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Kabuki Theater Trivia Quiz

Kabuki is traditional dance drama art native to Japan. Kabuki has existed in one form or another for over 400 years. Modern kabuki is well known for its outlandish costumes and technical stage tricks.

A multiple-choice quiz by foxbarking. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
foxbarking

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
366,016

Updated
May 22 23

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
344

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Kabuki has its origins in 17th century feudal Japan. What shogunate ruled Japan when kabuki debuted? Hint

Tokugawa Shogunate

Ashikaga Shogunate

Kamakura Shogunate

Kabuki was created during the Meiji Restoration rather than during a shogunate

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Question 2 of 10

2. Though considered a traditional form of Japanese art, modern Kabuki has one major distinguishing feature which is in direct contrast the first Kabuki performances. What is this feature? Hint

Original kabuki had very simple costumes and now the costumes are extremely elaborate

Original kabuki had no singing and was simply dancing

Original performers were all women and now kabuki is only performed by men.

Original kabuki could only legally be performed in Edo and now can be performed anywhere

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Question 3 of 10

3. Due to its suggestive nature, Kabuki with all female casts was immediately popular. What was often an additional feature offered to audiences in early Kabuki? Hint

Performers doubled as waitresses for audiences

Women performers were available as prostitutes

Performers would strip naked if paid enough

Male audience members were allowed to interact with kabuki performers

4. In 1629, onna-kabuki, which was performed by all female casts, was banned due to eroticism and prostitution. For a short period of time, wakusha-kabuki took its place. What was the difference between onna-kabuki and wakusha-kabuki? Hint

Onna-kabuki was a female cast that allowed prostitution, while wakusha-kabuki was an all female cast that outlawed prostitution

Wakusha-kabuki forbade ribald performances

Wakusha-kabuki was a mix of a male and female cast

Onna-kabuki was all female cast, while wakusha-kabuki was cast with all young boys

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Question 5 of 10

5. With the banning of onna-Kabuki in 1629, wakashu-kabuki, which was performed by younger boys, became available but was quickly banned. Why was wakashu-kabuki banned? Hint

Younger boys were rarely available for wakusha-kabuki performances due to having to work on farms and as merchants

The Shogunate looked down upon any sort of stage performance after the banning of onna-kabuki

Fans preferred kabuki with female actors

Like onna-kabuki, the performers in wakashu-kabuki were available for prostitution

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Question 6 of 10

6. Another popular feature of kabuki is called keren. What are keren? Hint

Provided meals to be eaten while watching the performance

Plot devices that allow actors to incorporate audience members in the play.

A fruity sake that is served at the beginning of the second act.

Stagecraft tricks, such as trapdoors and costume changes

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Question 7 of 10

7. One of the most popular keren in kabuki is the stagecraft trick known as hayagawari. What is this trick? Hint

Using strings to have an actor fly over the audience

A quick costume change while onstage

A number of special effects using water

The use of trapdoors to transport characters across the stage

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Question 8 of 10

8. Another very popular keren is known as yatai kuzushi. As a rule, yatai kuzushi can generally only be used once during a kabuki performance. Why is this? Hint

It is the rapid destruction of part of the set

It is an elaborate curtain call

It is the death of the main character

Shinto laws only allow yatai kuzushi to be performed once a day

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Question 9 of 10

9. A kabuki set has a feature known as a hanamichi, which means "flower path." This is a projection of the stage into the audience. What is the purpose of a hanamichi? Hint

Waiters and waitresses walk along the hanamichi to provide food and sake to the audience.

It is the entrance way used by the audience to find their seats.

It is lined with flowers to affect the beauty of the set.

It is a walkway through which dramatic entrances and exits are performed.

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Question 10 of 10

10. Finally, if you want to see a kabuki play, where would you have to be in order to attend one? Hint

Japan, as true kabuki is only performed in the country.

Asia, because although kabuki companies tour, they do not tour outside of Asia.

Honshu, as it is the only Japanese island kabuki is legally performed on.

Anywhere, as kabuki theater groups tour the world.

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Kabuki has its origins in 17th century feudal Japan. What shogunate ruled Japan when kabuki debuted?

Answer: Tokugawa Shogunate

The Tokugawa Shogunate was the last shogunate in Japan's feudal period, lasting from 1600 until 1868. The Shogunate ended when Tokugawa Yoshinobu, the last Shogun, resigned his position with no successor. Shoguns were technically military leaders and held all political power while the Emperor was ceremonial. With the resignation tendered to the Meiji Emperor, the Emperor was recognized as the head of government, although technically he was still just a figurehead.

2. Though considered a traditional form of Japanese art, modern Kabuki has one major distinguishing feature which is in direct contrast the first Kabuki performances. What is this feature?

Answer: Original performers were all women and now kabuki is only performed by men.

From 1603 to 1629, both male and female roles in Kabuki were only performed by women. One of the early appeals of Kabuki was the often ribald performances by the cast. In 1629 it was made illegal in Japan for women to perform in Kabuki plays. Currently all male and female roles are performed by men, except in a few extraordinary cases.

3. Due to its suggestive nature, Kabuki with all female casts was immediately popular. What was often an additional feature offered to audiences in early Kabuki?

Answer: Women performers were available as prostitutes

The suggestive and ribald performances were popular and the parts were played by prostitutes. The fact that the performers doubled as prostitutes was the major reason that women were legally barred from performing in kabuki theater. Rather than outlaw the prostitution practices themselves, the shogunate barred women from being actors.

Answer: Onna-kabuki was all female cast, while wakusha-kabuki was cast with all young boys

Kabuki quickly accepted the banning of women from its performances and began to cast younger boys in all of the male and female roles. This may be because kabuki was originally performed by females, and younger males in Japan at the time looked somewhat similar to female actors.

5. With the banning of onna-Kabuki in 1629, wakashu-kabuki, which was performed by younger boys, became available but was quickly banned. Why was wakashu-kabuki banned?

Answer: Like onna-kabuki, the performers in wakashu-kabuki were available for prostitution

Wakashu-kabuki did not last very long, as it only exacerbated the prostitution problem that existed with onna-kabuki. Eventually the government only allowed grown men to star in kabuki in an attempt to finally end the connection between kabuki and prostitution.

6. Another popular feature of kabuki is called keren. What are keren?

Answer: Stagecraft tricks, such as trapdoors and costume changes

Keren means "outside party," though some erroneously translate it to mean "playing to the audience." Some keren are simple tricks, such as using wires to make an actor fly across the stage. Other keren are extremely complex or destructive tricks that can only be performed once in the play.

7. One of the most popular keren in kabuki is the stagecraft trick known as hayagawari. What is this trick?

Answer: A quick costume change while onstage

All of the tricks in the answer options are used in kabuki theater. Collectively, they are called keren, which means "stagecraft tricks." Hayagawari are extremely fast costume changes, some performed in a split second. There are informal competitions between actors to see who can perform the fastest but most accurate changes.

8. Another very popular keren is known as yatai kuzushi. As a rule, yatai kuzushi can generally only be used once during a kabuki performance. Why is this?

Answer: It is the rapid destruction of part of the set

Set destruction is one of the more popular kerens in kabuki. The literal translation of yatai kuzushi is "pulling down a festival float." Yatai kuzushi can be used to change the setting of the play, or simply as a measure to demonstrate any sort of destruction in the plot of the play.

9. A kabuki set has a feature known as a hanamichi, which means "flower path." This is a projection of the stage into the audience. What is the purpose of a hanamichi?

Answer: It is a walkway through which dramatic entrances and exits are performed.

While the hanamachi is mostly used as a walkway for dramatic entrances and exits, it can also be used as a regular part of the set. Sometimes full scenes will incorporate the hanamichi, such as a walkway for a bride to walk down with her entourage for a wedding.

10. Finally, if you want to see a kabuki play, where would you have to be in order to attend one?

Answer: Anywhere, as kabuki theater groups tour the world.

Kabuki companies tour all over the world, in many major and minor countries and cities. It is truly a spectacular art form. Kabuki is only performed in Japanese. However, as is also the case with opera, a viewer does not have to speak the language to enjoy this beautiful and lavish art form.

Source: Author foxbarking

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor looney_tunes before going online.
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