onnagata; male actor in female kabuki roles
Specialist term for a male kabuki actor who specializes in female roles. The reading おやま is a traditional gikun reading used mainly in theatrical contexts.
彼は歌舞伎の女形として有名だ。
He is famous as an onnagata in kabuki.
Onnagata can also be written as 女方.
female partner; woman in a relationship
Only when written 女方
Used in contexts discussing relationships, often contrasted with 男方 (male partner). Restricted to the kanji spelling 女方.
See also: 男方
彼は女方に優しく接している。
He treats his female partner kindly.
The young actor played an onnagata role for the first time.
After long training, he became an onnagata.
In this performance, Mr. Nakamura serves as the onnagata.
Alternate kanji spelling for the kabuki role; also used for the 'female partner' sense.