Changes

*Japanese: 歌舞伎十八番 ''(Kabuki Juuhachiban)''

* ''Japanese'': 歌舞伎十八番 ''(Kabuki Juuhachiban)''

The Kabuki Jûhachiban, or "Eighteen Best Kabuki Plays", is a set of [[kabuki]] plays, strongly associated with the [[Ichikawa Danjuro|Ichikawa Danjûrô]] line of actors ever since their premieres, and chosen (assembled as "the eighteen") later by actor [[Ichikawa Ebizo V|Ichikawa Danjûrô VII]] (1800-1832) as the greatest representations of the ''[[aragoto]]'' style in the repertoire. The Danjûrô line has continued to dominate the leading roles, and the printing and production of these plays ever since.

The Kabuki Jûhachiban, or "Eighteen Best Kabuki Plays", is a set of [[kabuki]] plays, strongly associated with the [[Ichikawa Danjuro|Ichikawa Danjûrô]] line of actors ever since their premieres, and chosen (assembled as "the eighteen") later by actor [[Ichikawa Ebizo V|Ichikawa Danjûrô VII]] (1791-1859) as the greatest representations of the ''[[aragoto]]'' style in the repertoire. The Danjûrô line has continued to dominate the leading roles, and the printing and production of these plays ever since.

''Shibaraku'', ''Narukami'', ''Sukeroku'', ''Ya-no-Ne'', and ''Kanjinchô'' are still considered among the greatest of all kabuki plays, and are performed at least once a year. These plays are also often performed for ''[[shumei|shûmei]]'', auspicious naming ceremonies in which actors who receive new names, particularly those receiving the illustrious name "Ichikawa Danjûrô", perform in these great plays which are strongly associated with that lineage.

''Shibaraku'', ''Narukami'', ''Sukeroku'', ''Ya-no-Ne'', and ''Kanjinchô'' are still considered among the greatest of all kabuki plays, and are performed at least once a year. These plays are also often performed for ''[[shumei|shûmei]]'', auspicious naming ceremonies in which actors who receive new names, particularly those receiving the illustrious name "Ichikawa Danjûrô", perform in these great plays which are strongly associated with that lineage.

It may also be interesting to note that, while the plays contained within the ''Kabuki Jûhachiban'' do number 18, the number, along with other eight-related numbers such as 80 and 88, is symbolic of the general concept of "a great many."

It may also be interesting to note that, while the plays contained within the ''Kabuki Jûhachiban'' do number 18, the number, along with other eight-related numbers such as 80 and 88, is symbolic of the general concept of "a great many."

A ''[[Shin-Kabuki Juhachiban|Shin-Kabuki Jûhachiban]]'' (New Eighteen Best Kabuki Plays) was assembled by [[Ichikawa Danjuro IX|Ichikawa Danjûrô IX]] in the [[Meiji period]], representing his favorites, many of which are particularly representative of Meiji period kabuki.

A ''[[Shin-Kabuki Juhachiban|Shin-Kabuki Jûhachiban]]'' (New Eighteen Best Kabuki Plays) was assembled by [[Ichikawa Danjuro IX|Ichikawa Danjûrô IX]] in the [[Meiji Period]], representing his favorites, many of which are particularly representative of Meiji period kabuki.

Of the original eighteen, only ten or eleven are considered to still be actively performed, though some are performed far less frequently than others.

Of the original eighteen, only ten or eleven are considered to still be actively performed, though some are performed far less frequently than others.

==The Eighteen==

==The Eighteen==

*[http://kabuki21.com/glossaire_4.php Kabuki Glossary at Kabuki21.com]

*[http://kabuki21.com/glossaire_4.php Kabuki Glossary at Kabuki21.com]

[[Category:Poetry and Theater]]

[[Category:Poetry and Theater]]