Kabuki

Japanese theatre · dramatic performance · traditional arts

Stunning makeup art. Kabuki performers wear an elaborate makeup style called kumadori, with bold colors and thick lines painted on their faces to show their character's personality. Red might mean a brave hero, while blue could show a villain.

Glittering costumes. Actors wear incredibly fancy, heavily decorated kimono robes with intricate patterns and shimmering fabrics that cost a fortune. The costumes are so elaborate that costume changes can be a major part of the performance itself.

Dramatic exaggeration. Everything in Kabuki is over the top, from the acting to the movements to the voices. Performers use huge gestures and stylized poses to tell stories in a way that makes every emotion feel bigger and more exciting.

Dance and movement. Kabuki blends traditional Japanese dance with theatrical acting, so performers are skilled dancers as well as actors. The graceful, coordinated movements are practiced for years to perfect.

Male performers only. Historically, all Kabuki roles were performed by men, even female characters. This unique tradition has been part of Kabuki for hundreds of years.