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Differences between Noh and
Kabuki Costuming Noh characters are usually
portrayed in the first half as a false sense of self.
When the second half starts, the character usually shows their true self. The change in Noh characters occurs offstage, while
in Kabuki theatre, the change occurs on stage. (Brandon,
Malm, & Shively, 1978, 109.) These
costumes (Noh) also differ from those worn in Kabuki in that they are not identified
exclusively with individual roles or plays , but can be under varying circumstances
(Phoenix Art Museum, 2004.) The Noh masks and the Kabuki
wigs serve the same basic purpose in the two theatres.
They both establish the age, sex, social class, and status. They also help to show mood and emotional change. While a tilting of the head in Noh shows emotions,
the position and tilt of the wig in Kabuki show similar emotion changes. The most amazing part of Noh
costuming is the elaborate nature of the costumes and the simplicity of the mask. While in Kabuki both the costuming and the makeup
are extremely elaborate. The simplicity of the Noh mask strongly counters the fancy
makeup. While the simplicity of the Noh mask
helps to make the emotions more powerful, the fancy makeup makes the emotions in Kabuki
more pronounced and obvious. Japanese Society has continued to grow and advance with the times. Unfortunately, with the consistency mandated in the Noh and Kabuki theatre, the arts have not advanced as quickly. The costuming in Noh and Kabuki have not changed for centuries and in maintaining that tradition, Japan has maintained its strong cultural foundation. The constant contradiction of simplicity in the tradition and consistency of the costumes with the complexity of the art form and the costumes themself lend the to beauty of Noh and Kabuki. |