Noh Terminology

Nashiuchi-eboshi (梨子打烏帽子)

Headgear used for warriors in military uniforms, etc. “Nashiuchi” was initially called “nayashi-uchi...

Shiki-sanban (式三番)

A kind of divine service classified in Noh but not a genuine Noh play. It is usually called “okina”....

Shitai (下居)

A movement form in Noh and Kyōgen acting: to sit with one knee drawn up and the instep of the opposi...

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...

Hatsu-omote (初面)

To put on a mask and perform Noh for the first time. Children who practice Noh from an early age tak...

Moyō-ōkuchi (模様大口)

The abbreviated name for ōkuchi hakama (hakama trousers with broad turn-ups) is ōkuchi. These are u...

Mon-ōkuchi (紋大口)

The abbreviated name for ōkuchi hakama (hakama trousers with broad turn-ups) is ōkuchi. These are us...

Tōkanmuri (唐冠)

A kind of headgear. It is a black crown used for the roles of foreign nobles and demon gods in “Tsu...

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...

Ninzū-mono (人数物)

A play with many characters and glamorous stage scenes. If the number of characters in a Noh play is...

Nohgaku Kyōkai (能楽協会)

The Nohgaku Performers’ Association. A public-interest incorporated association whose full members a...

Tachi (太刀)

A Japanese sword with a blade length of about 60 cm (2 shaku) or more, mainly used for roles of Genp...

Naginata (長刀)

A stage prop. Naginata refers to a weapon with a warped blade attached to the top of a long handle. ...

Kahōmono (果報者)

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

Orihaku (織箔)

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

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...

Noh-gakushi (能楽師)

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

Gakuya (楽屋)

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

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 ...

Monpa (もんぱ)

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

Wakanmuri (輪冠)

A type of headwear worn mainly by actors in roles of male gods. Many of these ring-shaped crowns are...

Reigen-noh (霊験能)

One type of Noh performance. These are Noh stories in which the human roles pray and recite Buddhist...

Ran-noh (乱能)

Noh has many specialized roles including the shitekata, wakikata, hayashikata and kyōgenkata, and in...

Senyōmen (専用面)

A “specialized mask,” or mask worn by a specific character. Noh masks include generalized masks such...

Heike (平家)

When Heike Monogatari, or The Tale of the Heike, is performed with a biwa, a Japanese lute, it is kn...

Binan (ビナン)

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

Sumibōshi (角帽子)

One type of headwear in Noh and kyōgen. The sumibōshi, or “angled hat,” is worn by monk roles, with ...

Kazuraobi (鬘帯)

A long belt worn by female roles tied long and thinly and extending from the top of the wig like a h...

Sanyaku (三役)

A collective name for the wakikata, kyōgenkata and hayashikata as opposed to the shitekata. There ar...

Kaikō (開口)

Chant performed at the start of wakinoh with the entrance of the waki to show that the waki is unre...

Kurotare (黒垂)

One type of wig worn by the performers, the kurotare is a tare, or type of wig, made of black hair....

Menbakomochi (面箱持)

In Okina (shiki sanba), play that prays for peace and security of the nation, the mask representing...

Kasshikikazura (喝食鬘)

One type of wig worn by the performer. The kasshikikazura is worn for roles of half-monk, half-layma...

Nagakazura (長鬘)

One style in which wigs are worn by female performers. The nagakazura is worn for the roles of angel...

Ubagami (姥髪)

One type of wig worn by the performers. Used for the roles of aging women. Almost the same shape as ...

Jōgami (尉髪)

One type of wig worn by the performers. Used for the roles of aging men. To represent white hair, it...

Shirotare (白垂)

One type of wig worn by the performers, the shirotare is a tare, or type of wig, made of white hair...

Konparu School (金春流)

One of Noh’s shitekata schools. The Konparu School has the longest history of any of the four Yamato...

Umewaka Troupe (梅若家)

One of Noh’s famous Shitekata Kanze troups. Tachibana no Moroe a, a government official in the first...

Daimyō (大名)

A character in kyōgen. While daimyō refers to someone with power, land and subjects, certain daimyō ...

Kan’ami (観阿弥)

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

Tsune-no-Ōgi (常の扇)

All of the performers in Noh and kyōgen, from the tachikata to the hayashikata, kōken and jiutai, ca...

Shirogashira (白頭)

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

Akagashira (赤頭)

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

Kurogashira (黒頭)

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

Kazura (鬘)

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

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 ...

Nuihaku (縫箔)

A short-sleeved kimono with both shishu (nui) and surihaku (haku) patterns on either satin or rinz...

Tabi (足袋)

The hakobi, or “movement” of the legs is so important in Noh that it is referred to as “the art of ...

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...

Kokata (子方)

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

Jiutaikata (地謡方)

The chorus of performers that sings the verses to certain Noh sequences, around eight jiutaikata sit...

Ai (アイ)

Ai, written with the kanji meaning “middle,” refers to the role of the kyōgenkata in Noh. Appearing ...

Waki (ワキ)

Waki, written with the kanji meaning “side,” is the supporting actor in Noh. The waki has an importa...