Kabuki

Kabuki (歌舞伎), meaning song or dance, istraditional formJapanese theatre. It was founded1603 by Okuni, an attendant from Izumo Shrine, who introduced her styledance indry river bedsKyoto;style was instantly popular. Initially kabuki was ensemble dancing performed by women. Whengovernment banned women fromstageprotect public morals1629, then banned young men fromstage1652, Kabuki developed intosophisticated, highly stylizedall-male form called yaro kabuki. The men who playroleswomenreferredas onnagata. The other two major stylesoregata (Masculine)wagata (Comical). Its development was pioneered by Ichikawa Danjuro (1660-1704)EdoSakata Tojuro (1647-1709) inKyoto-Osaka area.

Playsdivided into three categories: jidai-mono (historical), sewa-mono (domestic),shosagoto (dance pieces).

Important characteristicsKabuki theater includemie,whichactor holdspicturesque poseestablish his character, andhanamichi, an entry path on whichactor becomescharacter.