It refers to a female role in Kabuki or an actor who performs a female character. Sometimes it is called “Oyama”. It is said that male actors started to perform female roles, because female actors were no longer able to perform on stage after Onna-Kabuki was banned.
The basics of Onnagata acting was established by Yoshizawa Ayame 1st and others during the Genroku period. Ayame organized instructions for Onnagata in her commentary called “Ayamegusa”.
Some Onnagata actors perform Tachiyaku (male roles), but there are also actors called “Maonnagata” who only act female characters.
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【芳沢あやめ[初代]】
【YOSHIZAWAAYAME】
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