Some things about Kabuki

Alan P. Scott - Fictions - Kabuki World

on the hanamichi

An onnagata is a "male actor playing a female role exemplifying ideal, ultimate womanhood." Although a woman, Izumo no Okuni, originated the kabuki form in 1603, male actors have played all roles since a ban was placed on female performers (1629 C.E.) and boys (1652 C.E.) by the Tokugawa Shogunate.

SEE these quick WWW references:

: "Kabuki for Everyone"
: "Kabuki"
: "Kabuki: Traditional Theatrical Arts"

Other sources I used for the information on this page:

"Portrait of an Onnagata" is a video available at various universities under the Library of Congress catalog number PN2924.5.K3 P67 1992
Dr. Patrick Finelli, University of South Florida, Tampa placed his lecture notes for 3100 Theatre History on the WWW.

This file last updated (URLs all verified) 7/25/1997.

Contact me:

ascott@pacifier.com