Placid Pond

placid pond in the moon's reflection— kabuki dance 1-13-22 HAIKU CONTEST inspired by BASHO only Poetry Contest Sponsored by: Damned I-Be Thirteen Syllables or Less Contest 3-29-16 Sponsor Timothy Hicks *Kabuki, traditional Japanese popular drama with singing and dancing performed in a highly stylized manner. ... In modern Japanese, the word is written with three characters: ka, signifying “song”; bu, “dance”; and ki, “skill.” Kabuki plays are about historical events and moral conflict in relationships of the heart. The actors speak in a monotone voice and are accompanied by traditional instruments. The Kabuki stage is equipped with several gadgets, such as revolving stages and trapdoors through which the actors can appear and disappear. Why are Kabuki actors all male including those playing female roles? Image result…All-male casts became the norm after 1629, when women were banned from appearing in kabuki due to the prevalent prostitution. The most commonly used colors are dark red, which represents anger, passion, or cruelty, and dark blue, which represents sadness or depression. Other common colors are pink, representing youth or cheerfulness; light blue or green, representing calm; purple for nobility; brown for selfishness; and black for fear. Kabuki actors need white powder to prevent color bleeding caused by excessive oil and sweat, with an easy-to-apply, lump-free consistency. Oshiroi must also look impeccable and defined under special stage lights, and provide a stunning contrast to the colorful kumadori makeup.