Final answer:
Kabuki was the most popular form of Japanese theatre in the 17th century, featuring stylized dance-drama, male actors in all roles, and a strong cultural tradition in Japan.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most popular form of Japanese theatre throughout the 17th century was kabuki. Kabuki is a highly stylized form of performance that combines dance and drama and originated in Kyoto in the early 17th Century. Originally performed by women, who were later banned from performing, it evolved into yarÅ-kabuki with male actors playing all roles, including those of females. The popularity of kabuki waxed and waned over the centuries, facing bans and cultural shifts, but it remained a significant cultural tradition in Japan and gained popularity abroad as well.
Characteristic elements of kabuki theatre include the intricate choreography, lavish costumes, and dramatic makeup. Stages featured innovations like trapdoors and rotating platforms to enhance the theatrics. Kabuki plays are traditionally divided into three main categories: Jidaimono (historical plays), Sewamono (domestic plays), and Shosagoto (dance pieces). The interplay between kabuki and the visual arts was also significant, especially with the ukiyo-e woodblock prints, which depicted scenes and actors from kabuki performances.
The style and substance of kabuki have made it a lasting symbol of Japanese culture and artistic expression, highlighting it as a popular form of entertainment and reflecting Japan's rich cultural heritage.