Noh Terminology

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 ...

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...

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...

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 ...

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...

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...

Dōgi (胴着)

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

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...

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...

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 ...

Emonzuke (衣紋づけ)

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

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...

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...

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...

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...

Kitsuke (着付)

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

Hakushiki (白式 )

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

Kariginu (狩衣)

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

Noshime (熨斗目)

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

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...

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...