: traditional Japanese popular drama performed with highly stylized singing and dancing.

Important characteristics of Kabuki theatre include its particular music, costumes, stage devices and props as well as specific plays, language and acting styles, such as the mie, in which the actor holds a characteristic pose to establish his character.

Kimono is mainly used as a costume for Kabuki, a performing art that grew up in the Edo period. In addition to kimonos such as yukata and hanten that are worn even today, as samurai costumes, a set of hakama and jacket called kamishimo, sometimes reminiscent of a fantasy existence.

These masks are used to exaggerate the expressions and emotions of the actors during their performance, making. the audience identifies their characters. The masks were also used to conceal the actors' identities, as Kabuki actors were often of low social status and not considered suitable for public appearances.