- Kabuki theater originated in the early 1600s in Japan and was originally performed by female troupes, though later transitioned to using male actors for all roles, including female roles played by onnagata specialists - During the Edo period, onnagata and wakashu occupied distinct gender roles outside of Kabuki, though onnagata drew from techniques developed by wakashu; today, onnagata are seen solely as an artform mastered by male actors - While onnagata retain their identity as men, they stylizedly portray women through techniques learned from historic onnagata like Yoshizawa Ayame, seeking to depict women through a male perspective

1. Gender Identity in Kabuki
Mayah Bosley

2. Key Questions
Were onnagata seen as another gender identity during Kabuki’s height in the middle
to late Edo period (about 1673-1841)?
Are they seen as one now in modern times?
What has changed (if anything)?

3. Background

4. What is Kabuki (歌舞伎)?
A type of dance theater created created in Kyoto around 1603 by Izumo no Okuni
Originally performed by a female troupe
Characterized by its dramatic style in acting, make-up
and costumes
Onna Kabuki, Wakashū kabuki, Yarō kabuki

5. Wakashū and Onnagata
Wakashū were essentially another gender role during the Edo period
Onnagata were actors in Yarō Kabuki that specialized in female roles

6. Initial Findings
Key Difference between Edo period Onnagata and today’s Onnagata was lifestyle
● Yoshizawa Ayame (1673-1729)
● Bandō Tamasaburō V (1950-)
Ties with Wakashū during the Edo Period

7. Research

8. Biases
Coming from a Non-binary gender identity perspective
The path I took to this topic

9. Methods
Prior Readings
● Isaka Maki
● A Written Face (1995)
Edo-Tokyo Museum and Kabukiza Gallery
Two Kabuki showings
Key Interview with Professor Kodama Ryuichi at Waseda University

10. Conclusions
Onnagata are seen as an artform
Influence from Ayame I
They still retain their identity as a man
“I act a woman with the eyes and the feelings of a man;”
Stylized way of portraying women

11. Key Learning

12. Understandings and Surprises
Onnagata aren’t just in Kabuki
Lack of discussion at some institutions
Complexities in the way Japanese Gender and Sexuality were defined

13. Comparative Learning

14. US and Japan
Drag?
Impersonators in Vaudeville
● Julian Eltinge

15. Future Research?

16. More Topics to Explore
The relationship between wakashu and Onnagata
Gender Performativity in Japan
Women in the Kabuki world

17. Japanese National
Identity

18. Thank You!