Dance Definitions and Techniques

Questions and Answers

What does art hold up a mirror to?

society that produces it

What is the blend of spectacle, music, and physical virtuosity called?

European heritage

What are the classical forms of dance mentioned?

Kabuki & ballet

Who saved dances from extinction?

Groups of performers, patrons & spectators Signup and view all the answers

How is classic dance theater characterized?

Expensive Signup and view all the answers

Who is Suki Schorer?

Principal with Balanchine's NYC Ballet Signup and view all the answers

What is a fish dive in dance?

When a female dancer leaps into the arms of a male with full faith Signup and view all the answers

Do ballerinas emphasize physical strain during performance?

False Signup and view all the answers

Do kabuki dancers emphasize physical strain?

True Signup and view all the answers

What is a plié?

Knee bend done as the first exercise Signup and view all the answers

Who was George Balanchine?

Ballet master of NYC Ballet for 35 years Signup and view all the answers

Which social classes replaced the sovereign in power?

Upper & middle class Signup and view all the answers

Who was Fanny Elssler?

Star of the Paris Opera Ballet Signup and view all the answers

What does en pointe mean?

Dancing on toes done by ballerinas Signup and view all the answers

Who is known as the original Sylphide?

Marie Taglioni Signup and view all the answers

How were ballerinas portrayed in the Romantic era?

"More than human" Signup and view all the answers

What is The Sleeping Beauty known for?

Prominent 19th century classical dance Signup and view all the answers

How is ballet characterized?

Daring, ambitious, and as restless as the culture from which it springs Signup and view all the answers

What are the origins of Kabuki?

Evolved from wild street dancing; worked its way up the ladder of acceptability Signup and view all the answers

What is an onnagata?

Kabuki performer that specializes in female roles Signup and view all the answers

Who is Bando Tamasaburo?

Well known onnagata Signup and view all the answers

What is the younger generation in ballet responsible for?

Preserving its legacy Signup and view all the answers

At what age does kabuki training begin?

Age of 5 Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the older generation in kabuki?

Responsible for passing down its customs Signup and view all the answers

Who was named 'living national treasure' by the Japanese government?

Nakamura Utaemon VI Signup and view all the answers

Who was Okuni?

Informal dancer of kabuki but was invited to dance for the emperor in 1603 Signup and view all the answers

Why did prostitute's kabuki catch the attention of authorities?

Caught attention of authorities Signup and view all the answers

In what year were women banned from kabuki?

1629 Signup and view all the answers

Why were women banned from kabuki?

To uphold public morality and avoid ruin of the patriarchal society Signup and view all the answers

In what year did it become that only men were allowed to perform kabuki?

1652 Signup and view all the answers

Who created castes and imposed displays showing social status?

Shoguns Signup and view all the answers

What are daimyos?

Land-owning feudal lords that dominated social structure Signup and view all the answers

What happened in kabuki in 1657?

Kabuki performances were prohibited outside of marked theater district Signup and view all the answers

What is considered the most important virtue?

Obedience Signup and view all the answers

What does the term masterless samurai refer to?

Warrior that has been severed from his lord's service Signup and view all the answers

What was common in kabuki related to suicides?

Very common until many young lovers began to imitate Signup and view all the answers

What was the largest city in the world in the 18th century?

Edo Signup and view all the answers

When did kabuki festivals begin?

Early morning & lasted until dusk Signup and view all the answers

Was it shameful to see kabuki dances?

True Signup and view all the answers

Who were kabuki's most avid fans?

Merchants for whom the theater offered a temporary respite from a tightly regulated existence Signup and view all the answers

What is significant about the kabuki cast?

Characters that everyone related to followed social code Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason people go to kabuki?

Striking imagery Signup and view all the answers

What does kata refer to in kabuki?

Discrete units of state technique (traditional poses, gestures, and actions known by name) Signup and view all the answers

What are roppos in kabuki?

Special class of kata that are entrances/exits Signup and view all the answers

What is shosagoto in kabuki?

Pieces where narratives are less important than pure dance Signup and view all the answers

What is the most famous dance piece in kabuki?

"The Dancing Maiden at Dojo Temple" Signup and view all the answers

How many plays are in the standard kabuki repertory?

350 plays Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Dance Definitions and Concepts

Art reflects and critiques the society that creates it.
European heritage is characterized by a fusion of spectacle, music, and physical virtuosity.
Classical forms of dance include Kabuki and ballet.
Groups of performers, patrons, and spectators played crucial roles in preserving dance traditions from extinction.
Classic dance theater is often expensive to produce.
Suki Schorer, a principal dancer, was associated with Balanchine's NYC Ballet.

Dance Techniques and Movements

The "fish dive" involves a female dancer leaping into a male partner's arms, requiring trust.
Ballerinas typically do not reveal the physical strain or pain they endure during performances, maintaining an illusion of ease.
In contrast, Kabuki dancers emphasize the physical aspects of their performances.
A plié is a foundational exercise in ballet involving a knee bend.

Influential Figures in Ballet

George Balanchine served as ballet master of the NYC Ballet for 35 years.
Fanny Elssler was a star performer at the Paris Opera Ballet.
Marie Taglioni is remembered as the original Sylphide, embodying the ethereal quality of Romantic ballet.
Ballerinas in the Romantic Era were often perceived as "more than human", symbolizing grace and artistry.

Historical Context of Kabuki

Kabuki originated from impromptu street dances, evolving to gain societal acceptance.
Onnagata are Kabuki performers specialized in female roles, with prominent figures like Bando Tamasaburo.
The younger generation in ballet focuses on preserving the dance's legacy, while the older generation maintains its customs.
Training for Kabuki begins as early as age five.
Nakamura Utaemon VI was honored as a "living national treasure" by the Japanese government for his contribution to Kabuki.

Cultural Shifts and Regulations

Okuni, an informal dancer, was invited to perform for the emperor in 1603, marking a significant recognition of Kabuki.
Women were banned from performing in Kabuki in 1629 to uphold public morality and protect patriarchal society.
By 1652, only men were permitted to perform Kabuki, leading to a male-dominated art form.
Shoguns enforced caste systems and public displays, reinforcing social hierarchies.
Daimyo were the land-owning feudal lords influencing the social structure of the time.

Performance and Society

By 1657, Kabuki performances were restricted to designated theater districts.
Obedience was regarded as the most valuable virtue in the social hierarchy.
Masterless samurai, or ronin, were warriors who lost their lord's favor and service.
Suicides in Kabuki were common, leading to imitative behavior among young lovers.
Edo, the largest city in the 18th century, was a pivotal cultural center for Kabuki theater.

Kabuki Theatrical Elements

Kabuki festivals began in the early morning and continued until dusk, drawing large crowds.
Attending Kabuki could be seen as shameful, leading some audience members to hide their presence.
Merchants formed the most devoted audience for Kabuki, finding escape in the performances from their regulated lives.
The Kabuki cast is composed of characters that adhered to social codes, making the performances relatable to the audience.
Striking imagery is a significant draw for Kabuki performances, enhancing the visual experience.

Technical Aspects of Kabuki

"Kata" refers to the discrete forms of dance techniques, including traditional poses and gestures.
"Roppos" are specific kata representing entrances and exits in performance.
"Shosagoto" focuses on dance over narrative, prioritizing movement for its own sake.
"The Dancing Maiden at Dojo Temple" is recognized as the most famous dance piece in Kabuki.
The standard Kabuki repertory comprises around 350 plays, showcasing its rich theatrical tradition.

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Description

Explore the intricate world of dance with this quiz focused on definitions, concepts, and techniques. Delve into the roles of influential figures such as George Balanchine and discover the unique movements found in ballet and Kabuki styles. Test your knowledge on how dance interacts with society and its evolving traditions.