Historical and Cultural

Backgrounds and
Instruments of Kabuki,
Peking Opera and Wayang
Kulit
Group 1: Marcus Garvida, Patricia Bautista, Lesly
De Guzman;
Alejandro Samala, Jillian Tarroza, Anieng Delos
Reyes,
Sung-Bin Park, Robert Maala

Kabuki: Historical And

Cultural Background
and Instruments
Historical and Cultural Background

Historical and Cultural

Background

Historical/Cultural Background:

The history of kabuki began in 1603 when Izumo

no Okuni, possibly a miko of Izumo-taisha, began
performing a new style of dance drama in the dry
riverbeds of Kyoto. It originated in the 17th
century. Japan was under the control of the
Tokugawa shogunate, enforced by Tokugawa
Ieyasu. The name of the Edo period derives from
the relocation of the Tokugawa regime from its
former home in Kyoto to the city of Edo, presentday Tokyo.

KABUKI

Historical and Cultural

Background

Historical/Cultural Background:

Female performers played both men and

women in comic playlets about ordinary
life. The style was immediately popular,
and Okuni was asked to perform before the
Imperial Court. In the wake of such success,
rival troupes quickly formed, and kabuki
was born as ensemble dance and drama
performed by women, a form very different
from its modern incarnation.
Much of its appeal in this era was due to
the ribald, suggestive themes featured by
many troupes; this appeal was further
augmented by the fact that the performers
were often also available for prostitution.
For this reason, kabuki was also called "
" (prostitute-singing and dancing
performer) during this period.

KABUKI

Kabuki: Historical And

Cultural Background
and Instruments
Instuments Used

Instruments

Shamisen Three
stringed instrument
similar to banjo but
without the frets. The
body of the instrument
( Doe ), is usually made
of stretched cat or dog
skin. Newer versions of
this are made with
plastic instead. This is
the central instrument
in Kabuki.

Instruments

Ko-Tsuzumi The Primary

drum of the hayashi, the
small hand drum. Its
hourglass body is necessary
for the pitch changes that it
creates during the
performance by the use of
the strings on the sides.
The drums are made of
horsehide. There are 4
types of tones this could
make. Pon and Pu, which
are made in the center, Chi
and Ta which are made on
the edge.

Instruments

Takebue Takebue is
used for the melodies
that the shamisen play.

Nokan Nokan is used

for the accompaniment
of the taiko drums
during their rythmic
processions.

These are both seven

holed flutes.

Peking Opera:
Historical And
Cultural Background
and Instruments
Historical and Cultural Background

Historical and Cultural

Background

Historical/Cultural Background:

Also called the Eastern Opera. It

has a 200 year history in which its
fountainhead can be dated back to
old local operas especially, Anhui.
Opera, which was very popular in
northern China in the 18th century.
In 1790, the first Anhui Opera
performance was held in Beijing to
celebrate the emperors birthday.
Later, some other Anhui Opera
was easy to move and good at
absorbing the acting styles of
other types of operas.

Historical and Cultural

Background

Historical/Cultural Background:

At the end of the 19th century and

the beginning of the 20th century,
after merging for 10 years, Peking
Opera finally formed, it became
the biggest of all operas in China.
Peking Opera is a comprehensive
acting art. It blends singing,
reading, acting, fighting and
dancing together. The noble class
as well as the lower classes loved
the Opera very much so that it
was played in the palace and folk
places.

Peking Opera:
Historical And
Cultural Background
and Instruments
Instuments Used

Instruments

Jinghu a small, high-pitched, two-string spike

fiddle. The jinghu is the primary accompaniment
for performers during songs.

Jinghu is further divided into two main musical

styles; Xipi and Erhuang.

Instruments

Xipi The melodies in this style are very

disjointed, possibly reflecting the styles
derivation from the high and loud melodies of
the Qinqiang opera of Northwestern China.

Erhuang The melodies in this style are low,

soft and despondent folk tunes of south-central
Hubei province, the styles place of origin.

Wayang Kulit:
Historical And
Cultural Background
and Instruments
Historical and Cultural Background

Historical and Cultural

Background

Historical/Cultural
Background:

Wayang is an Indonesian word

for theatre (literally
shadow). There is no
evidence that wayang existed
before Hinduism came to
Southeast Asia sometime in
the first century CE brought
by Indian traders. The first
record of a performance was
dated 930 CE.

Historical and Cultural

Background

Wayang Kulit plays are invariably based on

romantic tales, especially adaptations of the
classic Indian epics, "The Mahabarata" and
"The Ramayana". Some of the plays are also
based on local happenings (current issues) or
other local secular stories. It is up to the
conductor or "Tok Dalang" to decide his
direction.

The Dalang is the genius behind the entire

performance. It is he who sits behind the
screen and narrates the story. With a
traditional orchestra in the background to
provide a resonant melody and its
conventional rhythm, the Dalang modulates
his voice to create suspense thus heightening
the drama. Invariably, the play climaxes with
the triumph of good over evil.

Historical and Cultural

Background

The figures are painted, flat woodcarvings (a

maximum of 5 to 15 mm thick) and movable
arms. Wayang today, is both the most ancient
and the most popular form of puppet theater in
the world.

Wayang Kulit:
Historical And
Cultural Background
and Instruments
Instuments Used

Instruments

Gamelan is an orchestra consisting of bowed

stringed instruments, flutes and a variety of
percussion instruments. The musicians are the Niyogo.
It is the traditional ensemble music of Java and Bali.
The most common instruments used are
metalllophones played with mallets and a set of handplayed drums called kendhang, which keep the beat.

Many styles of Gamelan instruments and music exist

in Indonesia. Each area takes its own approach to
accompaniment evolving from similar roots.

GAMELAN

Thank You for

Listening

._.