1.
female-role actor in kabuki, male actor playing female roles
A male actor who specializes in playing female roles in kabuki theater. Since women were banned from performing kabuki in 1629, all female roles have been played by male actors trained from childhood in feminine movement, speech, and mannerisms.
彼は有名な女形だ。
He is a famous onnagata actor.
女形の美しい所作に観客が見とれていた。
The audience was captivated by the onnagata's beautiful movements.
歌舞伎の女形は子どもの頃から女性の仕草や声色を厳しく訓練される。
Kabuki onnagata are rigorously trained in feminine gestures and voice from childhood.
READING:
Also read as おやま, though おんながた is more standard. The kanji can also be written as 女方.
USAGE:
女形 is one of the major role types (役柄) in kabuki. The counterpart is 立役 (male-role actor). Famous 女形 include members of the Bandō and Nakamura acting families.
The art of 女形 is considered one of kabuki's defining features and is highly respected as a specialized skill.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 女形の役者: onnagata actor
- 女形を演じる: to perform as an onnagata
- 人間国宝の女形: onnagata designated as a Living National Treasure