FREE! Click here to Join FunTrivia. Thousands of games, quizzes, and lots more!
Quiz about Kabuki Theater
Quiz about Kabuki Theater

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.
  1. Home
  2. »
  3. Quizzes
  4. »
  5. Humanities Trivia
  6. »
  7. Performing Arts

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
- -
Question 1 of 10
1. Kabuki has its origins in 17th century feudal Japan. What shogunate ruled Japan when kabuki debuted? Hint


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


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


Question 4 of 10
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


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


Question 6 of 10
6. Another popular feature of kabuki is called keren. What are keren? Hint


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


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


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


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



(Optional) Create a Free FunTrivia ID to save the points you are about to earn:

arrow Select a User ID:
arrow Choose a Password:
arrow Your Email:




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.
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?

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.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.
11/21/2024, Copyright 2024 FunTrivia, Inc. - Report an Error / Contact Us