When it comes to performance art, it’s hard to believe how Japan has taken the concept further to create something that is incredibly entertaining on television. Kasou Taishou (Kinchan and Katori Shingo’s All Japan Costume Grand Prix) is a Japanese game show which encompasses a variety of solo artists and amateur groups to perform short skits live on stage. The show usually revolves around the idea of creating an illustion or faking cinematic special effects. It’s fun to view these performances; where at some points it leaves you without any clues how they could possibly put it together by using real people.
Based from Wikipedia, the technique is called stagehands (Kuroko) which serves the purpose as “running crew” and is often use in a traditional Kabuki theatre. They dress in black and move props, sets, or aiding in scene changes on stage.
Here are a few clips from the show that i have gathered. Please check them out and enjoy the show.
Matrix Ping Pong
Matrix Karate
Shaolin Soccer
Samurai Shodown
Food Fight
Battle Sequence
Music Video
Reflection
All Messed Up
Chair Massage
Melody
May 5th, 2009 at 9:00 am
hey man! those were awesome! i’ve only seen the ping pong one before.
this is an amazing use of props. i thought it was a korean show back in the day. good find.
May 6th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
They are pretty neat right? It’s simple when you know how it’s done, however it still required good techniques though. The ping pong one is pretty famous and that’s pretty much how i found out about this TV show. The “Chair Massage” one made me laugh so bad.