Noh Terminology

Oni-zukin (鬼頭巾)

A kind of costume used for kyōgen plays. A hood worn for the role of an ogre. The part wrapping the ...

Hirosode (広袖)

An outer garment (jacket) with wide cuffs. It is called hirosode in line with its shape (hiro means ...

Chōhan-zukin (長範頭巾)

A type of Noh costume (headgear), used for the master thief Kumasaka Chōhan, who appears in the Noh ...

Kosode (小袖)

A kind of kimono with small cuffs, similar to the shape of modern ones. The name comes from the shap...

Enbi-zukin (燕尾頭巾)

A kind of costume used for kyōgen plays. A hood worn for a role different from the average person, s...

Tsuyuhimo (露紐)

Cords under the sleeves of a wide-sleeved costume. There is a cord to tie the sleeve in each cuff of...

Torimino (鳥蓑)

A type of costume: an outer layer that covers the body for waterproofing, keeping out snow and cold....

Hamino (羽蓑)

A type of costume: an outer layer that covers the body for waterproofing, keeping out snow and cold....

Shiro-aya (白綾)

Type of Noh costume. A white kosode made of twill fabric with patterns such as koaoi (mallow) and hi...

Shiro-neri (白練)

Type of Noh costume. A kosode (a type of kimono) made of a dignified fabric (shiro-neri) using refin...

Ono (斧)

Stage prop used in Noh and Kyōgen. Ono (an axe) is a type of blade used to cut and split wood. In th...

Sarugaku-dangi (申楽談儀)

An esoteric book of Noh. With the formal title “Zeshi rokuju igo Sarugaku dangi”, it was written by ...

Mino (蓑)

A type of costume. An outer covering that covers the body for waterproofing, preventing snow and col...

Hakama-kyōgen (袴狂言)

A Kyōgen performance in which the performer uses no masks or costumes, but instead wears a montsuki...

Haridatō (針畳)

A sewing set used for costumes. It is also called “Itohari” because it contains thread (ito) and nee...

Mushiboshi (虫干し)

This is the process of taking out masks, costumes, props, and esoteric books from the storehouse an...

Motoyui (元結)

A thin cord used to tie up the roots of the hair in a bun. It is made by twisting Japanese paper ti...

Kesa (袈裟)

A type of costume, a patched-cotton robe worn by Buddhist monks over their vestments. In Noh, a type...

Koshimino (腰蓑)

A type of costume, a kilt of straw. It is used for roles of fishermen, hunters, people who draw seaw...

Nochi-shite (後シテ)

For the characters to change masks, costumes, etc., they often enter the curtain or go behind the pi...

Mae-shite (前シテ)

For the characters to change masks, costumes, etc., they often enter the curtain or go behind the pi...

Nishijin Ori (西陣織)

A high-class fabric woven in Nishijin, in the west of Kamigyō Ward, Kyoto. The luxurious fabrics us...

Tsuku (ツク)

The verb “tsuku” is used to indicate overlapping. Noh performers hate overlapping in anything, incl...

Kinran (金襴)

A kind of figured textile (mon-orimono). Kinran refers to gorgeous and splendid fabrics with pattern...

Kahōmono (果報者)

One of the roles in kyōgen plays. Kahōmono refers to rich and lucky men, often seen as leading chara...

Tatō-gami (畳紙)

A folding paper-case for keeping costumes. Made of thick Japanese paper pasted together into larger ...

Dan-noshime (段熨斗目)

A type of costume. It is a short-sleeved kimono with horizontal stripes worn by a man in a lower pla...

Munahaku (胸箔)

Surihaku is a short-sleeved kimono decorated with gold leaf, worn as the innermost layer for female ...

Bangumi (番組)

A series of plays for a performance (or the order of the plays), or a small book or sheet of paper g...

Shimai-ōgi (仕舞扇)

From actors, musicians and assistants to reciters, every Noh performer holds a fan. Actors in costum...

Kanetsuri-kōken (鐘吊後見)

A part in the Noh play "Dōjōji" that involves carrying the fake bell to the stage, hanging it with ...

Kanetsuri (鐘吊)

A part in the Noh play "Dōjōji" that involves carrying the fake bell to the stage, hanging it with ...

Noh-gakushi (能楽師)

Performers involved in the art of Noh (Noh and kyōgen) as their profession. Responsibility for thei...

Kodōgu (小道具)

Kodōgu refers to properties used on stage. It does not include masks, kahatsu (wigs) or costumes. Pr...

Ito-hari (糸針)

A sewing set used for costumes. When an actor wears a costume, the costume is sewn in all the right ...

Gakuya (楽屋)

Rooms behind the Noh stage where the performers to carry out their preparations. Gakuya usually cons...

Tsuyu (露)

Floor-length cords under the sleeves of a wide-sleeved costume. A long cord (tsuyu-himo) is put thro...

Kyōgen-bakama (狂言袴)

A type of costume used for kyōgen plays. It consists of a pair of hakama trousers made of linen and ...

Kataginu (肩衣)

A sleeveless robe with pointed shoulders. As a stage costume, it is frequently used for kyōgen plays...

Dōgi (胴着)

A padded underwear worn between costumes and cotton undershirts. Most dōgi are lined kimono made of ...

Monpa (もんぱ)

A type of costume used in kyōgen, Monpa are stuffed animal suits for animal roles. The costume cover...

Monogise (物着せ)

The act of placing the costume on the performer. Kitsuke generally means simply means to put on clot...

Mogidō (モギドウ／裳着胴)

Mogidō is a style of costume in which only a kitsuke (the kimono with narrow cuffs worn as the botto...

Waseda University The Tsubouchi Memorial Theatre Museum (早稲田大学演劇博物館)

Houses a world-class collection of images and materials on theatre. It is also known by its nickname...

Binan (ビナン)

A costume often worn by kyōgen actresses. A white cloth made of silk or hemp is wrapped around the ...

Nyotai (女体)

One type of kogaki in Noh, nyotai, or “female form,” refers to when the shite performs in the appea...

Kurokawa Noh (黒川能)

The Noh prevalent during the Muromachi era in Kurokawa in the city of Tsuruoka in Yamagata prefectur...

Kae (替エ)

Kae, or “change,” indicates a change in the normal performance style when multiple Noh or kyōgen pla...

Shōzoku (装束)

The costumes in Noh and kyōgen. Includes the kimono worn as the very bottom layer of the costume (a ...

Kurai (位)

Kurai is a term that relates to the overall performance and production of Noh and kyōgen. It is used...

Tsukurimono (作り物)

The props placed on the stage in Noh and kyōgen. As they are built individually for each performance...

Maibayash (舞囃子)

One style of Noh performance danced in montsuki or hakama (or occasionally kamishimo) in which the m...

Tobikaeri (飛ビ返リ)

One of the forms in Noh and kyōgen. After spinning and raising the body up rapidly, one knee is pla...

Kyōgentabi (狂言足袋)

The socks worn by kyōgenkata when putting on their costumes. They are made of yellow died cotton, an...

Sagimidare (鷺乱)

One type of dance in Noh. Sagi, or “heron” is danced by a heron in front of the emperor on the orde...

Midare (乱)

One type of dance in Noh. Noh’s shojōmidare or midare is danced by a shite or shojō. The typical sh...

Shojōmidare (猩々乱)

One type of dance in Noh. Noh’s shojōmidare (or midare) is danced by a shite or shojō. The typical ...

Nohriki (能力)

A monk of low status at a temple that performs manual labor. Or, a monk of a temple. They appear as ...

Emonzuke (衣紋づけ)

One way of wearing a costume. Rounded collars called agekubi or marueri are seen in costumes such as...

Shiboriage (絞上げ)

One way of wearing a costume. Sleeves such as suō or hitatare are tucked up, and the kimono is close...

Kataage (肩上げ)

One way of wearing a costume. Both shoulders of a mizugoromo or happi are folded into the neck area,...

Katanugi (肩脱ぎ)

One way of wearing a costume. One sleeve of the kimono is unworn. Katanugi are used in particular fo...

Nugisage (脱下げ)

One way of wearing a costume. The right sleeve of a kaori worn in the ubazuke style is left to drape...

Ubazuke (姥着け)

One way of wearing a costume. A kimono such as the kaori is worn in the kinagashi style and the both...

Tsubo-ori (壺折)

One way of wearing a costume. The bottom of a kimono such as the kaori is raised to the knees, and b...

Koshimaki (腰巻)

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

Nochiba (後場)

In Noh and kyōgen, the performers will often step behind the curtain or set to change masks or costu...

Maeba (前場)

In Noh and kyōgen, the performers will often step behind the curtain or set to change masks or costu...

Aimai (相舞)

Aimai refers to when two or more dancers dance simultaneously on the same stage. Aimai is also refer...

Kimari Moyō (極リ模様)

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

Ironashi (色無し)

In Noh and kyōgen, the word iro, or “colour,” simply refers to the colour red. For example costumes ...

Iroiri (色入り)

In Noh and kyōgen, the word iro, or “colour,” simply refers to the colour red. For example costumes ...

Sashinuki (指貫)

A type of kuribakama worn by characters of the highest status, the sashinuki is often given a sack-l...

Ōkuchi (大口)

Abbreviation for ōkuchibakama, ōkuchi are characterized by extremely thick uneori, a corduroy-like f...

Nakairi (中入り)

Nakairi refers to when the performers step behind the curtain or set between the first and second ha...

Mōshiawase (申し合わせ)

Point in the performance at which the rhythm is kept with only the ōgi (hari-ōgi), no ōtsuzumi or o...

Obi (帯 )

A long, thin cloth belt worn around the waist when putting on a costume. Koshi-obi make up the majo...

Hakama (袴)

A Noh and kyōgen costume put on after the kitsuke by tying the front and rear strings to the waist....

Uwagi (上着)

The costume worn above the kitsuke. In addition to long-sleeved uwagi such as the kariginu, happi, c...

Utsushi (写し)

A copy of an excellent mask or costume that has been passed down from ancient times. The creation o...

Kitsuke (着付)

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

Hakama-noh (袴能)

Hakama-noh refers to when the actor performs in a montsuki-hakama without a mask or costume. For the...

Hakushiki (白式 )

In Nohgaku, haku, or “white” objects are treated with the utmost reverence. To elevate the standing ...

Eboshi (烏帽子)

A type of head covering. In addition to eboshi worn to indicate specific roles, such as okina-eboshi...

Happi (法被)

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

Kariginu (狩衣)

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

Hitatare (直垂)

A long-sleeved lined garment with matching top and bottom worn by the role of a samurai. The hitatar...

Noshime (熨斗目)

A type of lined kosode, or short-sleeved kimono, worn as the innermost layer of the costumes of male...

Surihaku (摺箔)

A type of lined kosode, or short-sleeved kimono, worn as the innermost layer of the costume of a fem...

Atsuita (厚板)

A type of lined kosode, or short-sleeved kimono, mainly worn as the innermost layer of a male charac...

Karaori (唐織)

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

Komai (小舞)

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

Honmaku (本幕)

Honmaku, or “full curtain,” refers to when the curtain is raised completely with two poles from the ...

Monogi (物着)

Monogi is when the performers change costume on stage. This may be a changing of a portion of the co...

Kogaki (小書)

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

Shimai (仕舞)

A type of performance accentuating the movement of the shite danced in the crest-adorned kimono know...

Kōken (後見)

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