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900
Wayang Kulit
Wayang Kulit is performed with shadow puppets made of water buffalo hide, originally developed from scroll puppetry. It is most popular in Bali and in Central Java. The leather puppets are carved with intricate designs and painted. Buffalo horn is used for the rods that manipulate the figures. (Khan Academy-Introduction to the puppet theatre of Indonesia) -
1375
Noh Theatre
In 1375, significant developments in Noh theatre began. Noh was classified into five types according to principal character: god, warrior, women, madness, demon. In present day Noh theatre, it is more common that the program consists of 2 types of Noh plays and a comic, rather than all five. Dialogue outlines circumstances that lead up to and culminate in a dance. Most of the lines were sung or intoned. A Noh production, "Shrine in the Fields", came out in 1400. (Brocket 304) -
Bunraku
Bunraku was believed to have the most complex puppet performance in the world. The scenery represented all locales; it also changed as the actions required. (Brocket 309) -
Kabuki
Kabuki was the most popular of the traditional forms and was more open to change; included much scenery, and was divided into several acts emphasizing highly emotional events. "Chushingura", a production created by Takeda Izumo II took a full day to perform and came out in 1748. The song & narration made for these types of performances was important. Almost all movement bordered on dance with bold makeup and a combo of stylized speaking and dancing. Traditional costumes were used. (Brocket 310) -
Chikamatsu Monzaemon
Wrote Sonezaki Shinju at the Takemotoza beginning a series of 24 sewamono featuring the tragic loves of ordinary people. He also wrote a series of great historical plays. At the end of his life, between 1717 and 1722, he wrote 21 plays. He died in 1724 and today is still heralded as the great playwright of the Edo period. (World Encyclopedia of Puppetry Arts-Chikamatsu Monzaemon) -
Beijing Opera
What we know as Beijing Opera came to be in the 19th century and emerged as a dominant and truly theatrical form. It is a hybrid that evolved from several regional forms and came to Beijing in 1790 to celebrate the emperor's 80th birthday. It is now the most widely known chinese theatrical form. This happened because many of the regional companies remained in Beijing and amalgamated with others. (Brocket 313) -
Sankai Juku
Sankai Juku was a "second generation" Butoh company led by Ushio Amagatsu. They performed in 40 countries and 700 cities. All male performers, they were often dressed in robes and sarong-like garments. They used white rice to cover their bald heads and nearly nude bodies. They performed in slow motion and used repetitive movement patterns, selective isolations of body parts juxtaposed by sharp movements, cries, and facial expressions, displaying intense pain, surprise, ecstasy. (Brocket 312) -
The Suzuki Company
Tadashi Suzuki, the best known contemporary Japanese playwright founded the Suzuki Company of Toga. Today it is one of the major world theatre centers, a place of pilgrimage for stage professionals and amateurs. After 40 years of existence, it is still considered a unique group. (SUZUKI COMPANY OF TOGA (SCOT) - Alexandrinsky Theatre) -
21st Century
Over the past 20 years, more than 2 dozen performance halls have been built in Japan. Contemporary entertainment is more popular than traditional but Japan is determined to support and maintain its dramatic heritage. -
Yukio Ninagawa
Yukio Ninagawa is an internationally famous Japanese director that did many productions of Japanese and Western plays. He brought Yukio Mishima's modern Noh plays to Lincoln Center in 2005 and he has stage numerous Japanese versions of Shakepeare in England. (Brocket 313)