Noh Terminology

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K (Index List)

Kachishura-mono (勝修羅物)

Among the nan or shura-mono (niban-me-mono) performances in the Goban Date style, “shin-nan-nyo-kyō-...

Kaeai (替間)

Aikyōgen refers to when kyōgenkata appear in Noh plays, and when a special performance that differs ...

Kagami Ita (鏡板)

The lining board of the front of the Noh stage, with a large, old pine tree (oimatsu) painted on it....

Kagami No Ma (鏡の間)

The name for the room past the agemaku. In the room is placed a large mirror which the performers us...

Kakeri (カケリ)

Kakeri, or “anguish dance,” refers to the movement indicating the deranged state of warriors that ha...

Kakko (羯鼓)

A kind of dance performed by entertainer characters to display their abilities. They carry small tab...

Kamigakari (上掛リ)

Among the five shitekata schools, the Kanze and Hōshō schools, which share the same artistic roots, ...

Kanehiki (鐘引)

The bell, or kane, that is hung from center stage in Noh’s Dojōji is the largest prop in Noh and is...

Kanjin noh (勧進能)

Performances held to raise subscriptions for the construction of shrines or temples. As times change...

Kan’ami (観阿弥)

Kan’ami lived from 1333to 1384and was a performer during the Nanboku-chō period. His given name was ...

Kan’nami (観阿弥)

See "Kan’ami"...

Karaori (唐織)

A gorgeous lined garment representative of Noh costumes, the karaori is a short-sleeved kimono worn ...

Kariginu (狩衣)

A long-sleeved garment worn by male characters. There are lined and unlined kariginu, with lined kar...

Katamaku (片幕)

Katamaku refers to when the curtain is opened to the right (the underside of the hashigakari) of th...

Katariai (語リ間)

Aikyōgen refers to when kyōgenkata appear in Noh plays, and the portion of dialogue that connects th...

Katsura Mono/Kazura Mono (鬘物)

In the official five-play style of performance of the Edo era, shin nan nyo kyō ki (deity, man, woma...

Kazura (鬘)

The wigs worn by the performers. There are three types of wigs used in Noh and kyōgen, the kashira, ...

Kensho/Kenjo (見所)

The audience seating at a Noh stage or Noh theatre. Seating is usually separated into the “front sea...

Kimari Moyo (極リ模様)

See "Kimari Moyō" ...

Kimari Moyō (極リ模様)

Using the standard color and design in costumes and fans when performing Noh or kyōgen. One example ...

Kiri Noh (切能)

In the official five-play style of performance of theEdo era, shin nan nyo kyō ki (deity, man, woman...

Kitsuke (着付)

A type of kosode, or short-sleeved kimono, with smaller cuffs. When the costume is put on, a padded ...

Kizahashi (階)

The kizahashi are the steps located in the front of the main stage, also called the shirasu-bashigo,...

Kogaki (小書)

Kogaki or “small writing” indicates a special type of Noh or kyōgen performance. The name refers to ...

Kokata (子方)

Roles played by children in Noh that include the entrance of the shitekata. There are two types of k...

Koken (後見)

See "Kōken"...

Komai (小舞)

One of the dances of the kyōgenkata, many of the komai, or “small dances,” are relatively short. The...

Koshimaki (腰巻)

One way of wearing a Noh costume. Koshimaki, where the costume is wrapped around the waist, is often...

Kotoba (コトバ)

Kotoba, or “words,” refers to parts of vocals that include words only and no notes. In chant books, ...

Kudoki (クドキ)

Kudoki refers to vocals in Noh that are full of lamenting and sorrow sung by the shite, shitetsure a...

Kumorasu (クモラス)

Angling the mask slightly downward is known as kumorasu, or “to make a sad face,” and angling the ma...

Kuri (クリ)

Noh chants are made up of numerous shōdan. Kuri is one name for shōdan. Kuri act as the introductory...

Kurogashira (黒頭)

One type of kazura, or wig, worn by the performers. Traditionally made of yak hair. The bangs are wo...

Kuruizasa (狂い笹)

Bamboo grass held in the hands to symbolized a crazes, confused characters. Kuruizasa is used for th...

Kuse (クセ)

A single Noh play is made up of a combination of numerous shōdan, or “modules,” and kuse is one name...

Kusemai (曲舞)

One of the medieval arts prevalent from the Nanboku-chō era to the Muromachi era, kusemai is also re...

Kutsurogu (くつろぐ)

Point at which the performers stop performing momentarily and face the audience. The performers may ...

Kyogenkata (狂言方)

See "Kyōgenkata"...

Kyu no mai (急之舞)

See "Kyū no mai"...

Kyōgenkata (狂言方)

In addition to performing and acting as the kōken and jiutai in kyōgen, the kyōgenkata acts as the a...

Kyū no mai (急之舞)

The fastest type of Noh dance. There are two types of Kyū no mai, performed with either the fue, kot...

Kōken (後見)

The role that overseas the performance in Noh and kyōgen. A proper kōken has an equivalent or higher...