Izumo no Okuni (出雲 阿国, born c. 1578; died c. 1613) was a Japanese entertainer and shrine maiden who is believed to have invented the theatrical art form of kabuki.

Born c. 1578,[1] Okuni grew up in the vicinity of the Izumo shrine, where her father, Nakamura Sanemon, worked as a blacksmith, and where several other family members served.

[3] Other popular themes for Okuni's acts included humorous skits about lover's trysts at various public establishments and meetings between men and prostitutes.

[4] Gathering up the female outcasts and misfits of the region, particularly those involved in prostitution,[3] Okuni gave them direction, teaching them acting, dancing and singing skills in order to form her troupe.

Several theories exist as to the etymology of the word kabuki, one being that it is derived from those who, oddly dressed and swaggering on the street, had been dubbed kabukimono (from kabuku, 'to lean in a certain direction', and mono, 'people').

The earliest performances of kabuki were dancing and song with no significant plot, often disdained as overly sexual and cacophonous, but equally lauded as colourful and beautiful.

This new style of exclusively female troupes became known by the alternative names of shibai and onnakabuki,[8] (from onna, the Japanese word for 'woman' or 'girl') and Okuni kabuki.

In 1629, due to outcry for moral reform and concern about fights breaking out between men trying to win the attention of the actresses, shōgun Tokugawa Iemitsu forbade women from performing in kabuki.