Entertainment Around the World: Kabuki Theater
Spotlight English
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The History of Kabuki Theater
Okuni retired from performing in 1610. She was like a film star but her kind of Kabuki would not last. Even after it was popular, many Kabuki actors were still sex workers. In 1629, the Japanese government banned women from performing in Kabuki. Instead, men took on Okuni's style and began writing full plays. These plays became very popular. They were funny, bright and often sexual. Soon, people all over Japan were performing Kabuki. Actors wear bright clothing and they would paint their faces with bright colors. The clothing and face paint would show what kind of character they were playing.
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