Exploring JAPAN


	Map of Japan Hokkaido area Tohoku area Hokuriku area Kanto area Chubu area Kansai area Shikoku area Chugoku arrea Kyushu area Okinawa area

PERFORMING ART

KABUKI
The origins of Kabuki lie in the 17th century. It's a very Japanese form of theater, with spectacular costumes, highly stylised actions, and fantastic stage effects. Kabuki is worth seeing at least once for the viuals alone.



BUNRAKU
Bunraku developed in the Edo Peiod. It is Japan's professional puppet theatre, controlled by three puppeteers dressed in black robes and usually hooded. A narrator tells the story and povides the voices for individual characters, while musical accompaniment is provided by the three-stringed shamisen.