As principal charaters they were required to artistically project to the audience, and in the days before electric lighting, the white base helped to accomplish this. When a female role is being played, the oshiroi will also extend a long way down the back because of the very low back-collar line of the kimono and a touch of pink power may be applied to give a blush to the cheeks. Eyebrows are painted on somewhat higher than actual eyebrows both male and female role, and the eyes are subtly lined in black for male and red for female role Lip rouge and black are used to produce a downward curve to the mouths of the men. The female mouth is also red and made smaller, with a slightly thicker lower lip- the ideal of feminine beauty. At one time there may have been over one hundred different types in use.
Today there are far fewer, with only ten or fifteen being commonly seen.
After the lines are painted on with a brush or the fingertip, the hard lines are smudged with the finger to soften and blend them into the white base. As long as you perfom Japanese dancing in Japan, you are fortunate enough to ask stage makeup specialists to have your makeup, so as kimono dressing, putting wigs, etc. Here in foreign countries, however, you must manage everything all by yourself. Those who are eager to challenge this kabuki style stage makeup, come and take Mary Ohno's Kabuki Academy.