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

All-male casts became the norm after 1629, when women were banned from appearing in kabuki due to the prevalent prostitution of actresses and violent quarrels among patrons for the actresses' favors. This ban failed to stop the problems, since the young male (wakashū) actors were also fervently pursued by patrons.

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.

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.