It was a night of spectacular Japanese theatrical scenes -- with actors in elaborate make-up, costumes with brilliant colors, and sakura as the stage background -- and it was not in Japan.
Two Japanese kabuki classics were presented for Beijing audience on Tuesday September 4th, thanks to the visiting Chikamatsu-za troupe, led by the 76-year-old kabuki master Sakata Tojuro.
The actor, known for playing different roles in one drama, vividly demonstrated the 400-year-old Japanese art form, changing between portraits of an elegant woman and a powerful lion in "Hanabusa Shujaku Jishi (Princess Lion Dance)," and a virtuous wife in "Keisei Hangon Ko (Matahei the Stutterer)," a 1708 kabuki classic.
His age-beguiling performances won great wows from Beijing audience.
The troupe is set to play another night on Wednesday at Beijing's Poly Theater, before moving to Hangzhou, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.
