NOH THEATER Vocabulary

agemaku The curtain separating the dressing area and the Noh stage ai An actor that plays the part of a villager who performs the comic role and independent skits between Noh plays. His monologue between the first and second acts gives theshite (main character) time to change costume and mask and explains the story to the audience in plainer and easier-to-understand lan- guage. atoza The back of the stage reserved for the musicians and the stage attendants dokko Drum solo accompanied by singer

Edo Period 1603-1868 During this period, Noh was established as an official state entertainment. fue Bamboo flute used in Noh gakuya Rooms backstage used for resting, eating, and some dressing and rehearsal hashigakari The bridgeway left of the main stage used as an entrance and exit and also as stage area for some scenes. hashira The four columns on the main stage used by the shite (main character) to gauge their location on stage, since it is hard to see while wearing a Noh mask. hayashi Musicians who play flute, shoulder drum, hip drum, or stick drum honbutai The center performance area on the Noh stage ikkan Flute solo itcho Drum solo accompanied by chorus

Copyright 2014 KET Noh Theater Vocabulary 1 ji Chorus made up of 6-8 actors trained in the shite role jiutaiza Area where the chorus is seated located to the right side of the stage kagami-ita The back wall of a Noh stage on which a pine tree is painted kagami-no-ma The mirror room where the shite (main character) puts on their mask kagura-den A pavilion or stage used for sacred dance kakegoe Drum calls performed by the drummers used to help adjust the timing and drive the rhythm

Kami Noh Noh plays that feature a god or celestial being

Katsura Noh Noh plays that feature women in the main role kenjo Audience seating area

Kiri Noh Noh plays that represent the forces of nature kodogu Smaller stage props (examples are swords, mallets, halberd, mirror) koken Stage manager who helps shite dress and put on mask and sits at the back of the stage during the performance to pick up dropped items, adjust costumes, and even fill in forshite if shite is unable to continue performance. kotsuzumi The shoulder drum, one of the instruments used to create the rhythms for Noh.

Muromachi Period ca. 1380-1440 Kan’ami and his son Zeami, regarded as the founders of Noh theatre, flourished during this period. okina Refers to both a mask and a dance/performance. The mask represents a supernatural old man. Okina is usually performed in early January to celebrate the New Year and to pray for peace and prosperity. otsuzumi The hip drum and lead drum in Noh plays sangen x sangen Size of the Noh stage (about 18 x 18 feet)

shogan The military dictator of Japan during the 12th-19th century

Shura Noh Noh plays that feature warriors in the main role

soke Head of a school of Noh; holds copyright on Noh plays, teaches apprentices, and is the authority on the school’s performance style

su-utai Singing a play with no actors or instrumental accompaniment

taiko A barrel-type drum that sits on a wooden stand and is hit with wooden drum sticks (bachi)

tsukurimono Large, usually temporary, stage props

tsure A subsidiary role performed by an actor trained in the shite specialty

utai The practice and art of singing Noh librettos

waka A term used to describe a Japanese poem 31 syllables in length

waki Usually the first actor to enter the stage, often in the role of a traveling priest or hermit

Zatsu Noh Noh plays that depict characters who suffer mental illness due to a specific traumatic life event