Throughout the history of civilization, there have been many different types of theater. There is Greek theater and Elizabethan theatre. Some are musicals, some are comedies, and some are tragedies. Some types use realistic techniques while others are more cutting edge. But one type stands out among all the others, and that is Kabuki theater. This classical Japanese style of dance and drama is not just theatre. It is a beautiful art form, carefully crafted over many centuries. Kabuki theater has a very long and rich history. It all began in the 1600s, around the same time the American colonies were founded. A Japanese shrine maiden, Okuni, is credited with the creation of Kabuki theater. In its earliest form, Kabuki consisted of large ensemble dances performed by women. Many of these women were prostitutes off stage. Because of the fame and fan base that these prostitutes gained from Kabuki, the government in this period banned women from performing on stage. This was done in an attempt to protect the public's morality from what was seen as a form of obscene entertainment (Kabuki History, 1996). After women, the protagonists of Kabuki programs, were banned from performing on stage, men stepped in to continue Kabuki productions. This change in characters brought about a very important change in Kabuki. The focus was no longer on beauty and dance. What became important was the skill of the actors and the drama they portrayed. This put Kabuki on the path to becoming a dramatic art form, rather than a dance performance featuring beautiful women. At the same time, a renaissance was occurring in Japan that promoted and encouraged arts and culture. This is known as the Genroku period. In the end... middle of the paper... bending of the beliefs of Japanese society. In Kabuki the plot is very different from what is observed in Western theatre. There may be one or two plot elements, but they lack the unifying element seen in Western stage productions. In Kabuki, the various episodes of a performance lead to a final, dramatic climax. Kabuki is a highly stylized type of theatre, which places great importance on dance and movement. Sometimes, acting is indistinguishable from dancing because it is so stylised. The art of Kabuki is something very beautiful. Actors take great pride in their work and take many years to develop their techniques. A Kabuki production involves great attention to detail and devotion to craftsmanship. Kabuki is not a form of theater, but is the embodiment of Japan's history, told by the people, rather than the rulers..