Japanese Kabuki theatre has become modernized in some ways, such as the shortened length of performances for today’s on-the-go audience, but the makeup tradition has mostly remained the same. There are several similarities and differences in color and its meaning, placement of lines on the face, and types of characters that the makeup signifies. In most cases, both forms of theatre have forgone masks in lieu of thick facial makeup. Japanese Kabuki theatre and Chinese Beijing Opera are traditional theatre forms that place faith in the power of facial expression to portray dramatic characters and theatrical stories. STAGE MAKEUP IN THE BEIJING OPERA OF CHINA AND THE KABUKI THEATRE OF JAPAN

It highlights all that is bad in human nature: cunning,Ĭraftiness, and treachery.Kumadori makeup https///clients/sbklein/images/EDOTHEATE R/kabuki/pages/kabukipaint.html Sinisterness, treacherousness, suspiciousness and craftiness.Ĭommonly seen on the stage is the white face for the powerful Proud and impetuous and quarreled with the chief minister to whomĬhinese Opera Mask, Tu Xingsun Yellow Color Yellow signifiesįierceness, ambition and cool-headedness.Ĭhinese Opera Mask, Xia Houdun Blue Color Blue representsĬhinese Opera Mask, Cao Cao White Color White suggests Reconciled with the Chief Minister), in which General Lian was Instance, Lian Po in the well-known play Lian Po He (The General Purple face likewise shows a just and noble character, for Uprightness, sophistication and cool-headedness). Guan Yu, general of the period of the Three Kingdoms (220-280),įamed for his faithfulness to his Emperor, Liu Bei.Ĭhinese Opera Mask, Lian Po Purple Color Purple stands for Return to Chinese OperaĬhinese Opera Mask, Guan Yu Red Color Red indicates devotion,Ĭourage bravery, uprightness and loyalty. Three Kingdoms) and Li Kui (of Water Margin), and of the latter isīao Gong (alias Bao Zheng), the semi-legendary fearless and Typical of the former are General Zhang Fei (of the Romance of the The black face indicates either a roughĪnd bold character or an impartial and selfless personality. Patterns that we see in today's Jingju (Beijing Opera).Ĭhinese Opera Mask, Zhang Fei Black Color Black symbolizes

Preparing the paints, leading to the whole set of colorful facial (1368-1644), improvements were made in the skills of drawing and in Simple patterns of painted facesĪre found in tomb murals of that age. Makeups date a long time back to the Song (960-1279) and Yuan Makeup symbolizes the disposition of the character. The meanings behind Chinese Opera MaskThe main color in a facial

Chinese opera makeup meaning