Four images of Onnagata (female role specialists)

From 1652 until the 19th century, men playing onnagata were not supposed to wear wigs that covered the shaved part of their head (usually young men shaved their forelock as part of a coming-of-age ceremony). This was supposed to keep very young boys from performing in Kabuki, and also to keep the young men from being too attractive. Actors got around this by wearing a blue colored cloth over the shaved part of their head, as above.

An 18th century Onnagata and his adoring fans.

 

A scene from the Kabuki play Sekinoto

The spirit of the cherry tree (who is also the ghost of the Heian poetess Ono no Komachi), is threatened with a large axe by a rival poet, Otomo no Kuronushi. Here Tamasaburo Bandô performs the "ushiroburi mie," a difficult backbend pattern originally developed in the puppet theater and adapted by Kabuki.

The Scarlet Princess of Edo (Sakurahime). A beautiful young noblewoman role; the bright red robe and elaborate headdress indicate her status.