Performance of Tachiyaku (Male Role Actor) and Onnagata (Feminine Role Actor) in Kabuki Aragoto (Bravado Style)

10.7021/PAJ.200507.0091

Marumo Yuka Hieko

Kabuki ； Tachiyaku ； Onnagata ； Aragato ； Kumadori ； Sogamono ； Danjuro Ichikawa

臺灣戲專學刊

11期（2005 / 07 / 01）

91 - 96

英文

”Kabuki” (歌舞伎) is a form of traditional Japanese theater known for its stylized drama and elaborate makeup. Kabuki is made up of three essential elements denoted by the Japanese Kanji characters for Kabuki, sing (歌), dance (舞), and performance (伎). Kabuki is a highly stylized play with many similarities to Chinese opera. Like Chinese opera, there are various specialized roles in Kabuki. Role specializations in Kabuki are traditionally passed down from generation to generation in the family lines. Therefore, men from a family that specializes in the Tachiyaku role spend their entire lives perfecting their skills in that particular role. In this essay the author will discuss about the roles of the Tachiyaku (male role) and Onnagata (female role) performed in the Aragoto (bravado) style. The Aragoto style is the style of the bravado, someone who is brave, infused with power, full of childishness, and walks and talks in a special style and manner. The makeup for Aragoto employs a special style called ”Kumadori” (shading) and it is representative of the Aragoto style. The Aragoto style is deeply connected with the spirit of the Edo people and as a progressive art form, it is forever evolving and changing with time.