Kabuki Heroes on the Osaka Stage 1780–1830
30 June – 11 September 2005
Rooms 92–94
Exhibition closed
Kabuki Heroes celebrates the fanatical
devotion surrounding Japanese urban theatre between 1780 and 1830,
the intense inter-generational rivalries between actors, poets and
artists and the colourful memorabilia, from scrapbooks to
hymnbooks, that they gave birth to.
In particular, Kabuki Heroes follows
the battle of minds and bodies between Kabuki’s two greatest
performers – the ‘masterful’ Rikan and the 'start-up’ Shikan.
Bringing together evidence from Britain and Japan, this special
exhibition is a vivid reminder that the drama of pop culture runs
through the centuries and across the globe.
Supported by the AHRC, ANA, Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation,
Japan Foundation and Toshiba International Foundation.
Image: Woodblock print showing Rikan
(right) and Shikan (left) by Hokushû