PAST SPECIAL EVENTS

ONNAGATA: THE MAKING OF A WOMAN
Tuesday, October 7, 2003, 7:00 p.m.
The Ark, 316 South Main Street, Ann Arbor, MI
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

A special performance, Onnagata: The Making of a Woman, will bring a rare, behind-the-scenes look into the world of Japanese kabuki to Ann Arbor on Tuesday, October 7 at 7 p.m. at The Ark, 316 South Main Street.

Though this traditional form of Japanese theater, founded early in the 17th century, was created by a woman, since early on all roles have been taken by men. Men who play the roles of women are referred to as onnagata female role specialists. This event will feature Tokyo’s acclaimed Grand Kabuki onnagata actor Onoe Umenosuke constructing his feminism through the use of traditional techniques. Maki Morinaga, Assistant Professor of Japanese Literature and Theater at The University of Minnesota, will present a pre-performance lecture.

Following the lecture, Umenosuke will demonstrate how he transforms himself by applying white makeup, black eyeliner, eyebrows, and rouge donning the large, black wig of an onnagata. His metamorphosis will be complete when he demonstrates dressing in the elaborate layers of a kimono. In full costume, he will demonstrate the feminized movements, speech and other techniques from the onnagata’s repertoire by performing a dance, Ayame (Iris).

First fascinated with the performance of kabuki actors in a television drama, Umenosuke joined a Kabuki troupe in 1968 after completing high school. Since then, he has been a regular performer with the Grand Kabuki, performing throughout Asia, Europe, and the United States.

For more information, contact the Center for Japanese Studies at 734.764.6307 or <umcjs@umich.edu>.

This event is organized and sponsored by the University of Michigan’s Center for Japanese Studies and the Consulate General of Japan in Detroit, with support from the Center for World Performance Studies, Institute for Research on Women and Gender, and the International Institute.
Transportation is provided by Northwest Airlines and JALPAK.