Per gli appassionati dei Fumetti o Comics della Marvel ecco un’interessante collezione di 247 Immagini di copertine, personaggi e azioni. Un ottimo spunto per la realizzazione di un Blog o Siti Web, ma anche come Background o WallPaper degli stessi o del desktop.

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The My Precious BUTTERFLY show will start @ 4pm slt on Saturday the 28th of November.

To minimise lag, please remove all huds and non essentail scripted items, thank you.

Please settle into your personal lotus flowers on the pond and enjoy the show with compliments,

.::KABUKI::. collective.

Too Faced’s holiday ‘09 collection is fit for a queen, with packaging to reflect that. Marie Antoinette (and cake!) is on most of the sets, which are packed with essentials and luxurious items alike. The collection is comprised of kits and sets, which pack a lot of products into small packages.

Unwrap the Queen for a Day kit ($45, above) and you’ll unearth an exclusive eyeshadow quad featuring 2 neutrals and 2 metallics, Shadow Insurance (eyelid primer), Snow Bunny Bronzer (duotone bronzing powder), mini Lash Injection Pinpoint mascara, Lip of Luxury lipstick in Free Love, and a kabuki brush. All tucked in a makeup bag bearing a silhouette of Marie Antoinette holding a giant tiered cake. Cute!

The French & Fabulous palette ($28.50) bears 6 eyeshadows, Sun Bunny Bronzer, and Pink Leopard Highlighting Bronzer, a rosy, bronzy, shimmery powder that brightens up skin. Eyeshadows included are: Totally Toasted Brown, Totally Toasted Beige, Poodle Puff Pink, Poodle Puff Raisin, Ooh & Ahh, and Mess in a Dress. Emblazoned on the front of the palette is a rendering of a pink-bouffanted Marie Antoinette overlooking the Paris cityscape. Oh so French and campy.

Glamour To Go II ($19.50) is a palette that houses pretty much anything you could possibly want for on-the-go touch-ups. 8 shadows, ranging from bone to charcoal; blush; and 4 glosses are all packed in this pocket-size pal. Coordinating shades make it easy to perfect your look on the fly.

Encouraged by my host Suzuki Makoto sensei at Tokyo University of Agriculture, I recently visited the Edo Gardening Flowers exhibit being held at the Ukiyo-e Ota Memorial Museum of Art until November 26,2009. The exhibit has spectacular colorful wood block prints showing flowers and plants in a variety of urban settings including kimonos, at festivals, commercials nurseries, educational materials, Kabuki actors, and Noh dramas.

The exhibit theme is that the Edo period experienced a “gardening culture” in which a passion for gardens and flowers permeated all social classes, including court nobles, shoguns, feudal lords and the common people. According to the catalogue, “the Japanese people’s passion to flowers surprised the American botanist Robert Fortune as seen in his diary upon his visit to Japan in the late Edo period.”

An interesting comparison is also made between between the widespread practice of Edo gardening and also the interest of common people in wood block prints. It is wonderful to see the use of flowers and plants in both high culture realms and in depictions of everyday life during the Edo period.

Two of my favorite prints are collections of plants used by children to learn the names of flowers. The one below, from the back cover of the exhibit catalog, has the names in hiragana. The exhibit also includes Edo era ceramic plant pots.

Some more images after the jump, and also a list of plants seen in the wood block prints.

Plants and flowers I noted from the November exhibit included “Adonis flower” (fukujuso), potted plum tree, narcissus, Chinese lantern, cherry blossoms, pine bonsai, morning glory, chrysanthemum, clematis, hydrangea, iris, peony, azalea, and rose.

OH MY!!! Did you miss Kabuki’s Premier Runway Show featuring Donna Flora in “DIAMONDS”?
Never fear… You can watch the amazing video below. =)

WATCH: KABUKI Presents “Donna Flora: DIAMONDS”


VIDEOGRAPHER: FLASH Productions – Ethan Haalan & Lola Baudin
KABUKI
—————————— ————————

Brought to you by: blackliquid tokyoska and squinternet larnia

Como buen fan de películas de terror, he visto todas o casi todas las pelis japonesas que han salido, aunque últimamente ya no hay muchas. Desde The Ring, Shutter, Una llamada perdida, Nunca estamos sólos, hasta Marebito (muy rara…). En todas éstas, sale el fantasma que es muy parecido en todas, y yo digo: “otra vez? el mismo fantasma? acaso todos los fantasmas alla son iguales?”. Pues me puse a buscar y encontré una articulo muy bueno. Aquí hay parte de éste pero les recomiendo que se metan al link:

El fantasma clásico japonés se llama yurei, que significa algo así como “alma apenas visible”. El yurei aparece en la tierra cuando el alma (reikon) no recibe el apropiado rito funerario, la muerte no ha sido natural (ha habido un asesinato o un suicidio), o si el reikon está muy influenciado por algún sentimiento (generalmente odio o venganza).

Recordemos, por ejemplo, como Sadako (Ringu) era arrojada a un pozo, o Kayako era asesinada por su marido. Normalmente el yurei vaga por nuestro plano, permaneciendo atado a un lugar (el pozo de Sadako, la casa maldita de Kayako) o una persona (aquella de quien espera el amor o la venganza).

Aunque en las películas, a veces espíritus muy poderosos encuentran la forma de extender su venganza más allá de su zona de actuación mediante cintas, teléfonos… pero finalmente hay que enfrentarse a ellos en su morada.

Esto tiene bastante lógica, ya que los fantasmas, en cualquier cultura, están aquí por que dejaron algo pendiente, y la única manera de que se vayan, es ayudarlos en realizar esa “tarea pendiente” o realizarles un ritual apropiado para que su alma descanse. Ahora, sobre su aspecto:

Inicialmente un fantasma japonés no se diferenciaba de cualquier otro humano. Pero la costumbre comienza a cambiar a finales del siglo 17, cuando un juego llamadoHyakumonogatari Kaidankai se hace popular entre la clase alta japonesa. Consistía en encender 100 velas, e ir caminando alrededor de ellas contando uno de los jugadores un kaidan (historia de fantasmas).

Cada vez que se finalizaba una de las historias se apagaba una vela, quedando cada vez más a oscuras, e invocando así alguna presencia del otro mundo. Así la fama de las historias de yurei crecieron rápidamente, trasladándose a artes como la pintura (la primera representación gráfica de un yurei se considera que es el Fantasma de Oyuki, pintado por Maruyama Okyo en el siglo XVIII) o el teatro japonés, el kabuki.

Muy interesante, no?

Enlace: CineFantastico.com

Delhi Doll museum is one of the most famous attractions in Delhi. They have the rarest collections of dolls from all parts of the world. The museum is popularly known as Shankar’s International Dolls Museum. It is founded by renowned political cartoonist K Shankar pillai. The museum boasts the largest collection of costume dolls in the world. The variety of costume dolls found here includes dolls with Indian classical dance, Kathakali and other similar costumes. There are Japanese festival dolls, replica of Queen’s collection (UK), Hungarian, Kabuki and Samurai dolls from Japan, Spanish Flamenco dancer dolls, Thai dolls and Kandy Pehara dolls from Sri Lanka. The number of authentic Indian collection itself crosses more than 150. Today the total number of dolls in the museum crosses more than 6,500 from around 85 countries.

Delhi international airport and railway station has a wide network from all parts of the country which makes accessibility to Delhi easier. There are several hotels and resorts in Delhi for tourists to rest and enjoy sightseeing.

I’d like to share a few of my favorite environmentally friendly goods with you! More specifically, a girl’s best friend – beauty products!

#1 – EcoTools: Earth-Friendly Beauty  (shown in photo from L to R: Kabuki brush, loofah sponges, bamboo applicators, & mini bamboo nail files)

I discovered these fabulous ‘green’ make-up brushes over the summer & instantly fell in love! Why buy? Their brushes are designed with:

• Synthetic Taklon bristles (100% animal cruelty free) – so soft!
• A sleek ferrule (& retractable cases) made from recycled aluminum.
• Bamboo handles that have low impact on the earth’s resources – as it is a highly sustainable plant.
• Their packaging is recyclable.
• They donate 1% of their annual sales to environmental organization.

My FAVORITE ECOTOOLS are:

* RECYCLED RETRACTABLE KABUKI- the ‘case’ keeps the bristles clean. I used this brush to apply my all-over mineral powder.

* BAMBOO 6 piece BRUSH SET - Contains a brush w/ bamboo handle for: blush, eye shadow, eye liner, & concealer; as well as a lash & brow groomer. Keep them all together & clean in a natural cotton & hemp case w/ tie.

#2 – MyChelle Dermaceuticals

First, I have to say - I have THE most sensitive skin ever – I’m allergic to everything! So I can guarantee you that if I love a product, it is definitely safe for your skin! Therefore, I was pleasantly surprised when a lady at my local organic store recommended this natural facial care line to me! Their products are always free of parabens, propylene glycol, fragrances, artificial colors, & other harmful chemicals.

* MyChelle’s WHITE CRANBERRY CLEANSER. It’s a sulfate-free mild complexion balancing cleanswer w/ Totarol, Tea Tree Leaf Oil, White Grapefruit Peel Oil, Lemongrass Oil, & Cranberry Fruit Juice. It smells citrusy & leaves your skin super soft. However, I do miss the ‘exfoliation’ of my last cleanser. My solution? I simply wet my face w/warm water, ’scrub’ w/finely ground unbleached organic oatmeal - then rinse. Next, I wash w/ the white cranberry cleanser – rinse, & pat dry. To complete my skin care routine, I use MYCHELLE CLEAR SKIN SERUM containing Lavendar oil, Aloe Leaf Juice, & Tea Tree leaf oil. It’s organic, non-drying, & so good for your skin – Perfect!  *p.s. I like to purchase MyChelle products at iHerb.com.  Use Coupon Code UKU201 for $5.00 off your 1st order! And they always have great shipping specials.

#3 – EVERYDAY MINERALS - Named Real Simple magazine’s “Best Mineral Base” in August 2009.   For 3 years, I had used “i.d. Bare Minerals ” mineral powder make-up. I thought I was doing this great thing for my skin by making a switch to natural make-up. Well, to my surprise this past summer – when I began using the powder on my entire face vs. spot treatment – my face began burning! After a little research, I found out it contained a filler – bismuth oxychloride. This ingredient causes allergic reactions to people w/ sensitive skin & creates a “sheen.” Surprise! That is when I discovered EVERYDAY MINERALS. It is bismuth oxychloride-free… & after the first application, I could tell a significant difference between the two. I love it!

What I love most about Everyday Minerals is… you can purchase sample sizes to try (for $2.50) BEFORE spending more $$ on the full-size products. The sample sizes are also great to carry in your purse or take on a weekend getaway! AND they have Try Me Kits (includes 4 shades) you can add to your cart for free w/ every order. It’s a great way to play w/ samples sizes to find your perfect shade(s).  *I apply the Multi-Intensive Concealer w/ my EcoTools Concealer Brush as spot treatment, under the eyes, and as a ‘base’ to help my eyeshadow stay in place. I apply the Base Powder (Beige Neutral) w/ my Kabuki brush. To finish my natural look – my favorite blush is: Coffee Break. And my favorite eyeshadows are: On the Phone and Smokey Pink. Have fun experimenting to find YOUR perfect colors/shades!

*Peace, Love, & My Favorite Things*

There is a brief article in the Mainichi today about the ways young men from outside the kabuki hereditary lineages can become adopted into those lineages and become kabuki actors. As Japanese newspapers have an annoying tendency to not keep archives available online, with the protection of journalistic fair use, I’ll reproduce the English version of the article here:

Despite appearances to the contrary, Tokyo’s Kabuki-za, where tickets sell out day after day, is not quite a closed shop, despite its long tradition of acting families. Those wishing to tread the boards in traditional Japanese style might wish to read on, as we look at two ways of breaking into the world of kabuki acting.

The first is the direct method, involving sponsorship by an established performer. One such up-and-comer is Nakamura Umemaru, 13 years old and apprentice to Nakamura Baigyoku, 63, and who is currently performing in “Kyo o Midasu Uwasa no Kagizume” at the National Theater until Oct. 27.

Umemaru’s parents both work in the publishing industry, but it was clear he was destined for other things when he became entranced by the splendor of kabuki at the tender age of three, after a trip to the theater with his mother.

“I realized I wanted to go on stage,” he said.

He first met mentor Baigyoku backstage at a performance at the age of six. “I let him help out backstage. I thought he would get tired of it, but he started to enjoy it more and more,” Baigyoku recalls.

Umemaru first went on stage himself in 2005, and was given his name two years later.

“Acting and rehearsing is more fun than school,” he says, and the problem is balancing the two.

“In Kabuki, I play characters that don’t exist in modern times. It feels like another world.”

Those that take the direct route can also rise to stardom. Matsumoto Kôshirô VII, a renowned performer from the Meiji to the Shôwa periods, was a protege of Ichikawa Danjûrô IX. Modern stars Bandô Tamasaburô V and Kataoka Ainosuke were also groomed for fame from their apprentice days.

The other way is to take specialist training with the Japan Arts Council (JAC). Of the 305 kabuki actors in April 2009, 86 were graduates of the JAC course.

The three-year course is open to boys aged 15-23, and covers the foundations of acting, movement, traditional Japanese dance and other disciplines. Graduates then go on to join the acting division of production company Shôchiku.

Of the 26 to take the entrance exam in the 2007 academic year, which tests recitation, singing and rhythm skills, amongst other areas, just 10 passed. Three have since quit, leaving seven still enrolled.

The trainees are also participating in “Kyo o Midasu Uwasa no Kagizume.” There will be positions available at the institute for the next school year starting in the spring, with applications accepted until Feb. 26.

(Mainichi Japan) November 1, 2009

Thanks to Nagaeyari of the Ancient Japan Blog for the heads up on this article.

Il y avait un exercice de style dans le même genre que celui auquel je m’apprête à accoster. Il s’agissait, bien évidement, de retranscrire tout ce qui nous passait par la tête. Alors, me voici ! Malheureusement pour votre compréhension, et ce n’est pas faute de le signaler, dans ma dure et précieuse tête nous sommes loin du vide intersidéral. Bien au contraire, c’est un bordel organisé comme un théâtre de Kabuki ayant pour thème l’ontologie, ou encore une décharge de chiure lobotomisante corrélative entre l’être primate et la société que l’on peut trouver visuellement sur nos superbes chaînes hertziennes mais en mieux !

Si je devais me décrire à brûle-pourpoint, je dirais que je suis une personne très sombre et à la fois très gaie qui apprécie à sa juste valeur le je-m’en-foutisme absolument intégral mais également Rosa Acosta dans son intégralité ! Of course, cet état d’esprit fait bien plus de peur que de mal comme dirait Arsène Wenger, mon prof de psychologie eidétique. Les néophytes de cette doctrine, totalement néologique dans son contenu, seront sûrement surpris par un tel engouement pour cette indifférence absolue mais, sincèrement, je m’en bas les reins de vos incartades bande de noobs insolemment hébétés ! En somme, me définir est un procédé plutôt difficile. Et s’il y a bien un mot qui ne figure pas dans mon dictionnaire cérébral, c’est bien ce dernier. Alors voyons, me décrire… Le seul moyen qui me vient à l’esprit est d’utiliser des moitiés proverbes, moitiés slogans déjà tout fait que les gens réels ou virtuels prennent pour argent comptant exsudant suite logique au syndrome récitatif : Moi-je-sais-tout-et-je-t’apprends-la-vie-même-si-je-ne-sais-pas-réfléchir-avec-mon-propre-cerveau, tels que « Je ne me sens seul que dans la foule » de mon fidèle ami d’enfance Jean-Jacques Rousseau ou encore la fameuse et très fine boutade romantique « Tu veux baiser sans sucer, bouffonne ?! » du très célèbre poète contemporain Booba (Que Baudelaire se tienne à carreau !) ! La fosse septique informatisée vient corroborer mes propos suintants la virulence amicale car, qu’est-ce que j’ai pu en lire des torchons collés malencontreusement sur la toile. Et c’est dire le nombre de blaireaux et blairelles que l’ont peut apercevoir dans ce cagibi du net servant de poubelle sociale ! Oscar Wilde se retournerait certainement dans sa tombe en voyant que la débauche artistique n’est pas de la confiture donnée aux cochons mais bel et bien du barbiturique boueux.

En bref, tout ça pour dire que le néant ne conçoit pas forcément de l’ustensibilité (par contre pour le contraire, c’est discutable) et que de toute façon, je n’en aurait rien à foutre de ce que ce texte écrit entre deux bouffées de sandwich hallal sauce samouraï pourrait t’apporter, toi jeune âme perdue qui lit ces quelques lignes.

A la prochaine, je vous salue bien mes chers et tendres lecteurs (Dieu, Georges Berkeley et Ma consultation de statistiques savent combien vous êtes indénombrables) …

Banyak orang yg suka sama genre j-rock dan j-pop. sebenernya kalo disuruh pilih, gw tetep akan lebih prefer ke musik selain 2 tipe musik ini, tapi sayangnya mayoritas lagu di karaoke dikuasain sama 2 genre ini, jadi mau ga mau gw terpaksa denger dan nyanyi juga hahaha. kalo emang ada yang ngaku sebagai japan freak (gw bukan japan freak loh), pernah ga bener2 denger dan nyoba nyanyi lagu genre enka?

Enka adalah genre musik tradisional jepang yg sampe sekarang masih sering terdengar di beberapa spot jepang. bahkan banyak banget tempat karaoke kecil yang khusus menyuguhkan lagu2 enka. tipe musik ini kalo kita samain sama musik indo, mungkin sama dengan keroncong. gw yakin banget pasti banyak yg sadar kalo artis2 jepang (terutama j-pop) kualitas suaranya bapuk dan mereka cenderung nyanyi dgn suara idung, tapi coba denger penyanyi2 enka deh, suaranya bagus2. jujur sih, gw sendiri ga terlalu bisa nyimak dan nikmatin lagu enka, cuma ada beberapa lagu aja yg gw dengerin (buat lucu2an kalo karaoke).

Di jaman r&b kayak skarang, enka udah jadi salah satu musik minoritas disini, yg dengerin cuma kakek2 dan nenek2 (bahkan ibu2 dan bapak2 ogah). tapi lucunya, semenjak beberapa taun yg lalu ada artis enka baru namanya jero. dia keturunan jepang-african american (ga ada jepang2nya sih mukanya & dia adalah penyanyi kulit hitam enka pertama di jepang), umurnya masih 20an dan dia nyoba utk ngepopulerin enka lagi di kalangan anak muda. yang hasilnya udah bisa ditebak, gagal! hahaha, siapa juga yg mau dengerin enka, wong mereka lebih seneng denger suara idung.

Penyanyi enka yg paling terkenal dan melegenda adalah kitajima saburo (king of enka) dan misora hibari (queen of enka, bahkan sering disebut sebagai the queen of japanese singers). sblm2nya gw ga pernah tau musik enka sama skali, sampe pada suatu hari guru bahasa jepang gw di indo (pas gw masih ambil kelas intensif bhs jpg sblm brangkat ksini) ngasih denger lagu-nya misora hibari ke satu kelas. kirain yg nyanyi kakek2, tapi ternyata nenek2 hahaha. pertama kali denger lagu dgn judul “ai san san”, bener2 lagu khusus buat kakek nenek. tapi setelah disimak lagi liriknya, ternyata bagus banget. jadilah semenjak saat itu gw sering search2 lagu enka utk bahan karaoke kalo udah sampe di jepang haha. setiap org jepang yg ajak gw karaoke, kalo gw nyanyi lagunya misora hibari atau kitajima saburo pasti langsung kaget, dan gw seneng ngeliat mereka kaget. coba aja bayangin kalo ada orang jepang karaoke di inulvista atau happy puppy trus nyanyi lagu2nya waljinah, pasti giliran kita yg kaget dan dia seneng ngeliat kita kaget.　tapi menurut gw, misora hibari genre-nya lebih luas, krn dia termasuk salah satu penyanyi yg mempopulerkan lagu2 jazz dan soul kulit hitam di jepang. coba liat video yg gw ambil dari youtube di atas deh. dia nyanyi jazz standard yg judulnya “stardust” (aslinya dia nyanyi sendiri), tapi saking sukanya sama misora hibari, hirai ken ngebuat sebuah remix sehingga keliatannya mereka lagi duet.

Kalo tertarik mau denger kayak apa tipe musik enka yg kalo di dengerin pertama kali bikin pusing ini, coba dengerin lagunya kitajima saburo yg judulnya “matsuri” dan lagunya misora hibari yg judulnya “omatsuri mambo“, dijamin pusing haha.

Oh iya, untuk menghormati guru bhs jepang gw di indonesia yang memperkenalkan gw dan temen2 gw dengan lagu2nya misora hibari, kita sampe sempet nyekar ke kuburannya si queen of enka ini! ternyata kuburannya ga sebesar julukannya dia. jadi foto ini khusus gw dedikasiin utk rudi sensei salah satu dosen bhs jepang di binus.

By now, you have heard my endless ranting about how it is impossible to find ramen in Santa Clarita. I have searched and complained and pleaded with someone to please open a ramen shop in town. Please! I’ll take a stand at the food court in the mall! Anything!

I love ramen. A lot. Not Maruchan Ramen, duh! I mean brothy porky ramen goodness! My favorite ramen shop is Daikokuya Ramen but its located all the way in Little Tokyo. Plus, there is always a line to get in. Usually I end up at Chin-Ma-Ya (pictured below), but then again, it is also in Little Tokyo. Needless to say, I don’t get to eat ramen as often as I would like, so that means I’m always craving ramen. Like. All. The. Time.

I so desperately needed a place that was in town and that was easily accessible on the way home from work. Today, I heard a rumor from R.E. that they had ramen at Kabuki. Yeah, Kabuki, of all places! You know, the one within the Bridgeport Marketplace? Look for the ducks.

So today after work, I made my way over to Kabuki to see if it was true. Could it be? That the local restaurant slanging ramen that I had so desperately been searching for was actually a chain? And, not just a chain, but a place that is primarily known as a sushi chain? But. Why??? *Shakes Fist*

Guess what? It was true. It took some searching through the menu, but finally under “noodle” they have two types of ramen, Soy and Cha-Siu. Two guesses as to which one I ordered…here is a hint. It was the one described as Japanese delicate ramen in pork broth, served with sweet roasted pork. Score!

Ahh, Kabuki. What can I say. I’ve been here a few times since they opened. I think they have a pretty good priced happy hour menu where you can order dishes for only like $3 but the portion is surely worth like 4 times that amount.

Sidenote? When you order ramen, you get your choice of a miso soup or small salad as your side. Hehe. Ramen + Miso? Whut? Needless to say, I went with the salad. Oh, look! The restaurant was clean and the waitress was friendly.

Ramen!

By this point, I was really enjoying my ramen. The portion was really good for the price, as this whole bowl was only about $8 or something! Did I mention noodles?

This is not my new favorite ramen place. It wasn’t the most incredible ever. I like my ramen to be really buttery like at Daikokura. Yet, I will definitely come back at least once a week after work for this ramen. Why? Because it was good. It really was. And, it is so close to home! Now I can quench my craving for ramen whenever I want! FINALLY! Ramen in the SCV! Of course, after leaving, I come to find out that Hsaiwen totally knew they had ramen here, and hadn’t told me! He’s such a nice brother cousin.

Kabuki

24045 Newhall Ranch Rd. Suite A-2

Valencia, CA 91354

]]> http://justsmokeandmirrors.wordpress.com/2009/10/24/fit-up/ Sat, 24 Oct 2009 19:17:00 +0000 Martin Aitken http://justsmokeandmirrors.wordpress.com/2009/10/24/fit-up/

This is a relatively short blog since I seem rather stuck for anything to reflect about this week. While I have enjoyed myself since I have returned to the Academy, I have really relaxed into this week and enjoyed myself more. We are now on the stage and it is such a relief to be able to work in your own space and finish a job without needing to negotiate tools and move from space to space several times. All things considered I have really enjoyed this production so far since it has been challenging, but also a good way to ease us back into the Academy.

Below is a very short video of a trial kabuki. We had a bit of a struggle getting the trellises and kabuki masking up and working, but I think we are almost there. There were points during the steeldecking and kabukis which reminded my of the “three holes” incident. (clicky) I was reminded of this because I felt, on a few occasions, there were too many measurements being thrown about and too many people trying to put forward their solutions rather than stopping, talking it through and taking action. This said, I thought Kirsty did a good job at taking all the points and ideas and forming a plan from them. I think the kabuki works well and will look very effective when all six go, but I will let you decide.

Finally, this week the TSM crew worked out a freak coincidence (or perhaps it was fate?) and following in the footsteps of Stage Management, I now proudly launch the TSM logo:

MEET One of the Newest Modeling Agency on the Block that’s already turning heads: .::KABUKI::.

KABUKI provides SL’s fashion industry with dynamic exceptional top models for – catwalk, print and mannequin.
Kabuki Creator blackLiquid Tokyoska works her magic in providing a breathtaking runway show with her skills in runway and set design as well as impeccable fashion taste. Her team includes ChloeRose Constantine KABUKI VP and her P.A. Lela Exonar, KABUKI Offical writers, Hollee Zora, Aspen Parx & Nave Fall. BurningBright Nightfire & Naiya Kazyanenko as runway managers. Rhonda Pennell liason & joined by blackLiquid and Chloe as style staff.

KABUKI will always have very progressive ideals, and will strive to push the boundaries creatively. We have an open minded and open door policy for all models including staff of other agencies, who sometimes are overlooked. We are really not out to compete with anyone, Our main aim is to create, share, and inspire.

Lucky for you, KABUKI are accepting applications from highly skilled professional models.
Let’s ask KABUKI Creator blackLiquid Tokyoska what it takes to be a KABUKI MODEL.

Q: What attributes must a model possess in order to gain admission into your agency?

BT: Uniqueness! A strong sense of personal style, passion for the industry and focused drama free attitude. I’m looking for someone who is obviously well put together & switched on. Runway experience is very important. A person that has previous training at an academy, and someone with a good work ethic.

Q: There is a general perception amongst models that some agencies only hire those who have established a reputable name for themselves, whether it be with a top-tier agency or otherwise. Is this important to you? Model training aside, are you willing to take a chance on a model who is new to the industry?

BT: I am absolutely willing to take a chance on a model who is new to the industry! This is fashion, ever changing in constant flux, without new blood–it’s been done before. New models are as fundamental to it’s success in general as the highly experienced top models, the mix is what keeps things interesting.

Q:Is a potential candidate for your agency required to undertake training specifically with your model academy?

BT: We do not have a modeling academy nor do we have any plans for one, but if it was clear the model needed training, personally I would recommend AVENUE Academy.

Thank YOU blackLiquid Tokyoska and KABUKI for letting us interview you and sharing to our readers what KABUKI is all about. =)

PLEASE leave some comments about KABUKI and anything else you would like to share. TY!

Great Kabuki actor Jakuemon Nakamura in his dressing room (Photo: Steve Ferrier)

To find the national living treasure we had to move like Indiana Jones through low tunnels, around tight corners and past many obstacles.

The object of our quest was Jakuemon Nakamura, perhaps the most famous Kabuki actor in Japan and one whose mere name elicits sighs of admiration.

Nakamura’s dressing room is under the plush auditorium of Tokyo’s famous Kabuki-za Theatre and can be reached only by maneuvering through labyrinthine corridors in the bowels of the great building.

At last, through sliding doors in  a Japanese-style room of elegant simplicity, we meet the great master, seated on a low stool , wearing a dark grey and black gown and flanked by huge bouquets from his many adoring fans.

Nakamura’s  surprisingly youthful-looking face—he is 77—would come as a surprise to his audiences, who are used to seeing him in gorgeous female costumes and white facial make-up. He is an onnagata, an actor who specialises in female roles.

Spectacle

Kabuki is a colourful and melodramatic form of drama, begun in the17^th century when, during a time of strict and conservative political rule, the people clamoured for such spectacle.

Now it is enjoying a boom as young Japanese flock to performances.

Men have played the female roles for centuries. The original performances by actresses were considered too suggestive, indicative of their raunchy moonlighting activities.

Roles are generally hereditary.  Nakamura’s 48-year-old son plays a male role and his 41-year-old is also an onnagata.

Nakamura told how he began his career when he was three by learning to chant Japanese classics and then, three years later, by performing dances on stage. During his school years he continued to practice and perform but his career was interrupted when his voice broke.

The Japanese army then conscripted him as a truck driver and sent him to South-East Asia.

Emperor

Upon his return, he resumed his career and became so successful that he has been invited regularly to the imperial palace, where he has chatted with the previous and current emperor and empress about his work in the theatre.

“Because I play a female role, I bring with me a lot of costumes and wigs and give explanations about them,” he said, adding that his imperial hosts were great fans of Kabuki.

Nakamura said onnagata play female figures differently from movie actresses.

“Our performances are not natural but artificial,” he said, making his point by pointing in several directions to illustrate first a young girl, then a middle-aged woman and then a grandmother.

His great artistry, shown in such a casual demonstration, was clearly appreciated by everyone in the room. There is no need to ask why, in 1991, he was accorded the honour of being named  a “national living treasure”.

Fresh spirit

Despite his many years on the stage, Nakamura said he has to approach every new performance with fresh spirit.

“You need to have a heart to perform a role in a play, or otherwise you can’t impress an audience, You also need to acquire the proper techniques or else you will not convey your message.”

Kabuki stories range  from those with realistic and unrealistic themes to psychological dramas. There is one which parallels Romeo and Juliet. Many address great and tragic issues.

In the theatre above Nakamura’s dressing groom, non-Japanese speakers can listen to a translation and explanation on headphones as the spectacle of colour, drama and music unfolds before them. The stories become fascinating and easy to follow.

Nakamura said he hoped Kabuki will be enjoyed in many countries in the world. He had some final words of advice for his visitors.

“Kabuki is something which is not so much about thinking but about how you feel.”

END
Many thanks to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its assistance.

Besar Kekuatan: 810 Douriki

Kumadori muncul di Enies Lobby dan menjadi agen terakhir yang diperkenalkan. Kumadori berpenampilan seperti seorang kabuki pada teater Jepang. Kumadori punya sifat yang selalu merasa bersalah. Sehingga kerapkali dia ingin melakukan bunuh diri tetapi tidak bisa karena dia mengeluarkan Tekkai.

Kata Kumadori berarti riasan wajah pada seorang aktor kabuki. Dalam penampilannya, Kumadori terkadang melakukan drama layaknya seorang aktor.

Kumadori kadang megatakan “YOYOI” di akhir atau awal kalimat. Meskipun ia sangat kuat, Kumadori sangat mudah dibodohi. Ia akhirnya dikalahkan Chopper yang berubah menjadi monster dengan menggunakan 3 buah rumble ball.
Serangan Kumadori

- Haru Gin Jo (Puisi Emosi Musim Semi) Kumadori Menikam Punggung Lawannya dengan Tongkatnya Dengan kekuatan yang luar biasa (dia terlebih dahulu menahan lawannya dengan Kami Shibari)

- Yana Gin Jo (Hapalan Emosi Pohon Willow) sama seperti Haru Gin Jo, bedanya dia menyerang dada lawannya

- Seimei Kikan : Kami Shibari (Pengembali Nyawa : Rambut Pengikat) Kumadori dapat mengontrol rambutnya untuk mengikat lawannya

that was a good trip to go to lIttele tokyo from my house.

i was walking and using only Merto, not my car.

今日は２日ぶりに晴れで、散歩がてら地下鉄をつかって小東京に行ってきました。

99 cents store… ready for halloween …

９９セントストアも、もうハロウィン商品でいっぱいです。

some cool building…　お洒落な会社。。。

went to japanese consul general for bring somebody’s passport… this guy forgot the passport at the store…haha

日本領事館がリトル東京にあるので、誰かが店に忘れて行ったパスポートを届けにいきました。良い事するってなんか気持ち良いですね。

went to see a KABUKI SHOW.  that was awesome. thIs Is the first tIme I have seen In my lIfe.

生まれて初めて歌舞伎を見に行きました。感動しました。まさかLAで見るとは。

it reminded me Ground Zero in NY.

なんとなく、ニューヨークのグラウンドゼロを思い出しました。

somebody is felling form the celling…

天井からたくさんの人が降ってました。

back to my neighbor.

近所に付いた頃には大分くらくなり始めてました。

XMA(some NINJYA place？) and one of the famous dance studio MILLENNIUM

XMA(忍者道場？) と MILLENNIUM(日本人の生徒もかなり多いようです)

was waiting for this Movie!

やっと明日からです。この映画。

it was grateful day without driving.

とってもいい日になりました。たまには散歩もいいもんですね。

lIMITEd eDITIOn

Former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, a kabuki fan and eloquent speaker, will provide the voice for Ultraman King, a legendary elder of the gigantic Ultraman, who came to Earth to defend humans from space monsters.

“We considered many people that might be able to play this crucial role. But we thought the only person that could really have the presence of Ultraman King, who brings together the clan, would be Mr Koizumi, who once headed the state”, said a spokesman for Tsuburaya Productions.

“No one else can play this significant role except for former premier Koizumi, who once led the country,” said Junko Kitazawa of Tsuburaya Production.

“We asked Mr. Koizumi to play the role because Ultraman King is an elder of Ultraman, and because he delivers a speech in the movie. Mr. Koizumi led the country. His voice is persuasive and (has the tone) of an experienced man“, said producer Akimoto Okagawa of Tsuburaya Productions.

Mentor in upcoming Ultraman movie to boast the smooth lines of Koizumi, Japan Times, Oct. 14, 2009

After quitting politics, Japan’s Koizumi turns superhero, Reuters, Oct 13, 2009

Japan’s ex-PM Koizumi gets a superhero role, AFP, Oct 13, 2009