A Glimpse of Kabuki in Manila: Assembly Japan’s Nakamura Kotaro VI

When touring to Japan and desirous to study its huge cultural heritage, one expertise that usually makes it to the bucket checklist is watching a dwell kabuki efficiency. Identified for its dramatic aptitude, putting costumes, and stylized appearing, kabuki is a conventional Japanese theatrical artwork type that continues to mesmerize audiences even after centuries.

However with no instant plans of going again to Japan anytime quickly, I didn’t count on to see kabuki up shut once more. So when an invite landed in my inbox to fulfill a kabuki actor proper right here in Manila, I instantly mentioned sure.

Not solely did we get a glimpse of his efficiency, we additionally had the uncommon probability to get to know the artist behind the stage make-up.

Nakamura Kotaro VI, a famous Japanese kabuki actor, is on a private campaign to advertise the artwork of kabuki to the world, and he selected the Philippines because the launching pad for this cultural mission.

Born Yuta Nakamura on December 23, 1993, he comes from an extended and noble line of actors. He’s the sixth to hold the identify Nakamura Kotaro, a title that traces again to his great-great-grandfather, Nakamura Utaemon V, who was adopted into the kabuki household of the legendary Nakamura Shikan IV within the nineteenth century.

At simply six years previous, Nakamura made his kabuki stage debut in Tokyo, taking part in the goddess Kanon in Tsubusaka Reigenki. The next yr, he had his hatsubutai or formal stage debut, formally taking over the identify Nakamura Kotaro VI. Even at that younger age, he had already been skilled within the many disciplines required of a kabuki actor, together with voice projection, dance, stylized motion, and private make-up software.

In a press convention organized by KG Administration Inc., Nakamura spoke by means of an interpreter about his deep connection to the artwork. “That is my soul. That is what I do,” he mentioned, referring to the normal all-male kabukiperformances the place he typically takes on feminine roles.

Apparently, it was a Filipino who helped spark his need to share kabuki past Japan. As a baby, he met a younger Filipino scholar in Japan and requested why he was studying Japanese. The coed replied, “I need to give again to Japan.” That second stayed with him. He was struck by the maturity and sincerity of the reply, and it planted the seed for one thing greater.

Via an interpreter, Nakamura shared his need to introduce kabuki to a broader viewers and noticed the Philippines, the place folks have a robust love for singing and dancing, as a really perfect place to start. He believes that kabuki’s distinctive mix of music, motion, and storytelling is a strong strategy to showcase the fantastic thing about the Japanese language and tradition to Filipino audiences who naturally get pleasure from expressive artwork varieties.

Throughout the occasion, we had been additionally handled to a brief clip exhibiting Nakamura getting ready for a efficiency, doing his personal make-up with practiced precision.

In his Manila go to, he made courtesy calls to key places of work, together with the Nationwide Fee for Tradition and the Arts, Philippine Retirement Authority, and Sentro Rizal. There’s even a doable kabuki efficiency within the pipeline proper right here within the Philippines. He’s additionally wanting into organizing actor workshops to share the self-discipline and philosophy behind kabuki.

Kabuki is fascinating. I’m wanting ahead to watching a full efficiency sometime, hopefully with Nakamura Kotaro VI within the forged.