Noh Terminology

Daishō-mae (大小前)

One of the names that indicates a position on the stage. When the main stage of 5.4 meters (3 kens) ...

Kumihimo (組紐)

A cord in which bundles of threads are crossed diagonally to form a structure. Most of the cords use...

Nohgaku (能楽)

Nohgaku refers to noh and kyōgen. It may also include Shiki-sanban (the three rituals, or Okina). Un...

Hinoki (桧)

A coniferous tree belonging to the genus cypress in the cypress family. There are two types of cypre...

Hanjōdai (半畳台)

A piece of scenery that is carried in and set on the stage. It is a wooden platform, half the size o...

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 ...

Nohgakudo (能楽堂)

A theatre dedicated to Noh and kyōgen performances. It consists of the stage, the auditorium and anc...

Gakuya (楽屋)

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

Shirasu (白州／白洲)

Shirasu is the area covered with white pebbles between the Noh stage and the auditorium. Until the E...

Kinin-guchi (貴人口)

A single door about 1.3 meter wide and 1.8 meter high. It is located at the left of the stage behind...

Kiso-hinoki (木曽檜)

The wood of hinoki (Japanese cypress, or Chamaecyparis obtusa) grown in the Kiso area of southwest N...

Kyōtokanzekaikan (京都観世会館)

Opened in the Sakyōku ward of Kyoto in 1958, this Nohgaku theatre is the home of the Kanze School of...

Monomimado (物見窓)

The monomimado or “looking window” looks out from the kagami no ma to the stage. The window frame is...

Yarai Noh Theater (矢来能楽堂)

Rebuilt and reopened in September 1952, theYarai Noh Theater is owned by the Kanze Kyūkōkai. The the...

Kiridoguchi (切戸口)

The kiridoguchi is a small door to the right when facing the stage in the corner of the waki no kaga...

Okinakazari (翁飾り)

Altar placed by the mirror near the curtain in performances of shikisanban (okina). While it differs...

Ichijōdai (一畳台)

One type of prop that is brought out and left on stage. The platform, or dai, is made of wood and is...

Tsukurimono (作り物)

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

Nakashōmen (中正面)

Among the seats at a Noh stage or Noh theatre, the seats directly facing the stage are known as the ...

Honbutai (本舞台)

The center of the performance on a Noh stage. The honbutai, or “main stage,” faces the kensho (seati...

The Gekkeiden Noh Stage (月桂殿能舞台)

Located in the Shuzenji in Izu, Shizuoka, the Gekkeiden Noh stage was built in 1675 (Enpō 3) in the ...

Yokohama Noh Theatre (横浜能楽堂)

A city-funded Noh Theatre that opened in Momijigaoka, Nishi-ku, Yokohama in June 1996. In addition t...

Nagoya Noh Theatre (名古屋能楽堂)

A city-funded Noh theatre that opened in Nagoya in Aichi Prefecture in front of the main entrance of...

National Noh Theatre (国立能楽堂)

The National Noh Theatre in Sendagaya, Tokyo opened in September 1983. In addition to 60 years of in...

Itsukushima Shrine Noh Stage (厳島神社能舞台)

Noh Stage located at Itsukushima Shrine in Hiroshima nationally designated as an Important Cultural ...

Honganji North Stage (本願寺北能舞台)

The Noh Stage located in Nishi Hongwanji, the Honganji North Stage is the oldest Noh stage recogniz...

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...

Komai (小舞)

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

Kagami Ita (鏡板)

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

Kizahashi (階)

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

Atoza (後座)

The area to the far left facing main stage past the line connecting the shite-bashira and the fue-ba...

Honmaku (本幕)

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

Katamaku (片幕)

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

Hanmaku (半幕)

Meaning “half curtain,” the hanmaku is the point at which the bottom half of the agemaku is raised w...

Chakuza (着座)

Chakuza, or “taking one’s seat” refers to the performers sitting in their designated areas on stage....

Monogi (物着)

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

Jōza (常座)

Term indicating an area of the stage. Within the three-section, rectangular main stage surrounded by...

Kōken (後見)

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

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...

Agemaku (揚幕)

The curtain separating the kagami no ma and stage. The curtain is often made of a five-colour silk b...

Hashigakari (橋掛り)

The hashigakari is the name for the bridge-like section connecting the main stage protruding into th...

Kensho/Kenjo (見所)

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