I've heard that Kabuki has strict rules regarding no women being allowed to act in it. Is this true, and has this always been so? If so, why is it required to have men act as females, when it would be much simpler to have women act female parts?

by toothball
bettinafairchild

Kabuki was created by a woman, and initially featured men& women performers. Later, women were forbidden as the government felt women performers led to licentiousness. So then, boys performed the women's roles. But then there was licentiousness connected to them, and they were banned. End result: adult male performers only.

piyochama

Just so that you see it, I've fleshed out the other great answer a bit more here, and let me know if you'd like more resources on the Japanese Karyukai.