A ''zamoto'' (座元) is a manager of a

kabuki is a classical form of Theatre of Japan, Japanese theatre, mixing dramatic performance with Japanese traditional dance, traditional dance. Kabuki theatre is known for its heavily stylised performances, its glamorous, highly decorated costumes ...

theatre. Historically, the zamoto owned the

theatre Theatre or theater is a collaborative form of performing art that uses live performers, usually actors to present experiences of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place, often a Stage (theatre), stage. The performe ...

and was responsible for obtaining performance rights from the ''

shōgun , officially , was the title of the military rulers of Japan during most of the period spanning from 1185 to 1868. Nominally appointed by the Emperor, shoguns were usually the de facto rulers of the country, except during parts of the Kamak ...

''.''Japan Quarterly'', 1969, p. 302 (Asahi Shinbunsha) Typically the zamoto was often the latest son of the hereditary owners, such as at the Nakamura-za, Morita-za and Ichimura-za.

References

Kabuki {{theatre-stub