Colegio del Santisimo Rosario, Inc.

Libmanan, Camarines Sur

Tel. No. : (054) 511-8217
Email Address: csrlibmanan2020@gmail.com

JMJ

LEARNING MODULE IN ARTS 8

Module No. 23-24 Module Title: FESTIVAL AND THEATER ARTS:

CHINA AND JAPAN
No. of Lessons in Q4: Grade Level: 8 May 2-13, 2022
4

Module Overview

The learner will help to understand the basic concepts, elements, and principles of
festivals and theater art forms in the great country of China and Japan.
Terminologies
Wigs is a head or heir accessory made from human hair, animal hair or
synthetic fiber.
Platform a raised level surface on which people or things can stand.
Make up invent a story or plan.

Lesson Content

Mabuhay and blessed be God forever!

Inour previous lessons, we discuss the arts and crafts of South, West, and
Central Asia. The arts of South, West, and Central Asia had a great international impact
through trade. Textiles were perhaps the most important art form in these regions and
dominated much of the international trade between Europe and Asia.

Let’s start our discussion!

CHINESE FESTIVAL/THEATER ART

• CHINESE PEKING OPERA

Peking Opera or Beijing Opera combines music, vocal performance, pantomime,

dance, and acrobatics. During the Qing Dynasty court, it became extremely popular and
came to be regarded as one of the cultural treasures of China.

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Pupils were often handpicked at a young age by a teacher and trained for seven
years on contract with the child’s parents. Students of these schools rose as early as
five o’clock in the morning for exercises. Daytime was spent learning the skills of acting
and combat, and senior students performed in outside theaters in the evening.

VISUAL PERFORMANCE ELEMENTS

Peking-opera performers utilize four main skills:

1. Song
2. Speech
3. Dance-acting - This includes pure dance, pantomime, and all other types of
dance.
4. Combat - includes both acrobatics and fighting with all manner of weaponry.

Stages:
1. Square platforms, the action on stage is usually visible from at least three sides.
2. Stages were built above the line of sight of the viewers, but some modern stages
have been constructed with higher audience seating.
3. Divided into two parts by an embroidered curtain called a shoujiu.

Costume:
Xingtou – popularly known as Xifu in Chinese. Origins of Peking Opera
costumes can be traced back to the mid-14th century. Costumes enable the audience to
distinguish a character's sex and status at first glance if noble or humble, civilian or
military, officials or private citizens. They also give expression to sharp distinctions
between good and evil or loyal and wicked characters. The oblong wings (chizi)
attached to a gauze hat indicate a loyal official. In contrast, a corrupt official is made to
wear a gauze hat with rhomboidal wing.

Props:
Peking Opera utilizes very few props. Performances will almost always have a
table and at least one chair, which can be turned through convention into such diverse
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Libmanan, Camarines Sur
Tel. No. : (054) 511-8217
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JMJ

objects as a city wall, a mountain, or a bed. A whip is used to indicate a horse and an
oar symbolizes a boat.

Musicians:
Musicians are visible to the audience on the front part of the stage.

Viewers:
Always seated south of the stage, therefore, north is the most important direction

Performers:
Immediately move to center north upon entering the stage. All characters enter
from the east and exit from the west.

CHINESE SPRING NEW YEAR FESTIVAL

This festival is the longest and the most important festivity in the Chinese
calendar. Since the spring season in Chinese calendar starts with lichun, the first solar
term in Chinese calendar year, and it marks the end of the winter season. The origin of
Chinese New Year is itself centuries old and gains significance because of several
myths and traditions.

Chinese New Year is celebrated in countries and territories with significant

Chinese populations, like: Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Singapore,
Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mauritius, Philippines, Vietnam.
Part of the celebration is the dragon dancing. The dragon dance has been
indispensable to Chinese festivals since ancient times. With the spread of Chinese
people and culture all over the world, the dragon dance has been brought to every
corner of the world where there are overseas Chinese gathered (Cindy, 2021). It has
become a symbol of Chinese culture and the dragon symbolizes power, strength and
good luck.

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Libmanan, Camarines Sur
Tel. No. : (054) 511-8217
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JMJ

JAPAN FESTIVAL/THEATER ART

• KABUKI

Kabuki is a form of traditional Japanese drama with highly stylized song, mime,
and dance, now performed only by male actors. Japanese used this as a verb meaning
“act dissolutely,” later interpreting the word as “ka” for song, “bu” for dance, and “ki” for
art/ skill.

Kabuki’s highly lyrical plays are regarded, with notable exceptions, less as
literature than as vehicles for actors to demonstrate their enormous range of skills in
visual and vocal performance. These actors have carried the traditions of Kabuki from
one generation to the next with only slight alterations. Many of them trace their ancestry
and performing styles to the earliest Kabuki actors and add a “generation number” after
their names to indicate their place in the long line of actors (Britannica).

Visual Elements of Kabuki:

Mie - in which the actor holds a picturesque pose to establish his character and
his house name yagō, is sometimes heard in a loud shout (kakegoe) from expert
audience member, serving both to express and enhance the audience's appreciation of

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the actor's achievement. An even greater compliment can be paid by shouting the name
of the actor's father.

Keshō Actors are separated into two main categories:

Onna-gata - female roles and;
Aragoto - male roles.

Most main characters in Kabuki plays are aragoto, because of its super-stylized
masculine, heroic style.

The play occupies five acts. Some parts correspond to:

• jo, an auspicious and slow opening which introduces the audience to the
characters and the plot.
• ha, speeding events up, culminating almost always in a great moment of drama
or tragedy in the third act and possibly a battle in the second and/or fourth acts.
• kyu, is almost always short, providing a quick and satisfying conclusion.

Kabuki props are often quite interesting. Flowing water is usually represented
by fluttering roles of linen; and creatures like insects and foxes. Props often have
symbolic meanings. Fans are used to symbolize wind, a sword, a tobacco pipe, waves
or food. Costumes are swung from sticks or manipulated by helpers who come on stage
dressed in black hooded robes so they are invisible to the audience.

The female characters generally wear an elaborate kimono and obi. Pleated
hakuma trousers are worn by characters of sexes. Actors playing both sexes often have
a supported midriff because a straight and curve less figure are regarded the essence
of beauty. Costume changing is considered as an art. There are special teams that take
care of complete and partial costume changes and are done as part of the
performances.

Wigs are important accessories, with each costume having its own type.
Specialized craftsmen shape the wigs to the head. Wigs are made of human hair or
horse hair or, bear fur or yak-tail hair imported from Tibet.

TAIKO DRUM FESTIVAL

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A good example of a professional taiko drumming troupe in Japan is the Kodo.

They are based in Sado Island, Japan, and they had a big role in popularizing taiko
drumming, both in Japan and abroad. They regularly tour Japan, Europe, and the
United States. Their name, "Kodo" conveys two meanings:

1. "heartbeat" the primal source of all rhythm and, read in a different way;
2. "children of the drum," a reflection of Kodo's desire to play their drums simply,
with the heart of a child.

The main focus of the performance:

• Uchite is the Taiko drummer

• Different drums such as taiko, and odaiko
• Other traditional Japanese musical instruments such as fue and shamisen make
an appearance on stage.

Traditional dance and vocal performance are part of the Taiko Drum
performances which include pieces based on the traditional rhythms of regional Japan,
pieces composed for Kodo by contemporary songwriters, and pieces written by Kodo
members themselves. Kodo's performances normally last for about one hour and forty
minutes.
In history, drums were used in ancient times to signify the boundaries of a
village. Peasant events such as the rice harvests or dance festivals were celebrated
with drums. Drums were also used to pray for rain and other religious ceremonies.
Additionally, drums lead warriors into battles in order to scare off the enemy.

Chinese theater and Japan theater have both found their unique forms
throughout time, but interestingly enough, they both began with equal beginnings.

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Libmanan, Camarines Sur
Tel. No. : (054) 511-8217
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JMJ

Written Work 1

Name :____________________________________________Score:_______________
Grade Level:________________________________________Date:_______________

A. Instructions: Circle the correct answer.

1.These props can always be seen on stage in Peking Opera.

A. Bed and pillows C. Drums and cymbals
B. Chairs and tables D. Wood blocks and sticks

2.With highly stylized song, mime, and dance, this performance is only performed by
male actors.
A. Dragon Dancing C. Peking opera
B. Kabuki D. Sinulog Dance

3. Traditional Chinese dance that is usually seen during the Chinese New Year
Celebration. This dance is based on a mythical creature believed by the Chinese
people.
A. Dragon dance C. Lion dance
B. Snake dance D. Gangnam dance

4. Kodo conveys two meanings, “heartbeat” and ______________.

A. children of Fuji C. children of the drum
B. children of Kung Fu D. children of the sun

5. The visual elements of Peking Opera include song, speech, dance and ________.
A. acting B. combat
C. debate D. war dance

6. The Dragon Dance is a form of traditional dance and performance in Chinese culture.
The dragon symbolizes power, strength and __________.
A. good luck B. health C. love D. hope

7. “Ki” in Kabuki theater means _________.

A. art B. dance C. love D. spirit

8. The male roles in kabuki performances.

A. Aragato B. Aragoto C. Arigato D. Arigoto

9. The Taiko drum festival is celebrated in____________.

A. America B. China C. Indonesia D. Japan

10. Peking Opera stages are divided into two parts by an embroidered curtain called a
___________.
A. lichun B. Onna-gata C. shoujiu D. Uchite

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Libmanan, Camarines Sur
Tel. No. : (054) 511-8217
Email Address: csrlibmanan2020@gmail.com

JMJ

B. Instructions: Identify the country where each festival and theatre art are portrayed
and performed. Choose either CHINA or JAPAN.

1. 2.

3. 4.

5. 6.

7. 8.

9. 10.

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Libmanan, Camarines Sur
Tel. No. : (054) 511-8217
Email Address: csrlibmanan2020@gmail.com

JMJ

Mini Performance Task 1

Name :____________________________________________Score:_______________
Grade Level:________________________________________Date:_______________

Instructions: Draw your own design of Kabuki Mask/Make up to recognize the basic
concepts, elements, and principles of festivals and theater art forms in
the great country.
MATERIALS:
• Pencil
• Bond paper
• Crayon/water color

CRITERIA HIGHEST POSSIBLE TEACHER’S RATE

SCORE
Creativity 40 pts.
Harmony and Balance 30 pts.
Relevance to the Theme 20 pts.
Effort 10 pts.
TOTAL: 100 pts.

Parent’s Signature:_________________________________
Date Submitted:___________________________________

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