Young kabuki actor's debut breaks Japanese theater traditions

The special Maholo Memorial Lunch served during intermission includes 

He is still alive - yet has a "Memorial" lunch in his honor? Confused.

Good luck to this Japanese-French child Kabuki actor- may he have a long career, whether in France, Japan or anywhere.

And all while receiving our tax money from the government.

Kabuki is heavily subsidized as a dubious "cultural asset".

And all while receiving our tax money from the government.

Kabuki is heavily subsidized as a dubious "cultural asset".

And in West? The Arts aren't subsidized? For example:

US

The National Endowment for the Arts is an independent federal agency that funds, promotes, and strengthens the creative capacity of our communities by providing all Americans with diverse opportunities for arts participation

UK

Funding for England is distributed from central government via the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). The DCMS directly funds some large museums and galleries such as Tate and the British Museum.

I guess you dont't have a problem with funding "dubious cultural assets" such as Opera and the Tate??? But you have problem with Kabuki?

Love Kabuki.

I would like to watch Kabuki one day, although I am about sure it is so slow I will get tired.

It is the Japanese theater in fact.

About that young actor, he is at his place because of family roots, not due to his particular skills.

Funny and revealing end of the article. Yes saucisson is best meat for general usage, so sad Japan and many other country are "protecting" against it while it can be kept for ages in the fridge. About freedom, needless to say the truth comes out from children' words.

Article should have explained what ASMR is. It stands for autonomous sensory meridian response, the kind of stimuli one can get from visual or audio. You get a tingling, static-like, or goosebumps sensation.

Only happens for me with strong audio so that would explain why some and only some people get to like Kabuki.

@Greenstingray Those subsidized cultural institutions that you mention in the U.S and U.K. are open to all who wish to participate. Kabuki is not!

Cheese, chips and avocado dip for lunch and a half French Kabuki actor is not going to fool us that Kabuki is willing to change. As long as females and those from outside the Kabuki families are not allowed to join I do not see why it should be subsidized by taxpayers.

Re ‘Whisper ASMR’… (?) thanks JP above.

He likes ‘making beats’?

People are complaining because Kabuki is all male. Well, Takarazuka Review (宝塚歌劇団) is all female. Should that be ended to? Also remember that, for example, in Shakespeare's time, all cast members were played by males, and female characters were played by boys.

Greenstingray...

I guess you dont't have a problem with funding "dubious cultural assets" such as Opera and the Tate??? But you have problem with Kabuki?

I have a problem with governments wasting money to support the hobbies of the predominately wealthy whether that is the arts, opera or in this case kabuki.

Mr Kipling

The Kabuki theater existed before your arrival here. Dates from the 1600s'

Your tax paid is a drop in the ocean and certainly, you get more benefits than what you pay for.

I have attended Kabuki for 50 years, here and in Europe.

There is less art funding in Japan than in the UK.

There is no mention of funding in the post. Do you have any actual figures?

Theater Under Threat: Ensuring the Survival of Japan’s Traditional Performing Arts

https://www.nippon.com/en/in-depth/d00720/

All the arts suffered badly during the pandemic with many venues closed to the public.

Art and culture is a very important aspect of any society.

I have a problem with governments wasting money to support the hobbies of the predominately wealthy whether that is the arts, opera or in this case kabuki.

Arts funding is a tiny fraction of any government budget. It is a small price to pay to keep a little bit of civilization alive.

Kabuki is heavily subsidized as a dubious "cultural asset".

If some activity you engage in has a 400 year history, you are free to call Kabuki a dubious "cultural asset". Otherwise you come off as someone that doesn't value culture full stop.

Much art funding comes from private sources and donations.

I am not a fan of classical music or opera but I'm happy they exist for those who want it.

Kabuki used to be a kind of pop culture supported by fee-paying audiences during the Edo period. Now it’s a dying form of art barely afloat with government subsidies. Maybe it’s time for Kabuki to fade away and disappear.

@Takaraszuka is a privately funded group so they can do what they want. Although I have a feeling there is a lot of dark stuff going on there that probably will come out sooner or later just like Johnny's jimusho. Shakespeare was 400 years ago. Times have changed and anyone can be in a Shakespeare play.

@Wallace Opera, classical music, ballet-anyone can join. Kabuki is only for males and people from a kabuki family. There lies the problem!

Ironically Kabuki was originally created and performed by females. You can read about it here-https://www.tokyoweekender.com/art_and_culture/japanese-culture/no-women-kabuki-theater-japan/

Maholo is SO charming!

SO delightful!!

SO Etc!!!

Now it’s a dying form of art barely afloat with government subsidies.

And the same thing can be said about  orchestras and operas and ballets  in the west. Almost all of them received some form of government help.

Maybe its time for them to fade away in the west.

Takaraszuka is a privately funded group so they can do what they want.

Takaraszuka is own by Hankyu railroad. Hankyu , which is a public company, is still subject to anti-discrimination laws of Japan.  As is Takarazuka.

classical music, ballet-anyone can join

Yeah right. How many black conductors do you know? How many women?

Although I have a feeling there is a lot of dark stuff going on there that probably will come out sooner or later just like Johnny's jimusho

And Arts in the west are clean?

One in three women in Sydney Symphony Orchestra experienced sexual harassment

https://www.smh.com.au/culture/music/one-in-three-women-in-sydney-symphony-orchestra-experienced-sexual-harassment-20220804-p5b75c.html

and your feeling could be right but about the wrong country.

Now it’s a dying form of art barely afloat with government subsidies.

Violin virtuoso joins ‘real battle’ to save classical music from UK funding cuts

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/may/07/nicola-benedetti-battle-to-save-classical-music-from-funding-cuts 

It looks like Japan is not the only funding the arts. Japan is just doing it better.