歌舞伎(かぶき)

ETYMOLOGY: From 傾(かぶ)く (to lean/incline) - originally meaning "strange" or "eccentric" behavior.

KEY FEATURES:

• 女形(おんながた)/女方(おやま) (male actors playing female roles)
• 隈取(くまどり) (distinctive makeup patterns)
• 見得(みえ) (dramatic pose)
• 花道(はなみち) (runway through audience)

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

• 歌舞伎(かぶき)を観(み)る (to watch kabuki)
• 歌舞伎(かぶき)役者(やくしゃ) (kabuki actor)
• 歌舞伎座(かぶきざ) (Kabuki-za theater)
• 演目(えんもく) (program, repertoire)

FAMOUS PLAYS:

• 忠臣蔵(ちゅうしんぐら) (The Treasury of Loyal Retainers)
• 勧進帳(かんじんちょう) (The Subscription List)

UNESCO: Designated as Intangible Cultural Heritage (2005).

[Register: Neutral]