Perhaps the most popular of W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan’s comic opera, The Mikado premiered in London and in New York in 1885 and has been in continuous performance ever since. Set in the fictional town of Titipu and featuring characters with names such as Yum-Yum, Nanki-Poo, and Peep-Bo, the opera presents a comically ridiculous view of Japan that made yellowface costumes wildly popular.
These pictures of partygoers in Chinese and Japanese costumes from St. Paul in 1915 (from the Minnesota Historical Society) suggests that yellowface was not just part of a night at the theater or opera, but integral to other events as well.
Taken from Minnesota History Center. 
Taken from Minnesota History Center.
