Five Thieves, Five Acts

 At Tokyo's beautiful Kabukiza Theater we saw a popular play, The Five Thieves (Shiranami Gonin Otoko).  It was first performed in 1862 and is about the escapades of a notorious gang of five bandits.  This "evening show" began at 4:30 p.m. and contained five flamboyant acts--and we stayed for all five. (Often only one or two acts are performed.)  Most patrons brought or pre-ordered box-dinner and drinks.    There were two 20-30 minute intermissions and the show lasted four hours.   Our $60 tickets on the second-highest tier were designed for Japanese people.  Tall patrons beware: Available leg room at this level makes economy aircraft cabins look roomy!

Kabuki began 400 years ago as an all-female art form.   The offbeat, risque performances continued for 30 years until the Shogun, believing them to be subversive, outlawed all further female performances.  From then on, kabuki became a male-only art form with men performing both male and female roles.  And so it continues today.

This is not a character from The Five Thieves.  Photos are not allowed during performances and they are sure that Westerners are given these instructions numerous times including several personal visits to our seats by the monitors.   
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Characters can be fictional or based on historical characters.  In costume and style, kabuki remains quite authentic with actors careful to stay close to the original.  Nearly every aspect of the performance is exaggerated and contains layers of meaning.   Though the plays are highly stylized, they do more than just mirror daily life of the Edo Period.   Kabuki magnifies themes such as envy, greed, deceit, shame,  honorable death, revenge, and so forth.   The Five Thieves contained many of these themes.  Other Kabuki plays promote themes of duty and loyalty to one's master, family and country.

It is very difficult for foreigners to understand the plot, symbolism, and subtle nuances so the theater provides English-headsets (for a fee) that are perfectly timed with the acting to explain the meaning.   Many Kabuki actors have Holly-wood-like celebrity status in Japan so patrons shout out during performances.  In my opinion, that is one of the best parts about Kabuki.  I love how the audience interacts with the show!   Beyond the eye-popping, bold costumes and make-up, the over-sized props and rotating sets, foreigners need interpretation to appreciate kabuki theater. 

If you get a chance to see a kabuki performance, do not pass it up.  It is a one-of-a-kind experience.