Kitsune persona & Kabuki in period

[Lady Kimiko]

My persona is not set in stone. The original concept was that my persona was a woman who's usband and clan was on the loosing side of one of the many battles that has taken place around the momoyama period. Cast out, and devoid of fortune she became a river woman...and eeked out her pety living there. Only to have her luck turn about when a certain temple Priest arove and began recruiting a rag tag bunch to begin what is later known as the founding of Kabuki.

Kabukis early years and very early founding is period. The 1603 date creditted with its start is the official "acknowledgement". That in 1603 the performing group had established their reputation, had a variety of performances, and more. One of my books cites the first actual performances being performed around 1590 in Kyoto (this might be a little off, Im pulling from memory - but is in fact in one of my books).

Think about it -1603 is when they were given a formal invitation to perform in the newly established hanamachi district. By 1603 were a widely known group, with a reputation, many performers and even off shoot troupes, variety of performances and more...which is something that takes years to build toward.


So....back to my persona.

2 options - early follower of Izumo no Okuni the founder of (my character persona would be a river dancer) ....or.... play a mythological period character: a kitsune. Kitsune was said to pose as a human and visit court many times all through SCA period. Either way, Im gonna be rocking out a silver fox tail, and a mask. This is NOt a furry thing - I really enjoy this particular of Japanese folklore and history.

Today I went and bought the supplies to begin working on my kitsune mask that will be made in the style used commonly in noh. I dont know if early kabuki used masks - the orignal founding dances and costuming has been lost to time. I don't see why they wouldnt possibly also use masks for some of their story retelling.


Here is a modern kabuki performance that features kitsune. In this warrior monks have been sent after kitsune who bewitches them. The monks dance, and sing as kitsune puppets them to the music: www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnAVCnNEy9E


Thoughts?

[Noriko]

I'd go with the former. Playing anything non-human in the SCA is rather frowned upon (I believe I've read SCA costuming guidelines that suggest one leave the elf ears at home)[1].
Even if you say, "I'm playing an actor and this is my stage costume", you can't walk up to every single person and explain yourself. Therefore, you still risk getting a couple raised eyebrows since it's also assumed one is sporting mundane period clothing as opposed to anything ceremonial. Even if it's not your intention, everyone is going to think otherwise.

However, if I've misinterpreted your thread and it's for a costume ball or other event where people will all be wearing something special, knock yourself out.


[1]Though I have been to events where people have worn them. Eh, none of my business, really, though their costume was good enough without them...

[Lady Kimiko]

Solid points, Ill stick with a river dancer. If in doubt mask can come off and be worn over the back of my professional camera back to better hide the not so period equipment I drag to events.

As for being alien - around here no matter what I do Ill be alien. I dont blacken my teeth or whiten my face just because most eye the kosode as an unknown oddity. Im going to have my fun, even if Im alone in the corner doing so

[Ishida Kentarou Mitsumasa]

I have found that any persona with strictly necessary explanation past time, place, and social class tends to confuse people. "1575, Japanese warrior" is all I ever really have time to get out before the majority of people lose interest, but it's also enough to explain everything about me. I also find that this makes me seem less alien; when the message I have about what I'm doing is "I am a person from a place in a time, just like you!" that tends to un-jar people.