1. Stage: The stage of a kabuki theater is typically large, with a wide playing area extending beyond the proscenium arch. It is divided into three main sections: the main stage (honbutai), the bridge stage (hanamichi), and the revolving stage (mawaributai).
2. Hanamichi (Flower Path): The hanamichi is a long, elevated runway that extends from the stage into the audience. It serves as a dynamic performance area where actors make grand entrances, exits, and perform dramatic sequences.
3. Mawarebutai (Revolving Stage): The mawarebutai is a unique feature of kabuki theaters. It is a circular platform that rotates, allowing for quick scene changes and creating a sense of movement and transformation during performances.
4. Audience Seating: The audience seating in a kabuki theater is arranged in traditional Japanese style. There are multiple levels of seating, including box seating (sajiki) and tiered seating (masu seki). The seating is designed to provide good visibility of the stage from all angles.
5. Proscenium Arch (Keshozuke): The proscenium arch, or keshozuke, frames the stage and separates it from the audience. It is often elaborately decorated with carvings, paintings, and symbolic motifs related to kabuki performances.
6. Backdrops and Curtains: Kabuki theaters use various types of backdrops and curtains to create different settings for the plays. These include painted scenic backdrops (doncho), large curtains (agemaku), and smaller curtains (hikimaku).
7. Lighting: Kabuki performances often incorporate intricate lighting effects to create dramatic atmospheres. Traditional lighting techniques, such as candlelight and oil lamps, were historically used, but modern theaters now employ electric lighting.
8. Sound Effects: Traditional kabuki performances make use of a range of sound effects, such as wooden clappers (hyoshigi), drums (taiko), hand bells (tsurigane), and singing (nagauta). These sounds contribute to the overall impact and atmosphere of the performances.
Remember that kabuki theaters can vary in size, design, and specific features, but the above elements are commonly found in traditional Japanese kabuki theaters.