Noh Terminology

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H (Index List)

Hirosode (広袖)

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

Haikyoku (廃曲)

Used in contrast to genkōkyoku, plays currently being performed, haikyoku refers to plays no longer ...

Hakama-kyōgen (袴狂言)

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

Hakama-noh (袴能)

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

Hakama (袴)

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

Hakobi (運ビ)

A basic step in Noh and kyōgen. Hakobi essentially refers to a step in which the sole of the foot sl...

Hakushiki (白式 )

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

Hamino (羽蓑)

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

Hana-boshi (花帽子)

See "Hana-bōshi"...

Hana-bōshi (花帽子)

A kind of headgear for Noh plays. It is used for the role of an ordained priestess. Hana-bōshi is a...

Hana (花)

A word referring to the charm of a stage performance. In his theories, Zeami likened Hana to "intere...

Haneogi (ハネ扇)

See "Haneōgi"...

Haneōgi (ハネ扇)

A form in Noh and kyōgen. One main rib (the fattest rib of each side of the fan) of the opened fan i...

Hangiri (半切)

Abbreviation for hangiribakama. While shaped similarly to ōkuchibakama, hangiri are made kinran fabr...

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...

Hankaiko (半開口)

See "Hankaikō" ...

Hankaikō (半開口)

A special performance among okinatsuki-wakinoh used in atypical wakinoh such as Tamai where there i...

Hanmaku (半幕)

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

Hanomai (破ノ舞)

One type of dance in Noh. After female spirits, fairies or other spirits dance the jonomai or nakan...

Han’noh (半能)

Han’noh is an abbreviated style of Noh performance. After the waki enters the stage, the part of the...

Happi (法被)

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

Hari-ōgi (張扇)

A tool used to keep time during Noh and kyōgen practice. It consists of two wooden sticks, with soun...

Hariban (張盤)

A wooden board used during practice or mōshiawase in place of the taiko, kotsuzumi, and ōtsuzumi. Th...

Haridato (針畳)

See "Haridatō"...

Haridatō (針畳)

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

Haru (ハル／張ル)

Haru is when the vocals or kakegoe are sung in a higher pitch. “More haru” thus means “increase the ...

Hashigakari (橋掛り)

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

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...

Haya mai (早舞)

A type of dance, literally “fast dance.” Haya mai is danced by characters playing ryunyo such as the...

Hayafue (早笛)

A hayashigoto played upon the entrance of the atoshite or atotsure. It is played at a high, heroic t...

Hayashikata (囃子方)

The instrumental performers in Noh, the hayashikata are divided into the fuekata, kotsuzumikata, ōts...

Hayashimono (囃子物)

Plays that are sung and danced in kyōgen with a unique, bright and airy rhythm. These often include ...

Hayatuzumi (早鼓)

Hayashigoto performed in Noh upon the frantic entrance of the ai performing hayauchi (a servant info...

Hazusu (ハズス)

A movement form in Noh and Kyōgen acting: to turn from the current direction or object to a differen...

Heike (平家)

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

Hikazu Noh (日数能)

The continued performance of Noh over multiple days. In Shikisanban (Okina), there are different typ...

Hineru (ヒネル)

One of the fundamental motions of Noh plays. A movement to change direction while standing. First st...

Hinoki Shoten ( 檜書店)

Publisher handling both chant books and other Noh-gaku-related material. During the Edo era, it rec...

Hinoki (桧)

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

Hiraki (披キ)

A narai, or “advanced practice play” of a nohgakushi, or the first time this play is played. Narai a...

Hiraki (開き)

Hiraki refers to the idea of release in vocals or forms. During the forms, or kata, the performer e...

Hiraki (ヒラキ)

Hiraki refers to the idea of release in vocals or forms. During the forms, or kata, the performer e...

Hiramono (平物)

Used in reference to regular plays and performance styles in contrast with narai and narai mono. Eve...

Hiranori (平ノリ)

A type of vocal rhythm. There are three types of vocal rhythms that correspond to the rhythm of the ...

Hishigi (ヒシギ)

Hishigi refers to a high, sharp tone of the Noh flute, and includes two types: a “hee”-type kata-hi...

Hitamen (直面)

While characters in Noh perform while wearing masks, they play the role in a similar manner even whe...

Hitatare (直垂)

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

Honbutai (本舞台)

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

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...

Honji (本地)

The basic unit of the Noh music rhythm is a simple octuple measure, and the rhythm is called honji. ...

Honji (本地)

Nohvocals are classified into hyōshi-ai , or vocals matching the rhythm, and hyōsyi-awazu, or vocals...

Honmaku (本幕)

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

Honmen (本面)

Masks that form the standard for individual schools and are passed down by the heads of the schools ...

Honwaki Noh (本脇能)

Plays full of the celebratory spirit that distinguishes waki Noh performances, including Takasago, Y...

Horagai (法螺貝)

Stage prop used in Kyōgen. Sometimes held by actors playing mountain priests as a Dharma tool for S...

Hosho School (宝生流)

See "Hōshō School"...

Hotokedaore (仏倒れ)

Performance that represents death or falling unconscious. The performer bends over backwards and fal...

Hyakushomono (百姓物)

See "Hyakushōmono" ...

Hyakushōmono (百姓物)

One type of kyōgen play. In the play, a farmer who has come to Edo to pay his taxes is the shite. T...

Hyoshiai (拍子合)

See "Hyōshiai"...

Hyoshiawazu (拍子不合)

See "Hyōshiawazu"...

Hyōshiai (拍子合)

The vocals matching the rhythm, or hyōshi, are known as hyōshiai, and the vocals not matching the rh...

Hyōshiawazu (拍子不合)

The vocals matching the rhythm, or hyōshi, are known as hyōshiai, and the vocals not matching the rh...

Hōshō School (宝生流)

One of Noh’s shitekata schools. The founder is said to be either the son or brother of Kan’ami Kiyot...