National Curriculum

Suggestions for integration with "The Kabuki Story"

The following list of eight subjects suggests ways in which elements the "Kabuki Story" can be used for further exploration within the terms of the National Curriculum.

Music / Geza, Nagauta ensemble (Debayashi)

Each ensemble fulfils a distinct and separate function within a kabuki production. The geza in simple terms serves the purpose of a "sound effect" booth, whilst the nagauta ensemble provides a range of styles of narrative music used for dance, or mood setting. Both ensembles are supported by a compositional system, which can be adapted to Western usage.

English / Romeo and Juliet

Using Shakespeare as a basis for this project enables a twofold benefit. It provokes a greater understanding of the original whilst exploring the nature of a completely different form of stage presentation. The Ninagawa Company has already set precedent for treatment of Shakespeare in this way. It enables the comparison and contrasting of the treatment of similar dramatic material and techniques (cf. the double suicide of "Sonezaki Shinju" and Romeo and Juliet Act 5 scene 3/ Tachimawari and Tybalt's Death)

Art / Ukiyo-e

There is a substantial tradition of woodblock printing that originated in Japan during the Edo period. The large numbers of prints that were produced help in documenting the development of Kabuki.

History / The social context of kabuki during the years of Japan's isolation during the Edo period

During this period, 1603-1868, the ruling Tokugawa shogunate perceived the increase in popularity amongst the townsfolk of kabuki as being very much to be a threat to the status quo. Kabuki's history is very much that of continual government repression and restrictions.

Geography / Japan since the years of national isolation

For 250 years Japan was isolated from foreign influences. Since 1868 onwards the country has become a considerable industrial and economic force which has led to a complete restructuring. How has this affected their environment? What implications does this have in a global context. A "follow on" exploration to be linked with the "History" project above.

Design Technology / Develop a notation system for compiling the music

The music of Japan has traditionally been learned by rote. It was not until the 19th century that an attempt at systematic notation to facilitate both the archiving of material and easier study was developed. However, the result was a disparate range of music notational systems each unique to their respective instrument

Costume

Compare the traditional garment with its stage equivalent. Explore the construction techniques and subtlety of meaning behind specific items.

Dance / The essential dance styles (shosagoto) incorporated within Kabuki

The inclusion of dance is essential to the kabuki experience. Within the physical education component of the National Curriculum it states that pupils must be able to describe, analyze and interpret dances, recognizing aspects of production and cultural/historical contexts, including those from countries other than the British Isles

IT / Web site resource development

It is anticipated that this project should form the backbone of a larger Japanese cultural education resource, therefore development partnerships with participating schools will be encouraged.