Kabuki (??? kabuki?) is a classical Japanese dance-drama. Kabuki theatre is known for the stylization of its drama and for the elaborate make-up worn by some of its performers.

The individual kanji characters; from left to right; mean sing (?); dance (?); and skill (?). Kabuki is therefore sometimes translated as the art of singing and dancing'. These are; however; ateji characters which do not reflect actual etymology. The kanji of 'skill' generally refers to a performer in kabuki theatre. Since the word kabuki is believed to derive from the verb kabuku; meaning 'to be out of the ordinary'; kabuki can be interpreted as 'avant-garde' theatre.