Kabuki as Multiple Narrative Structures and Narrative Generation

Abstract

This chapter undertakes a comprehensive survey and analysis of kabuki, aiming to explore a narrative generation-reception and a narrative production-consumption model of kabuki from the viewpoint of an information system and, in particular, a narrative generation system. A fundamental concept of the modeling is “multiplicity,” or multiple narrative structures. In addition, the author associates this model with the concept of the Geinō Information System (GIS), representing a system model in which multiple narrative generations and production mechanisms or processes are included. This chapter presents introductory knowledge on kabuki, including history and basic terms, as background for the discussion. In addition, this chapter shows the results of concrete analyses of kabuki's elements, including “person,” “story,” “tsukushi,” and “naimaze.”