Okuni

Okuni (出雲の阿国 Izumo no Okuni^?, 1572? - ?) was the originator of kabuki theater. She was believed to be a miko at the Grand Shrine of Izumo^[1] who began performing this new style of dancing, singing, and acting in the dry riverbeds of Kyoto. In addition to her founding of kabuki, Okuni contributed to Japanese theatre in general. She is said to have introduced the forerunner of the hanamichi (path of flowers), a runway leading from the rear of the theatre and crossing between the audience to the stage. This has been incorporated in several Japanese theatre arts beyond that of kabuki.