The Appeal of Kabuki, presented by the National Theatre

"Among the various genres of Japanese traditional performing arts represented at the National Theatre in Tokyo, Kabuki in particular enjoys great popularity. The Japanese people have enjoyed Kabuki since the Edo period (1603-1868) and its staging and performance styles have been refined over 400 years. Three of the most iconic Kabuki characters are introduced in this video as examples of different acting styles.
First, we see the character of Goro in the play Ya no Ne (Arrowhead), a brave hero who defeats villains with his superhuman strength. He exemplifies the ""aragoto"" style, which features dynamic and exaggerated movements as well as extravagant wigs, costumes and the distinctive ""kumadori"" makeup, all of which are used to convey the character's energy and youthful exuberance. The second character is the evil magician Nikki Danjo, a perfect example of how even ruthless villains can become a favorite among Kabuki audience. He is the epitome of the ""charming villain,"" a recurring theme in Kabuki's unique aesthetics. Finally, we find The Spirit of Shishi, a popular Kabuki character that portrays a ""shishi"" (a mythological lion-like animal) fiercely swaying his long mane. The play Renjishi (Two Lions) depicts with dynamic movements a father lion training his son by pushing him into a ravine and the cub trying to climb back up.
A comprehensive art that embodies the essence of Japanese traditional culture, Kabuki is a form of live entertainment that still thrives to this day."