The statue of Izumo-no-Okuni.
She’s the establisher of Kabuki Dance, which is considered 1 of the most important theatrical performances in Japan’s culture.
Her statue is at Shijo-Ohashi Bridge along River Kamo in the center of Kyoto City, where she is said to have performed the dance in the end of 16th century to early 17th century.
At the peak, 7 kabuki theatres were open in this neighborhood, while only 1 left there in the present time, which is Minamiza Theatre.
It was mainly played by women in the early years, but Tokugawa Shogunate, a samurai government, prohibited women to play it in 1629. Ever since, all the roles including female ones have been played by males in Kabuki theatres.
Photo and article by Shintaro Takagi
