Kabuki works were written by professional dramatists called Kyogen-sakusha until Shin-kabuki (new Kabuki) began to be written by the authors and the dramatists from outside Kabuki in the Meiji period. Kabuki dramaturgy written by Kyogen-sakusha will be outlined here.

Three dramatists: Chikamatsu Monzaemon, Tsuruya Namboku 4th, and Kawatake Mokuami, whose names are known to the general public even today, will be discussed here.

There are various ways to classify the Kabuki repertoire. The classification here uses 2 representative sections.

Representative repertoire items frequently performed are explained here under 2 headings: "Introduction of work" and "Distinctive expressions."