appeal.

First watched Kabuki 40 years ago in London and then in Amsterdam. Women were banned from performing in kabuki theatre in 1629.

A kabuki star who recently assumed a prestigious stage name

This guy is so famous in Japan that an article published in Japan should start directly by mentioning his name, and not “ a. kabuki star” like if we were from outside the country.

Not going to happen.

Younger, maybe it’s possible, maybe. Global, forget it. Are the prices for tickets still absurd?

How much is a Broadway ticket? Or Radio City and Maddison Sq Gardens.

November Program at the Kabukiza Theatre

Tickets

Box Seat: ¥25,000

First Class Seat: ¥23,000

Second Class Seat: ¥18,000

Upper Tier A ¥8,000

Upper Tier B ¥6,000

https://www.kabukiweb.net/theatres/kabukiza/november_8/

Those prices are not expensive.

enjoy kabuki performance thanks for the hard work,

He has already sold his son to this pantomime so guilt forces him to promote it. In the face of declining audiences and a long old type of story telling. A short exhibition at a tourist attraction is where this is heading.

November Program at the Kabukiza Theatre

Tickets

Box Seat: ¥25,000

First Class Seat: ¥23,000

Second Class Seat: ¥18,000

Those prices are not expensive.

A family of four or a group of 4 young adult: 72,000 to 100,000 yen, just for the tickets. For one show.

Not including transportation, food or souvenirs.

Yeah, it's just a drop in the well, buddy.

See you in the lobby...................

I get his intention and probably there are people that like the experiments he is supporting but for me the traditional way of doing kabuki is valuable precisely because of all the details that have been maintained for such a long time. It may be necessary to diversify and try new things to attract a wider audience but the final objective in my opinion would be to attract them to the original art.

Maybe focusing on the less "difficult" versions of the art like Kyogen would also be of use, the plays are short, fun and easy to understand even with the ancient Japanese in the dialogs.

JTC..

Kabuki is not my thing.

I once sat through a full performance.... begging for it to finish. I was a guest so couldn't just slip out.

Worse than the baseball game I had to endure.... and that went to extra innings! Zzzzz

Kabuki is amazing, it is not for everyone, only for those who know how to appreciate this beautiful art.

shogun36

Upper Tier A ¥8,000

Upper Tier B ¥6,000

People do not usually take their children to the theater.

 4 young adults. ¥24,000 to ¥32,000

If you go to a nightclub you would spend much more. Or a music concert.

For a J-Pop or J-Rock band, you can expect to spend roughly between ¥6,000 and ¥9,000. For international bands tickets start at ¥10,000.

With the falling population, even less people will go to Kabuki which isn't even very popular now. So many fine arts and performing arts in Japan think they’re elite which cuts them off from the general population. I took my son to an art museum 10yrs ago in Ueno. Lots of dirty looks because they felt children shouldn’t be there. Took him to a jazz venue at night; same thing. It's not even because kids are noisy or making trouble. Their presence is enough to piss people off because they feel fine and performing arts are not for children.

Now when their audience numbers are dwindling they’re going to ask why aren't people coming without realizing that making yourself inaccessible to kids means shooting yourself in the foot for future supporters.

As for trying to appeal to international markets, I understand why they need to do it (hardly anyone in Japan will be interested & plummeting population) but.....good luck with that. Unless you change it for modern audiences, interest will be minimal.

"In the world of kabuki, a stage name is handed down over generations in a family in a male-only hereditary system and carries a great responsibility and honor."

Like getting into drunken brawls at bars?

I'm sure there is a small group of people that actually enjoy it, but even as someone working in design and had things that could interest me I found it very hard to keep myself awake during the show/performance, I barely made it.

People that pay for these things are old people looking for an experience from the past, tourists that wants to experience it once, or people that thinks it shows status, especially if they see it abroad.