The Ukiyo

Sometime in 1608, the government headed by a Shogun, made moves to banish the actors and dancers from the centre of town. They were placed in an area close to the pleasure quarters. This move was sparked by the increasing incidents of violence and noisy activities during performances. Much of the early history is connected with the relationship that developed between the theatre and these centres of entertainment for the common man, or "floating world" (ukiyo) as they became known.

Being relegated to the dumpsite of perceived social ills carriers the actors were considered as social outcasts. Theatre managers were not spared and were tagged as kawara kijiki or riverbed beggars. The dishonour was so great that they resorted to wearing a large umbrella shaped reed hat called amigasa to hide their faces from the rest of the community. Amigasas were the same type of hats the criminals were required to wear. It was only after three centuries that the standing of actors in society was elevated to that to the same level as that of the other artists.