Kabuki

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this way today.
Early was much different from what is seen today and was comprised mainly of large ensemble dances performed by women. Most of these women acted as prostitutes off stage and finally the government banned women from the stage in an effort to protect public morals, just one in a long history of government restrictions placed on the theater. The players of the drama in its primitive stage were principally women, and with the increasing popularity of , many of the actresses began to attract undue attention from male admirers. The authorities felt that this would lead to a serious demoralization of the public and in 1629 the theatrical appearance of women was officially banned.
However, since as an art form was already accepted by the public, men immediately took over and have continued performing to the present. The ban on actresses was in effect for about 250 years. In the meantime brought to perfection the art of the onnagata. Men who play the roles of women ...

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