ARTICLE

Kabuki

Reprinted from the Oct. 1964 issue of National Geo- graphic Magazine, pps 483-485...in part:

"I remember another entertainer in Tokyo, a great beauty named Tomoemon. Tomoemon is a star in the world-famous Kabuki-za Theater, and a symbol of feminine charm to thousands of Japanese admirers. It matters not at all that Tomoemon is a grown man and the father of two young sons. Men have been playing the roles of kabuki heroines for more than three centuries. A real woman on the kabuki stage would be altogether unthinkable.

"The tradition grew up in the Tokugawa dynasty, centuries ago", Tomoemon told me in his dressing room as he changed for a scene. He sat gracefully on the tatami matting before a low mirror, retouch- ing the chalk-white pancake makeup that beautifies kabuki heroines and geisha. An attendant arranged the magnificently embroidered courtesan's robe that must have contained 20 yards of material.

"In early kabuki, women played the female roles,' Tomoemon continued. "But gradually the conduct of the actresses became improper. The shogun, or dic- tator, finally forbade women to take part in the performances. Kabuki was reorganized into serious drama, with men taking all the roles."

I had heard that the profession of onnagata-- the actor who impersonates females--is a very proud Tomoemon told me that he was the seventh gene- ration in his family to bear the stage name Tomoemon.

one.

"Onnagata is a way of being as well as an art,"

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