An Introduction to the World of Kabuki with Retellings of Famous Plays, illustrated by Woodblock Prints

Heroes of the Kabuki Stage is written for Kabuki lovers and collectors of Kabuki woodblock prints alike, eager to know more about the interesting images on their prints. The book is a concise introduction to the world of Kabuki, placed in the historical and social context of Tokugawa and Meiji Japan between 1603 and 1912. Several aspects of Kabuki tradition, such as the playhouse itself, the interaction between actors and audiences, as well as the development of plays are explained. The elaborate costumes, make-up and different acting styles are discussed and illustrated. A brief historical outline is given of actor prints and their designers in both Edo (present-day Tokyo) and Osaka. A large section of the book is dedicated to retelling the 37 popular Kabuki plays, set against the background of their origins and supplemented by theatrical anecdotes. Main scenes of the plays and leading actor roles are amply illustrated by woodblock prints produced over a period of more than a century. An extensive index on roles, actors, playwrights, subjects and attributes will enable the reader and print collector to find his way in the spectacular world of Kabuki.

Arendie H. Herwig-Kempers was the first female orthopaedic surgeon in the Netherlands. After a career of almost 20 years in the operating theatre, she turned to Art History and obtained her Master’s degree in architecture, from Leiden University. She regularly writes articles about architecture and Japanese art.

Henk J. Herwig is a retired Associate Professor of Zoology and Cell Biology at Utrecht University in The Netherlands and since 1992 has been Editor-in-chief of Andon, the renowned Bulletin of the Society for Japanese Arts.