For the past 25 years the JACCC has presented Japanese Culture through performances and other events to enthusiastic crowds in Losd Angeles, like Kabuki Theater. I had the pleasure of seeing one of its production over the summer, the Shochiko Grand Kabuki of Japan Chikamatsu-za, which featured “living national treasure” Nakamura Ganjiro III starring in Sonezaki Shinju (The Love Suicides at Sonezaki). Traditional Kabuki Theater is a unique experience. Viewers can expect fiery performances, big emotions, and an all-male cast regardless of the genders of the story’s characters — all in Japanese. I was impressed — so was the rest of the audience that participated in a ten-minute standing ovation at the end of the performance. However, Kabuki can be an aquired taste in much the same way opera is not for everyone. My wife took several Advil after a particularly intense scene of a featured character’s howling anguish. I bought her flowers to make it up to her. For me, Kabuki remains a wonderful opportunity to see the world through a traditional Japanese lens.
Written by Devin Galaudet
Check out http://www.jaccc.org/ for more Japanese cultural events in Southern California.
For more on Japan at ITKT
