Second Grade Kabuki Masks
This lesson kicks off the beginning of my Japanese art unit for second grade (see the next lesson in this unit here). We start by asking each other what we know about Japan, if anything. Then, after showing them where Japan is on a map, we compare and contrast how they celebrate holidays versus how we celebrate them here. We talk a bit about their food (and our favorites) and finally about their art. The first genre of Japanese art we learn about is theatre.
After learning about what theatre is, we start discussing the Kabuki style of theatre: this refers to the white-faced style of makeup or mask, and usually has red and black accents. This is where I introduce an important principle of art: balance.
When we talk about balance, we talk about symmetry–the makeup is the same on both sides of the face. After looking through our examples, the students are ready to draw! Once their sketches are done, we finish tracing with red and black markers. Finally, students cut red and black construction paper and glue the pieces to their masks to make horns, ears, noses, or hair. They have so much fun with it and the masks turn out amazing!
