The Kabuki Theatre

The Kabuki Theatre by Earle Ernst is a detailed introduction to Japan’s spectacular traditional drama. This digital edition is provided as a PDF and is available for instant download.

Ernst, Professor of Drama and Theatre at the University of Hawaii, wrote this book for readers who may never have seen a Kabuki performance. He explains the background, the physical theatre, the audience, the stage, the actor, and the plays.

The original text from the 1956 Oxford University Press edition is preserved in this digital download.

Book Overview

The Kabuki Theatre is a scholarly yet accessible study of one of Japan’s most distinctive performing arts. The author explores the philosophical, political, and aesthetic attitudes that shaped Kabuki and compares its techniques of expression with those of the Western theatre.

The book treats Kabuki behind the scenes and follows the development of the drama form from its origins to the modern world, including the effect of the American occupation.

With 58 drawings and photographs, the volume documents every phase of Kabuki for students, theatre historians, and general readers.

What You’ll Discover Inside

• The historical background against which Kabuki originated
• The physical theatre and its evolution
• The audience and its attitudes toward performance
• The elements of a Kabuki performance and the stage
• The role of the actor and the nature of Kabuki plays and characters
• Kabuki and the modern world, including the American occupation
• Comparisons between Kabuki and Western theatrical techniques

Why This Book Matters

The Kabuki Theatre was among the first books to examine Kabuki behind the scenes and to relate it to Japanese graphic arts, poetry, Buddhist and Confucian thought, and typical patterns of Japanese behaviour.

It contains material that had not appeared in English or in European languages, with particular value for students of theatre history.

Book Details

Device Compatibility

This title is a digital download, so there is no physical shipping. Access is available immediately after purchase.

The PDF works with appropriate Kindle apps, tablets, desktop computers, mobile devices, and common reading applications.

FAQ

How do I receive The Kabuki Theatre after purchasing?
You receive an instant download. Access is available after purchase through your digital library.

Will a physical copy be shipped?
No. This is a digital edition only, delivered as a PDF file.

Which devices can I use?
The PDF can be opened on Kindle apps, tablets, desktops, mobile devices, and compatible reading apps.

Purchase The Kabuki Theatre today and begin reading this classic study of Japanese drama.

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