To people in the Edo period, the Kabuki playhouse was a place of dreams which transported them to an extraordinary world. This section of the exhibition explores the transformation of kabuki, which was initially performed in temple or shrine precincts, acquired temporary stages and then later permanent playhouses outfitted with elaborate stage equipment. A vivid survey of the emergence of the Kabuki theater will be provided through images of Izumo no Okuni, the founder of the Kabuki as a form of performing art and of a playhouse that became a famous spot in Kyoto; paintings of the three Kabuki playhouses in Edo officially recognized by the Tokugawa shogunate; and uki-e or perspective prints showing the interior of the theater using Western fixed-point perspective.

Kabuki actors were stars, adored by the Edo-period public. Each time a new play opened, ukiyo-e of the actors in stage costume would be produced in vast numbers. Fans eagerly bought the actor prints featuring their favorite actors.
In this section, through the actor prints and through examples of actors’ favorite possessions, we present a view of the larger-than-life activities of these heroes of the stage.

Members of the audience played a major role in the Kabuki theater. The kakegoe, or words of praise shouted from the audience, are one conspicuous example of audience support for performers. Kabuki fans also contributed to their favorite actors’ name-taking ceremonies, presented the actors with new clothing, and encouraged others to attend the performances and provide support as well. That hiiki renju or groups of fans system of providing organized support for certain actors was already well established in the Edo period. Audience involvement in the theater can also be seen in Edo fashions: the actors were among the fashion leaders of their day, and clothing influenced by their crests and the design of their costumes often became wildly popular.

In this section we also address the devoted fans who provided support for Kabuki actors and for the evolution of Kabuki as a performance art, as well as the fashion and other widespread trends inspired by Edo-period actors’ crests and stage costumes.