Izumo no Okuni
Izumo no Okuni (1578 – 1613) invented the Japanese art form of kabuki on the banks of the Kamogawa (Kamo River) in Kyoto.
Okuni was miko, which is a shine maiden (female shaman), at the Grand Shrine of Izumo, the oldest Shinto shrine. It has been speculated that she could have been a dancer or a prostitute while there. She was well regarded for her skills at acting, dancing, and singing, as well as her beauty. In order to raise money for the shrine, priests, miko, and others were sent about the country to solicit contribution. Okuni was sent to Kyoto.
In 1603, she formed an all-female troupe from lower class women and prostitutes that performed on the dry riverbed of the Kamogawa (Kamo River) nearby Shijo (Fourth Street) and nearby the Kitano Shrine. She also performed before the ladies of the Imperial court. Her performances gained great fame and notoriety for they were lively, bawdy, and sexy. Her performances were given the name kabuki.
In 1603, she formed an all-female troupe from lower class women and prostitutes that performed on the dry riverbed of the Kamogawa (Kamo River) nearby Shijo (Fourth Street) and nearby the Kitano Shrine. She also performed before the ladies of the Imperial court. Her performances gained great fame and notoriety for they were lively, bawdy, and sexy. Her performances were given the name kabuki.
where kabuki was performed
Okuni was famous for her performance of nembutsu odori (the nembutsu dance) in honor of Amida Buddha. While originally a creation of an advocate of Pure Land Buddhism in the 10th century, it later became a folk dance. Okuni’s version was known for its sexual appeal. She also performed humorous skits about lovers and prostitution.
She stayed in Kyoto and never returned to her shrine, but sent money back to it.
She retired in 1610 and little is known about her after that. Her exact date of death is not known and various dates have been given between the years 1610 to 1640.
Okuni’s artistry contributed to Japanese theater developments. Kabuki theater is still performed today and the Minami-za kabuki theater is located near the Kamogawa nearby her commemorative statue where she once performed. Her style of performing became known as Okuni kabuki.
Her all-female troupe continued with its kabuki performances for many years. Its popularity was so great that brothels began to offer similar performances. Eventually the rowdy behavior grew too much and Shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu forbade women from performing in kabuki. The young pretty females were replaced by young pretty males and the immoral behavior continued. Eventually old men were assigned the roles as performers.