Shimpa and Shingeki

Shimpa and Shingeki

Both Shimpa and Shingeki were modern developments in Japanese theater.

Shimpa, or new school, shared some elements with Kabuki like onnagata and the off-stage music.  Shimpa featured melodramatic themes and can be traced to agit-prop theater in the 1880’s. Shingeki did not feature any of the elements common to Kabuki plays, but instead attempted to imitate the western theater genres. Shingeki focused on modern, self-contained plots and realistic themes starting in the 19^th century. Shingeki became one of the first cinema genres in Japan and often featured realistic and foreign costumes. Singeki film also featured close-ups.