Making Faces: 18 Essential Kabuki Plays

Making Faces: 18 Essential Kabuki Plays

Featured Image: Torii Tadamasa (Japanese, 1904–1970), Shibaraku (Just a Minute!), from the series 18 Kabuki Plays, 1953, woodblock print, ink and color on paper. Transfer from Library to Museum Collection, 2023.346.14

Visually stunning, the “rough style” (aragoto) of Japanese kabuki theater includes exaggerated movements and speech, bold makeup and oversized costumes. This attention-grabbing style is encapsulated in 18 Kabuki Plays (kabuki jūhachiban), a collection of plays compiled in the nineteenth century by the actor Ichikawa Danjūrō VII (1791–1859) and closely associated with the Danjūrō family of actors. The plays convey tales of heroism and romance, jealousy and revenge, and many are repertoire standards still performed today. This exhibition explores the plays through a set of eighteen woodblock prints created by Torii Tadamasa (1904–1970), full of bold colors and exquisite details that capture the bravado of kabuki.

Links & Tags

Dayton Art Institute

Making Faces: 18 Essential Kabuki Plays is taking place at Dayton Art Institute, which is located at 456 Belmonte Park North in Dayton. Dayton Art Institute - Committed to enriching the community by creating meaningful experiences with art that are available to all. Visit us often to enjoy our diverse collections, world class exhibits and more.