Stage Idols, Japanese Kabuki Theater

Dramatic world of kabuki theater featured in Peabody Essex Museum exhibition, rare woodblock prints on view for the first time.

(Salem, Mass.) Curated by Midori Oka, Peabody Essex Museum associate curator of Japanese art and culture, Stage Idols, Japanese Kabuki Theater opens Feb. 2, 2008, and runs through Jan. 25, 2009. Stage Idols presents a stunning selection of woodblock prints from PEM's collection, many on view for the first time. The exhibition features a rotating selection of over forty 19th-century prints - including works by famed print designer Utagawa Kunisada (1786 - 1864) - as well as rare kabuki-related objects, such as costumes, photographs and advertising signs.

"The exhibition reveals the depths of Japan's fascination with kabuki in the 18th and 19th centuries," says Oka. "Printmakers created works that captured the magnetism of the stage, enabling eager fans to take home mementos of their favorite plays and actors."

Kabuki is one of Japan's most important forms of theater. Three Japanese characters compose the word: "ka" meaning songs, "bu" meaning dance and "ki" meaning skill. Initially performed by women, this populist form of drama soon became the sole realm of men when concerns over the performances' sensual associations led to a governmental ban on female dancers. With its dramatic storylines, lush costumes and celebrity actors, kabuki was the ideal subject for Japanese print artists.

"Stage Idols is organized into three thematic sections - The Actors, The Plays and The Theater. The Actors explores the status attained by performers not only as actors, but also as celebrity icons and interpreters of theatrical tradition. A portrait by Utagawa Kunisada depicts the actor Ichikawa Danjuro VIII (1823 - 1854) in the title role of Sukeroku from the play of the same name. The actor's name and role are stated in a large vertical band on the upper left side of his face. Kunisada's attention to detail can be seen in the exquisite presentation of facial details, hairlines and intricate kimono patterns. Danjuro VIII was a member of the Danjuro lineage of actors, established in the 17th century and continuing to this day.

The Plays presents compelling scenes from kabuki theater, including a film excerpt from a contemporary play. Many of the prints in this section are remarkably preserved in their original album form. A work by Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797 - 1861) features a dramatic moment from the play Matsutaka Temari Fuijitsuroku. In this print, two ghosts loom eerily above the play's human protagonists, trembling in fear and defiance. The male ghost's disheveled hair indicates his engagement in a conflict, causing his topknot to come undone. Skillfully printed in silhouette in the background is the Japanese character kokoro, or "heart". According to Japanese folklore, crimes of passion or the heart result in an unsatisfactory death, preventing the soul from transitioning into the next world.

In The Theater, period photographs, promotional plaques and sign-boards evoke the ambience of the kabuki environment. Hand-colored glass lantern slides capture the life of the bustling theater districts, providing a glimpse of Japan as it existed over one hundred years ago

Stage Idols, Japanese Kabuki Theater is funded in part by a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

Related Programs
Tamagawa University Dance and Taiko Performance
Saturday, March 29, 2008, 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Nearly 30 dancers and taiko performers take the stage at PEM to perform a wide repertoire featuring traditional Japanese dance and taiko performances from several regions and cities of Japan. Several styles will be performed, including zashiki-mai, traditionally performed by geishas at a banquet, as well as a dance typically seen in kabuki theatre.

About the Peabody Essex Museum
The Peabody Essex Museum presents art and culture from New England and around the world. The museum's collections are among the finest of their kind, showcasing an unrivaled spectrum of American art and architecture (including four National Historic Landmark buildings) and outstanding Asian, Asian Export, Native American, African, Oceanic, Maritime, and Photography collections. In addition to its vast collections, the museum offers a vibrant schedule of changing exhibitions and public programs, plus a hands-on education center. In 2006, PEM was named one of the nation's "Top 10 Art Museums for Kids" by Child magazine. The museum campus features numerous parks, period gardens and 24 historic properties, including Yin Yu Tang, a 200-year- old house that is the only example of Chinese domestic architecture in the United States.

The Peabody Essex Museum is open daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The museum is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. General museum admission: Adults $15; seniors $13; students $11. Additional admission to Yin Yu Tang: $4. Members, youth 16 and under, and residents of Salem, MA enjoy free general admission and free admission to Yin Yu Tang. Special exhibitions may require an additional fee. Location: East India Square, Salem, MA 01970. Call 866-745-1876 or visit our Web site at www.pem.org.