The Monkey and the Quiver - Kabuki-za theater

Kabuki-za theater, Ginza district, Tokyo

Today we saw a Japanese Kabuki play first performed in 1838.  It involves a monkey, a monkey trainer, a lady, and the lady's footman. An arrow and quiver also play a prominent role in this one act play, because the lady wishes to have the monkey's skin for a quiver cover.  But all ends well because the monkey is too cute to kill, and the lady falls in love with not only her footman but the monkey trainer too. The whole plot is here, along with some nice illustrations.

Kabuki plays can last three hours, so we did what our guidebook suggested, and just saw one act. If you see a single act, you sit in the very top rows of theater. But the view is still excellent, and the cost, at Y800 ($8) is very reasonable. We also rented audio headphones so we could follow the story in English. And while I thought we'd be surrounded by tourists, the opposite was the case.  Kabuki theater is very popular with the locals, even if you have to stand in the very back.  (Yes, our performance was standing room only at the back of the theater and we felt lucky to get a seat.)

One of several murals in front of the Kabuki-za theater

Kabuki actors are always male. It is a profession that is passed down from father to son.  And in fact, in the play we saw today, a father and son were acting together on the stage. Of course, all the female roles are played by men, and some of the Kabuki players specialize in female parts.  The stage is bright, but stark. The entire focus in on the actors, who are as colorful as peacocks. During the performance, the audience would shout out the family names of the actors.  It was all very entertaining.