0 a type of Japanese theatre that uses only male actors, who perform in a traditional and artificial manner --
It specialized in paintings ("nikuhitsuga") and prints of kabuki actors ("yakusha-e"), sumo wrestlers, and beautiful women ("bijinga").
Both his grandfathers were kabuki actors, as were their fathers.
Its name literally means small or short song, which contrasts with the music genre found in bunraku and kabuki, otherwise known as nagauta (long song).
They were descendants of kabuki jruri, kdan storytellers, theater barkers and other forms of oral storytelling.
Perhaps because of the touchiness of authorities, kabuki companies did not attempt any further plays on the subject.
A driving force has been the desire to manifest one frequent theme of kabuki theater, that of the sudden, dramatic revelation or transformation.
Some local kabuki troupes today use female actors in onnagata roles.
It is found in hayashi and nagauta ensembles, and plays important roles in noh and kabuki theatre music.
