Embracing change: The Kabuki boom

The western influence came to Japan in 1868 at the same time it offered kabuki and the rest of the populace freedom from government restrictions. Another challenge was upon the industry, how to cope up with the changing world.

Actor Ichikawa Danjuro IX struggled to lift up the reputation of Kabuki, which since its inception had been perceived as cheap by the upper classes. Some actors on the other hand like Onoe Kikugoro V worked to adapt old styles to new tastes. The defining moment of the period, and a symbol of the success of their efforts, was a command performance before Emperor Meiji.

Kabuki survived the suppression during the Edo period and lost many young actors in the World War II and further censorship by foreign forces occupants after the war it still has yet to face the most difficult obstacle in the modern era. Television and other forms of entertainment are slowly overpowering the traditional forms of theatre.

With the word traditional, modern day audiences think it is synonymous to the words boring and peculiar. Recently there has been a “Kabuki boom” which focused on young people. Despite the challenges kabuki is still accepted by a wide range of people who appreciate the art very much like in the olden times.