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.

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.