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

Kabuki (歌舞伎, かぶき) is a classical form of Japanese theatre, mixing dramatic performance with traditional dance. Kabuki theatre is known for its heavily stylised performances, its glamorous, highly decorated costumes, and for the elaborate kumadori make-up worn by some of its performers.

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.

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.