The Day Kabuki Was Born

Today, and February 20th annually, is Kabuki Day (歌舞伎の日). Kabuki is a traditional form of Japanese theater known for its bold makeup, elaborate costumes, and highly stylized acting. It combines drama, dance, and music to tell stories ranging from historical epics to emotional domestic tales. Even for non-Japanese speakers, kabuki is easy to appreciate because of its striking visuals and powerful, expressive performance style.

The reason February 20th is "Kabuki Day", is because on this date in 1607, the performer Izumo no Okuni presented kabuki odori (かぶき踊り) at Edo Castle before Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu and various daimyō. This performance is considered the earliest formal appearance of what would eventually evolve into kabuki. Okuni was a female entertainer, credited with creating kabuki odori by developing it from yayako odori, a style of dance performed by young girls. It is said that her innovative, flamboyant style, featuring bold costumes and unconventional behavior, became the foundation of kabuki’s aesthetic.

The word “kabuki” comes from the verb kabuku, meaning “to lean” or “to deviate,” referring to people who dressed or behaved in eccentric, attention‑grabbing ways. Kabuki odori incorporated these elements, and over time, through many transformations, it became the classical performing art known today. So, Kabuki Day celebrates the birth of kabuki and honors Okuni’s role in shaping one of Japan’s most iconic cultural traditions.