Japanese Theater, Kabuki - Yoshitsune and the Thousand Cherry Trees / 義経千本桜 / full performance, subs

[@djsercy5879]

It's really impressive how they managed to completely remove shadows from the stage to replicate the paintings of old

[@SuperEman500]

Forget anime, this is way better.

[@felipecosta-kv2fx]

This is real life anime

[@robertsimon2885]

I mean...

[@maavss1217]

How

[@nkyfong]

Both is good. Plus, anime probably might have taken some aspects from Kabuki. I mean have you seen Gear 4 Luffy?

[@reneecarter6702]

Totally agree ❤

[@jamiesanchez8063]

Baby, I gotta skip town. Here, have this damn drum.

[@rabidrabbitshuggers]

In elementary school, every second grader did Japan week, which was basically a focus on Asia as a whole. Every second grader had to watch a kabuki play with puppets. Every second grader was told not to laugh. Every second grader laughed because it was fucking hilarious. I wish I could find it on KZbin.

[@killianoshaughnessy1174]

I can't believe I actually watched the whole thing out of genuine interest. I don't want to spoil it too much, but that's quite the plot twist.

[@betapicts]

I suspect that this has to do with the fact that this play does not include all 15 scenes.

[@killianoshaughnessy1174]

@@betapicts so this is way longer? like, nibelungenlied long?

[@betapicts]

In this video the episode with Tomomori takes about 43 minutes (21:44 - 1:04:51) However this same episode in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZbRg31mgK9qqKc takes nearly 2 houres! Indeed there are similarities between Kabuki and verses like the Nibelungenlied. Both deal with multiple epic stories in which loyalty, honor and duty play an important role. It is suggested that the ancient Japanese and German cultures link: both were cultures of “Soldatenvölker”.

[@killianoshaughnessy1174]

@@betapicts thanks for posting the longer version. I like it better, the audio translation makes it easy to follow what's going on. It also has some comic foils.

[@richardcleaver5440]

It's interesting to watch a performance before a non-Japanese audience. If we were seeing a performance at, say, the Kabuki-za in Tokyo, the audience would be shouting encouraging and appreciative comments (called kakegoe) at the actors at the high points, in places where there's only silence here.

[@voidlesslove3123]

Really? If so that's cool. Do the actors proceed through it or interact w/ the audience?

[@richardcleaver5440]

@@voidlesslove3123 At certain crucial points, they stop everything and strike a pose, called a mie--these are set, not spontaneous (goinjapanesque.com/05396/) --and that's a classic spot for shouting appreciation. but it can happen at any effective point. They don't respond, like a ballet dancer or opera singer taking a bow. Closeness with the audience is enhanced at certain points by using an elevated ramp that runs through the auditorium. Dramatic entrances and exits often happen there.

[@sol.ringen]

32:25 YOOOOOOOOOO

[@TheKing60210]

There it is!

[@smikkelbeer6352]

Thanks king

[@streethalo]

THANK YOU

[@sasquatchdonut2674]

Thanks

[@nostalgik._]

Masahiko Kinoshi/Ichikawa Ennosuke III rest well.. I just found out he passed away on 09.13.2023 🕊️✨Three months ago, I came across his work and fell in love with it. He became one of my favorite Kabuki actors.

[@kennylauderdale_en]

𝑌𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂~

[@Winter0263]

Truly a man of culture aren't you

[@TheCactusPlant]

I can hear this comment

[@merlinjames5954]

Not surprised at all to see you here

[@iwakuralain1459]

Ayyy Kenny

[@austinmcconnell]

K A B U K I

[@frijolero6976]

Wtf didn't expect you here

[@Eryus]

Fancy seeing you here

[@horseenthusiast9903]

Oh hello! Hope you enjoyed the play. It's one of my favourites

[@r4_in_space]

You can really see how kabuki influenced Japan's later animations.

[@sicada66]

right? the dramatic angles and zoom-ins are so clearly inspired by this art

[@Yani.Rangkuti]

Finally I watched kabuki at tokyo theater a few months ago because our school gave us cheap ticket for foreigner student only. Oh my God... they were really amazing. I really really like kabuki. Thanks Yoshida

[@voidlesslove3123]

Man, how different was it seeing it in person?

[@NPC-qo9fr]

Actually sat and watched the whole thing...

[@betapicts]

that's the spirit!

[@falloutwanderer23]

@Slobbering SJW It’s a form of entertainment-

[@oschawolff7852]

@NPC #3628469 , as did. A good play says I.

[@unpopulartrip5827]

Yeah I was looking up random kabuki but this got me hooked

[@Nostxalgic]

It’s oddly very captivating

[@vieau5064]

It's my first time hearing a onna-gata having a voice that high, amazing!

[@germa985.]

I’m overjoyed to have access to this play! Yoshitsune is such an important figure to me, and to have subtitles is even better! Thank you for uploading! ❤

[@ricardolujan5571]

Yoshitsune is my fav hero of all Japanese History

[@gchungus]

bruh I always thought the weird poses in the paintings/prints were for dramatic effect/artistic license but no they really do them

[@betapicts]

yeah, I luv those Japanese images

[@alternateA]

Thats the sauce, and I love it

[@axelpatrickb.pingol3228]

They actually serve both. Mie poses serve as a way for the audience to savor the moment of the play and for dramatic effect...

[@mortalclown3812]

This was so cool. First full length Kabuki I've seen. Hooked. Grateful for subtitles.

[@iliketurtles559]

Not going to lie, this is one of the best things i have ever seen in my life.

[@expression3639]

Now I am really upset that I cannot seem to find any other subtitled Kabuki play anywhere. I really enjoyed every minute of this.

[@betapicts]

showing how difficult it is translating Kabuki

[@nuf412]

Watching it in real life must feel amazing, the sounds of the instruments and the actors' voices resonating through your body

[@voidlesslove3123]

IKR

[@mason6300]

watching this half-drunk gives a whole new level of appreciation for the art form

[@dadshoe7607]

Must have been so fun to do costume design

[@richardcletus6026]

What a bizarre and fascinating display. I like it though. Cant expect any live theater to be all that great, but this is pretty dope.

[@Mario87456]

Kabuki plays are so weird yet really fascinating at the same time.

[@voidlesslove3123]

This was amazing! I love Japanese theatre, it always finds a way to invigorate the soul and instil precision. I love when the fox yokai, finally gets his drum back, it was the best thing ever.

[@MrCantStopTheRobot]

It's really pure. Also I feel that opening up to understand why they look, act, and sound this way is good mental exercise.

[@Im-fq1mn]

(◕ᴥ◕)🎍🇯🇵🎎

[@noahbirthisel3285]

Tomomori's final lines made me gasp, the blood on his face could also symbolize how in the end his character is that of a honorable and brave warrior. I'm in awe.

[@robertsimon2885]

So. This is Kabuki theater. Japan has such a unique and fascinating culture.

[@wariodude128]

Didn't understand half of what was going on, but thoroughly enjoyed watching this. Likely a cultural thing. The one guy doing a flip from the top of a large structure to a lower structure, then a flip to the stage, really impressed me. That could have gone really badly but it didn't, so he has my respect. The guy who was The Fox was also really impressive. Wish there was more like this so I could watch them too.

[@betapicts]

Kabuki, an experience....

[@mortalclown3812]

I didn't know how much Kabuki figured into Kurosawa's films - especially "Dreams" from the 80s

[@pr0v0cative4pple]

Incredible range of emotion and conveyance of action. The narrator, musicians, and actors have amazing synchrocity. Not to mention the dozens of literally invisible stagehands operating the stage itself. Traditional Japanese theatre is super interesting.

[@fritadosebbl9814]

I read the subtitles for the first five minutes. After that I just listened. The language and how the actors speak it is just so beautiful.

[@killianoshaughnessy1174]

20:13 - 21:07 I want this whole sequence to be my exit from any venue.

[@apatheticAstronaut]

I think 1:13:07 is far superior

[@horseenthusiast9903]

You can do it, make your dreams come true! Just might not look as awesome without the costume and makeup and years of theatrical training lol

[@WildDogShenzi]

Thank you! I've wanted to see this play in full for a very long time! I absolutely loved it!

[@betapicts]

nice comment! thank you

[@reneecarter6702]

Absolutely gorgeous. So much energy and precision placed into every move and expression. ❤❤❤ 🎭

[@milxyway7072]

This made me cry sooooo much and it kept me SOOO intringed the whole time. It made me feel so wonderful!!!

[@blastromlifyedah]

Actor: ***dies*** Narrator: IIIIIINSEEEEEERT NAAAAAAAAAAAME HEEEEEEEEEEEERE DIIIIIIIIEEEEESSS

[@TheFlyingBrain.]

What's really sad about this performance is that the Amsterdam audience has absolutely no idea how to respond to the traditional movements, poses, and cries made by the actors. In a traditional Kabuki performance in Japan, the audience would be shouting and clapping with excitement whenever an actor strikes a particularly artful pose with perfect timing and coordination with the musicians, or a stunt is performed particularly well. Real kabuki is almost an audience-coordinated participatory art form, in which the audience's responses are as much a part of the excitement and delight of the experience as much as the performance itself. The responses of the audience are so much a part of the experience, that you could describe it like a dance taking place between the actors and the audience. There's nothing else in this world quite like a professional Kabuki performance like this one, when performed before an appreciative, educated Japanese audience...

[@betapicts]

I don't think the director agrees with you, see kzbin.info/www/bejne/ol6YdYVjpcyKg80 at 14: 15 - Reception in the West

[@TheFlyingBrain.]

@@betapicts And I would reply, Enosuke III is busy building the bridges between East and West he mentions in his remarks at 14:15 in your referenced link. Well and good. That's his job, I'm sure, as he saw it at that time. Do you really think he's going to come right out and say, "Gee, I wish you baka gaijin had bothered to understand a little more about our deep commitment to refinement in our art than you actually do, now, 35 years after you defeated us in war, no less!"...? Of course not. He wisely leaves that to someone like me to point out, a native of the baka gaijin European culture, another 35 years later! His purpose at that time was to promote his art in the West. My purpose, however, is to alert the often unobservant and incurious Western audience to the fact that there might be more to appreciate here than the casual surface observation that so many are currently prone to here in the West might reveal.

[@TheFlyingBrain.]

@@betapicts Granted, our current obsession with the idea that "everything is beautiful in its own way" may have its points, but certainly not in all ways and in all circumstances. And that's OK. That there's always room for improvement is what ultimately makes life interesting. BTW, I didn't thank you for posting this recording, and that was an oversight on my part. The opportunity to see a full Kabuki performance outside of a live performance in Tokyo or Kyoto is still, amazingly, all too rare.

[@TheFlyingBrain.]

In fact, check out this brief clip of one of Ennosuke's performances before a live audience in Japan (probably the theatre in Tokyo) at 8:00 in this 1984 documentary about Ennosuke III kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5Wvgaear9qhrsk. In it you can clearly hear the frequent responsive applause from the audience and shouts from enthusiastic fans in the balconies just in the space of a few minutes. This is what I was talking about -- this is all part of the excitement of a truly great Kabuki performance in Japan. Or certainly it was when I was lucky enough to attend a few of them in the 1970's.

[@betapicts]

@@TheFlyingBrain. - very attentive, thank you

[@rexolz2342]

Aside watching this video to answer my school work. The performance was quite good though.

[@satanicdude]

9:11 thats what I came for.

[@TinaICXCNIKA]

Oh my gosh, I'm SO EXCITED to find a Kabuki with English Subtitles. THANK YOU! BTW, after reading through dozens of comments, I'd like you to know that your translation was NOT a waste of time nor was it pointless. Well done, @betapics! 👏

[@soulshouter109]

What an amazing performance by the actors! Splendid!

[@omfgacceptmyname]

that was incredible. I'm extremely grateful this exists here and i wish for there to be more content like this

[@momocha5154]

It’s so good! I really like it and will watch more kabuki performances! I’m from China. In China we watch Peking opera. I think that and kabuki are very similar things. But kabuki is good at tell story,there are more dialogue in it. And Peking opera is good at describing the scene of battle and war. On the influence of the traditional performance,China is good at action movies,as the actors such as Jackie Chan was a Peking opera actor. And Japanese developed awesome movie and animes based on kabuki and Noh... Hoping somebody recommended more kabuki and Noh with English subtitles to me. Thanks!!! I really like this one!!!!

[@mortalclown3812]

I've also been watching Peking opera and Noh. Opens the world up for this old white chick from Alabama. 😊

[@Sparkster217]

Forget YOOOOOO We got EEEEEeeeEEEEeeEe 18:43

[@manuu.6788]

Wow, that looks so much fun. I hope that Ill get to see one in person one day!!!

[@vectorperkins6685]

anyone watching this without any extensive knowledge of kabuki, i highly recommend watching videos of the history and outfits. every little thing has extreme significant value down to the dances and makeup. even the colors of the outfits are symbols of both the character's and actor's heritage. very interesting.

[@JordanManfrey]

YOOOOOOoooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[@hammyhamster02]

YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[@Havocking117]

Obi-wan: Thats why I'm here

[@Kris.G]

@@Havocking117 Hello there

[@J.C.Tavares]

10:26 I wish pass through my life problems just like Lord Tadanobu pass through his enemies!

[@Micool21]

It's 4 in the morning and my god its wonderful

[@PEPEDEBARRO]

The actor in the role of Tomomori is SUPERB!

[@lydoofusbinderp9853]

Right?? You can really feel and see the emotion from him, even moreso than usual with Kabuki shows! He did so well!

[@violet-yh5kt]

my favorite anime

[@dustinmoreshed5614]

For the first 3 minutes I couldn’t get over the way they’re talking, around 15 minutes I realized I didn’t care, this is actually really good lol

[@kirararamiki6563]

This is an amazing piece of art very entertaining you get caught by the actors and the drama !! I love it

[@TheRunningComedian]

I feel like most kabuki is satirical and comedic in nature.

[@killianoshaughnessy1174]

I don't find a story where a child of two mythical fox-parents were slain and their skins used as materials to make a drun as comedic 🤔

[@revolverocelot8106]

@@killianoshaughnessy1174 it ceirtanly evolved from satirical to serious

[@User7624name]

Yeah, I wasn't really expecting that!

[@初谷美和子]

ありがとうございました❤

[@johninman7545]

Love it

[@johninman7545]

Thanks KZbin!

[@u.kw1461]

This is amazing. I've always wanted to see kabuki

[@MrCantStopTheRobot]

I see this story as being about resolving and reconciling the baggage you accumulate on the way up a social ladder.

[@volgg]

such a beautiful performance!

[@arisha_bitk]

Poor shizuka... having such a boyfriend. 😥

[@bigbakerbob]

Lord Yoshitsune wears VERY extravagant clothing. They are very nice

[@zach3394]

Tomomori wears even more extravagant clothing.

[@treblebat]

Trying to make this as spoiler free as possible: The connection between the Child and the Nurse is heartbreaking. She vows to follow the child, yes, but the child vows to follow her as well.

[@mortalclown3812]

💔💯

[@TheMisleduser]

When do they say YOOO.

[@JordanManfrey]

9:11 - you get a whole bunch of em

[@azaiav2480]

In Japanese History Yoshitsune was known to be the greatest warrior in Japan

[@plant7789]

He really tied homegirl to a tree and dipped

[@piratestyleadventures7185]

Thank you Japan! So beautiful! America Loves you more than you could ever know! So elegant, so colorful, so full of history and life! Never change your gorgeous tradition! The Earth needs you!

[@horseenthusiast9903]

Thank you so much for posting this! It can be tricky to find kabuki plays that are fully subtitled, which sucks for me because I LOVE kabuki plays but the only languages I know are English and Yurok. I've been meaning to see this classic for a while now anyway, and this was the perfect opportunity. I especially loved the tragic end of Tomomori and the acrobatics of the kitsune! Again, thank you for posting this.

[@betapicts]

you're welcome, unfortunately no Yurok subtitles 😊

[@scottsantana2248]

If only we had a Kabuki theater in Los Angeles!

[@Kurabuman]

unless you know fluent japanese you'll need to bring a translator. Or the show would be westernized and presented in english and all of america would cringe simultaneously

[@mortalclown3812]

Scott, agree. Maybe they could borrow LA Opera stage.

[@childofcascadia]

@Kurabuman Some of the bigger Kabuki theaters in Japan offer English translation headsets/subtitle printouts explaining the narration, since foreigners often enjoy seeing Kabuki plays. It wouldnt be that hard to do in the US.

[@meltyninjers]

Johnny Test: Haha, nobody uses the whip sound more than I do! Yoshitsune: Hold my sake

[@sebastianmelmoth685]

Just wonderful. Enjoyed every second. Thank you so much.

[@blackmetalbby]

This is way better than anime.

[@felipecosta-kv2fx]

This is live action anime

[@silverkip2992]

There was a recent episode of One Piece where there was a kabuki-style scene

[@mariescarth1756]

Absolutely awestruck! I enjoyed the storyline there was a twist and turns was highly stylized there was emotion too and everything that a story should have including ❤ love No different to western or Shakespearean plays.

[@mortalclown3812]

Exactly... Kabuki started hundreds of years ago: all great dramatic theatre owes a debt.

[@kath5201]

Thanks for the english subtitles!!! I could truly enjoy the Play!

[@ThatSceneKittyCatFemboy]

All the "mie" are on point! EDIT: Sorry for the spelling error. Plus, the Onnugatta performers are AMAZING, especially the guy playing Shizuka.

[@ReadingWithJT]

Playing the instruments sounds and looks like fun!

[@gheko9662]

im watching this for school but seriously, this video scares the shit out of me

[@gheko9662]

big respect to performance tho

[@midnightowl4682]

I'm 3 months late but yeah same here and dear god-- my brain is just trying to comprehend what is happening-- the performance was good tho although I don't understand it much c':

[@mastodontedepapel4593]

La primera vez que vi kabuki tenía 16/17 años. Siglos después me sigue ALUCINANDO !!!!!

[@johninman7545]

I longed to see Kabuki since I was a kid. Sayonara the film was my introduction. 1957

[@BetaAyres]

Just watched the whole thing. Thank you so much for posting and translating it all. This is marvelous! Looking forward to seeing more kabuki from you. Thank you again.

[@babies2566]

POV: nandito ka kasi walang mstinong sagot sa brainly

[@aku26]

Weird to think that the child emperor actor is in his 40s now

[@betapicts]

Sh*t happens :-)

[@plant7789]

“That’s fine boobies make a name and catch me.” WHAT LOL I’m so much more interested in this than anything on tv

[@CzarinaLace]

33:58 that is an amazing sound

[@Lirio-u4z]

the voice that man gave to Shizuka is just.... ya know

[@Ivy99999]

0:03:06 the look on his face is like "Uhg, I sent this clingy chick away and then ran away in hiding and she still managed to find me." It's such a look of annoyance, distain and disappointment that's just so hilarious haha.

[@iamsoboredyknow]

Hahaha, its like *"he's disgusted"* lol

[@mypeepeeisbig4190]

This popped in my reccomendation lol... Never searched for Japanese culture. Btw, this was entertaining, thanks for uploading!

[@kirklurkpu4470]

I'm a weeb, but no ordinary weeb....

[@Zbxwzz]

SAME

[@alexandrefueta5300]

EXTREME CULTURE

[@zach3394]

The video quality might not be up to modern standards, but the audio is amazing. I love how their voices sound, even though I don't know the language they are speaking in. Idk. I'm weird. XD

[@Yitxi]

I'm a play write to my group and this is what our teacher in Mapeh gave us. Kabuki. I am actually working on the story... Then made the story without knowing and forgetting that this is what i should do in my story. I feel like it's so hard to breathe, don't know why.. But this gives me idea. I'm not going up to make the story. It just hard bc i keep imagining of korea 😂 I'm sorry. And how the actors will do too. Realky sorry... I'll do my best to make it just like really a Kabuki

[@gabeestrada8854]

Hi! How did it go? :) would love read the finish product or even drafts. Production Design student here from the Philippines :))

[@Yitxi]

@@gabeestrada8854.... It... Didn't go that well... Buuut.. That doesn't mean that I'll give up. I'll improve my writing skills hehw

[@lorislonglostaccount6029]

Pov: you watch this because of school, but ended up watching the whole thing with fear.

[@mortalclown3812]

😂💯

[@wvvollenhoven]

My thanks indeed :)

[@lgbtaresins]

🤙 ありがとうございます😊

[@betapicts]

どういたしまして 😉

[@kairu1079]

If You Want To See All Of The Battles Here It Is All: 10:16 45:24 1:50:28 1:55:38 If I Forget Another Battle Just Reply It

[@thegreedyworm3120]

I’d love it if everyone dressed up this intensely for their day to day lives

[@SMGyal]

Literally

[@killianoshaughnessy1174]

9:12 - 9:34 i want this whole sequence to be my entrance into any venue.

[@richardcletus6026]

"Ticket, sir." Bounces down the aisle on one leg and presents ticket between fingers, with the palm stretched tight. "Alright..... Enjoy the show." Tilts head back and locks to one side, cocking forward and repeating the action. "Makes sure to let an attendant know if you get too hot. We've been havi...." Snaps wrist up to face with a quick pause, quickly snapping a paper fan to it open position.

[@killianoshaughnessy1174]

@@richardcletus6026 My entourage of intrumentalists and yooists would have to stay outside; I ain't paying for their tickets.

[@Beccati.sto.trapezio]

Me After a fart 🤣🤣

[@nostop4524]

Oh geez....the women speaking roles aren't too kind to my ears, but this is an awesome performance

[@noahbirthisel3285]

@@chrispham6599 Go listen to Peking opera then its exactly the same as the Onnagata.

[@Bxu021]

Wow this is interesting, its cool seeing the different types of theatre

[@mikhail2876]

20:48 Yooo he be vibin' 😂

[@Ivy99999]

Lmao I clicked the timestamp and don't have my audio on (I already watched this and was checking a reply), and it was so funny cause ya, vibin

[@iwakuralain1459]

Lmaoo 😂😂

[@kairu1079]

1:47:07 1:31:51 1:42:17 1:48:33 1:50:28 1:53:51 1:49:00 1:15:35 1:19:14 My Favorite Parts. I have a lot of comments in this video hehe

[@mortalclown3812]

A lot of comments here have helped my enjoyment of the play: until now, I had only seen brief installments of Kabuki performances.

[@switchthechannel6317]

2:42 the looks on their faces say it all.

[@Jibblingdibbles]

amazing innit

[@diaz322]

Jamal

[@Jibblingdibbles]

@@diaz322 SO TRUE????