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What roles do onnagata actors play in Kabuki theatre?

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bugaku performance — Japanese performing arts *Bugaku*, a court dance adapted to Japanese tastes from the dance and music of 8th-century China and Korea.

In Kabuki theatre, onnagata are specialized male actors who perform female roles.1

The emergence of the onnagata occurred after the Japanese government banned women from the stage in 1629 and subsequently suppressed performances by young boys in 1652, leading to an all-male theatrical tradition that persists today. These actors are highly skilled, often employing a restrained, flowing style of movement that contrasts with the exaggerated posturing of male characters.1

Throughout history, onnagata have been among the most popular performers in Kabuki, with playwrights often crafting roles specifically to showcase their talents. Their performance is a central element of the highly stylized and formalized nature of Kabuki, where acting is frequently indistinguishable from dance.12