Origins of Kabuki
Okuni:
Kabuki began in the early 17th century, with the Buddhist Shinto princess Okuni. Okuni started performances in Kyoto on the Kamo River with the troupe she assembled “of wandering female performers who danced and acted” (Britannica). Their performances were unique because they were designed for the common people of Japan, they included lots of folk dances, a basic plot, props, and costumes. This attracted a large audience, however, there are so many stories about Okuni it is unclear what is a legend and what is fact.
Prostitution
These female actresses were also prostitutes offering their “services” to the male audience members after their performances. The Tokugawa Shogunate thought this was immoral, and could corrupt the samurai which might breakdown the structure of society. In 1629 Tokugawa Shogunate solution was to outlaw women from being actresses. So Young boys, “Wakashu” played the female parts, but soon the young boys were causing just as much corruption as the women so they too were outlawed.
Kabuki then became an all men theater and the prostitute decreased. This changed the Kabuki productions because Kabuki became less about the good looks of the actors, and the Yaro (Kabuki men) had to develop skills to hold an audience. Kabuki also changed because music and dance were temporarily banned so Kabuki was more dialogue and drama. They also had to invent makeup and styles of movement to help differentiate the female from male characters. And of course, Kabuki developed their elaborate costumes. By “1664 first long play was performed”(Britannica), and within the next 20 years scenery was introduced. Kabuki grew from Okuni's group of women performing for the common people into an elegant and refined art form that is still enjoyed today.
Kabuki then became an all men theater and the prostitute decreased. This changed the Kabuki productions because Kabuki became less about the good looks of the actors, and the Yaro (Kabuki men) had to develop skills to hold an audience. Kabuki also changed because music and dance were temporarily banned so Kabuki was more dialogue and drama. They also had to invent makeup and styles of movement to help differentiate the female from male characters. And of course, Kabuki developed their elaborate costumes. By “1664 first long play was performed”(Britannica), and within the next 20 years scenery was introduced. Kabuki grew from Okuni's group of women performing for the common people into an elegant and refined art form that is still enjoyed today.