Posted by Emma Haverkamp (203.92.84.189) on January 14, 2006 at 08:10:38:
Dear Sir/Madame, I am a student of the UWCSEA School in Singapore and I am doing a theatre art project on kabuki make-up and costumes. I choose to focus on the character of Umeomaru in the scene ‘Kuruma Biki’ which is called ‘Pulling the carriage apart' of the play ‘Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami’, which is called ‘Sugawara Secrets of Calligraphy’ in English. I am supposed to write a clear and informative letter to a created designer of a kabuki play. I need to provide the director with sources and clear information about the make-up and costumes. I would like to ask you if you’re able to provide me with some information about kabuki make up or atleast provide me with addresses or email adrdress of people who can help me. I have some questions and I would really appreciate it if anyone could find the time to answer them for me. What is the the traditional kumadori make up for the character Umeomaru? Is there a certain way how to apply the make up and are there special instruments used? Where the make is up made from? From what is the compressed oil made that is used in Beniguma? (The mixing of oil with the colors used) From which products is the color red made off? How is ohaguro made? I know it is a mixture of black sugar and resin of pine cones but are there other ingredients used in ohaguro? Do you know an address where i can order some traditional kabuki make up? such as Oshiroi, kuchi beni or Mehari? I found out that Umeomaru wears a wig called; Kuruma bin. Could you tell me more about this kind of wig? I know it is made from real hair and that it is highly stylized but where and how is it created/made and is there a possibility to give me an address where I can buy or see a real kuruma bin wig? Also the wig is traditionally covered in oil, what kind of oil is that? I found out that is traditional wig dresser is called a Tokoyama, do you have an contact nr or address of a real wig dresser so i can put that in my essay for reverence? I found out that Umeomaru wears a thick padded dotera kimono with pattern of purple and white squares (doshigoshipattern). Are the patterns painted on the kimono? and if so what kind of paint do they use? Do you have a contact nr or email of a traditional costume maker of the kabuki theatre? Umeomaru also wears Fukuzon sandals; I would like to know how they are made and which products are used in the process. Do you have a contact nr. Address where i can buy those shoes? What is Sanriate? I would really like to thank you for your time and help, Emma Haverkamp