Noh Terminology

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K (Index List)

Komachi-mono (小町物)

A genre of plays about Ono no Komachi, a poet of the early Heian period. One of the Rokkasen (six fa...

Kachishura-mono (勝修羅物)

Among the nan or shura-mono (niban-me-mono) performances in the Goban Date style, “shin-nan-nyo-kyō-...

Kadono School [Ōtsuzumi-kata] (葛野流［大鼓方］)

One of the Noh large hand drum (ōtsuzumi) schools. The founder, Kadono Kurō Hyōenojō Sadayuki (1588-...

Kae (替エ)

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

Kaeai (替間)

Aikyōgen refers to when kyōgenkata appear in Noh plays, and when a special performance that differs ...

Kagami Ita (鏡板)

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

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...

Kagami-ōgi (鏡扇)

A form in Noh and Kyōgen acting. The actor pinches the pivot of the fan with his right hand and gent...

Kagura (神楽)

One type of dance in Noh. A very elegant dance danced by a female god or priestess holding treasure...

Kahōmono (果報者)

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

Kaiko (開口)

See "Kaikō" ...

Kaikō (開口)

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

Kakaeogi (抱エ扇)

See "Kakaeōgi"...

Kakaeōgi (抱エ扇)

A form in Noh and kyōgen. In the kakaeōgi, or “held fan” form, the hinge of the opened fan is held b...

Kakari (カカリ)

Kakari refers to the opening part of a dance. Dance pieces including chūno-mai, kami-mai and haya-ma...

Kakaru (カカル)

Acceleration of strength and tempo as the vocals and music gain momentum. The term Kakarurefers to d...

Kake-ai (掛合)

Parts sung by one character and another, or one character and the ji-utai, typically performed out o...

Kakegoe (掛声／カケ声)

Kakegoe are the vocals performed by players of the percussion instruments, the kotsuzumi, ōtsuzumi a...

Kakeri (カケリ)

Kakeri, or “anguish dance,” refers to the movement indicating the deranged state of warriors that ha...

Kakeru (カケル)

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

Kakko (羯鼓)

A kind of dance performed by entertainer characters to display their abilities. They carry small tab...

Kakyō (花鏡)

An esoteric book of Noh. Consisting of one volume, Kakyō is a compilation of the artistic theory tha...

Kamigakari (上掛リ)

Among the five shitekata schools, the Kanze and Hōshō schools, which share the same artistic roots, ...

Kamimai (神舞)

One type of dance in Noh. It is danced by the form of a male god to portray fluid, pure godlike dig...

Kamishimo (裃)

A kimono is used as a high-class formal dress by kōken, jiutai and hayashikata, depending on the pro...

Kamiuta (神歌)

The lyrics sung to shikisanban (okina). When okina is performed alone it is also known as and listed...

Kamuri-himo (冠紐)

A strap used to secure a crown such as ui-kammuri (worn by a young man during the coming-of-age cere...

Kanawa-dai (鉄輪戴)

A prop used in the Noh play “Kanawa”, a kanawa-dai is an iron trivet used for supporting an item suc...

Kanawa (鉄輪)

A prop used in the Noh play “Kanawa ”, a kanawa is an iron trivet used for supporting an item such a...

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...

Kanetsuri (鐘吊)

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

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 ...

Kanjin noh (勧進能)

Performances held to raise subscriptions for the construction of shrines or temples. As times change...

Kanjinchō (勧進帳)

A letter of intent to request donations for the construction of a temple or shrine. Used as the name...

Kanmuri-himo (冠紐)

A strap used to secure a crown such as ui-kanmuri (worn by a young man during the coming-of-age cere...

Kanze School [Kotsuzumi-kata] (観世流［小鼓方］)

One of the Noh small hand drum (kotsuzumi) schools, also called the Kanze-Shinkurō School because ma...

Kanze School [Taiko-kata] (観世流［太鼓方］)

One of the Noh drum (taiko) schools, also called the Kanze Sakichi School. The founder, Kanze Yoshir...

Kanze School [Ōtsuzumi-kata] (観世流［大鼓方］)

One of the Noh large hand drum (ōtsuzumi) schools. The founder was Kanze Katsujirō Shigemasa (died i...

Kanze School (観世流)

One school of the shitekata of Noh. The founder was one of the greats ofNoh, Kan’ami Kiyotsugu. (13...

Kan’ami (観阿弥)

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

Kan’nami (観阿弥)

See "Kan’ami"...

Karaori-himo (唐織紐)

A string for tightening the waist area when a short-sleeved outer garment including karaori is worn....

Karaori (唐織)

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

Kariginu (狩衣)

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

Kasshikikazura (喝食鬘)

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

Kasumi no ogi (霞ノ扇)

See "Kasumi no ōgi"...

Kasumi no ōgi (霞ノ扇)

A form in Noh and kyōgen. In the kasumi no ōgi, or “mist fan” form, the hinge of the opened fan is h...

Kataage (肩上げ)

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

Kataginu (肩衣)

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

Kataji (片地)

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

Katamaku (片幕)

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

Katanugi (肩脱ぎ)

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

Katari (語リ)

Katari, or simply “speaking” refers to one character telling stories of past events or famous storie...

Katariai (語リ間)

Aikyōgen refers to when kyōgenkata appear in Noh plays, and the portion of dialogue that connects th...

Katatsuke (型付)

Katatsuke refers to a predetermined, stylized form (movement) in Noh and kyōgen plays. Or it can be ...

Katsura Mono/Kazura Mono (鬘物)

In the official five-play style of performance of the Edo era, shin nan nyo kyō ki (deity, man, woma...

Kazashi (カザシ)

A form in Noh and kyōgen. In the kazashi, or “shading fan” form, the hinge of the opened fan is held...

Kazura (鬘)

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

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...

Keiko (稽古)

Practice or training. Noh and kyōgen actors train every day in various ways to build the big reperto...

Kensaki-eboshi (剣先烏帽子)

A kind of headgear, used by performers who perform sanbasō in “Shiki-sanban”, a kind of divine serv...

Kensho/Kenjo (見所)

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

Kesa (袈裟)

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

Kikyoku (稀曲)

Plays that are rarely performed. Both Noh and kyōgen have existing repertoires of well over two hund...

Kimari Moyo (極リ模様)

See "Kimari Moyō" ...

Kimari Moyō (極リ模様)

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

Kinagashi (着流シ)

A style of wearing kimono. In this style, a man wears a short-sleeved kimono (kosode) with a rich b...

Kinran (金襴)

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

Kiri Noh (切能)

In the official five-play style of performance of theEdo era, shin nan nyo kyō ki (deity, man, woman...

Kiri (キリ)

Kiri refers to the end of something. In Noh, this is the final party of the play, as in kiri-no-utai...

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...

Kirikumi (斬組ミ)

Swordfight used by many samurai in battle scenes. It appears in the plays “Shōzon”, “Eboshi-ori”, e...

Kiso-hinoki (木曽檜)

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

Kita School (喜多流)

One of Noh’s shitekata schools. A new school founded around 1619 at the start of the Edo era with th...

Kitsuke (着付)

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

Kizahashi (階)

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

Kodogu (小道具)

See "Kodōgu"...

Kodōgu (小道具)

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

Koetsu utaibon (光悦謡本)

See "Kōetsu utaibon"...

Kogaki (小書)

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

Kohaze (こはぜ)

A thin piece of metal attached to the heel side of the outer part of tabi socks, hooked onto looped ...

Kokata (子方)

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

Koken (後見)

See "Kōken"...

Komai (小舞)

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

Komi (コミ／込ミ)

Komi are the rest periods emphasized in different parts of the performance, including the vocals, mu...

Komparu School [Taiko-kata] (金春流［太鼓方］)

One of the Noh drum (taikoi) schools, also called the Sōemon School. The founder, Komparu Saburō Toy...

Kongoh School (金剛流)

One of Noh’s shitekata schools. Its founder is said to be Sakato Magotarō Ujikatsu (1280-1384) of th...

Konparu School (金春流)

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

Konparu Zenchiku (金春禅竹)

Konparu Zenchiku was a Noh actor and playwright who lived from 1405 (Ōei 1212) to 1470 (Bunmei 2)?, ...

Konparusatsu (金春札)

A shitekata and the founder of the Konparu School was granted authority over a region near Nara by T...

Koshimaki (腰巻)

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

Koshimino (腰蓑)

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

Kosode (小袖)

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

Kotoba (コトバ)

Kotoba, or “words,” refers to parts of vocals that include words only and no notes. In chant books, ...

Kotsuzumi (小鼓)

The percussion instrument used by the kotsuzumikata, literally “small drum.” Also known simply as “d...

Kouta (小歌)

Noh and kyōgenplays believed to incorporate folk songs from the Muromachi era. Kouta is represented ...

Koutabushi (小歌節)

In kyōgen, adding the verses of the kouta popular in the middle ages to where the words, or kotoba w...

Koyui-eboshi (小結烏帽子)

Headgear categorized as a type of ori-eboshi (samurai eboshi), used by a child actor. In the old day...

Kuchiake (口開)

One type of Aikyōgen (ai) performed by the kyōgenkata in Noh. The ai that appears in the beginning ...

Kuchiakeai (口開間)

One type of aikyōgen performed by the kyōgenkata in Noh. Used to create the setting for the entrance...

Kudoki (クドキ)

Kudoki refers to vocals in Noh that are full of lamenting and sorrow sung by the shite, shitetsure a...

Kumihimo (組紐)

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

Kumo no ogi (雲ノ扇)

See "Kumo no ōgi"...

Kumo no ōgi (雲ノ扇)

A form inNoh and kyōgen. In the kumo no ōgi, or “shading fan” form, the hinge of the opened fan is h...

Kumorasu (クモラス)

Angling the mask slightly downward is known as kumorasu, or “to make a sad face,” and angling the ma...

Kurai (位)

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

Kuri (クリ)

Noh chants are made up of numerous shōdan. Kuri is one name for shōdan. Kuri act as the introductory...

Kurogashira (黒頭)

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

Kurokawa Noh (黒川能)

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

Kurotare (黒垂)

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

Kuruizasa (狂い笹)

Bamboo grass held in the hands to symbolized a crazes, confused characters. Kuruizasa is used for th...

Kuse (クセ)

A single Noh play is made up of a combination of numerous shōdan, or “modules,” and kuse is one name...

Kusemai (曲舞)

One of the medieval arts prevalent from the Nanboku-chō era to the Muromachi era, kusemai is also re...

Kutsurogu (くつろぐ)

Point at which the performers stop performing momentarily and face the audience. The performers may ...

Kyahan (脚絆)

Garments over the leg worn by characters who are travellers or workmen. In Kyōgen plays, they use ts...

Kyarako (キャラコ)

Refers to plain-weave thin cotton cloth. The texture of calico is uniform and beautiful. The fabric...

Kyogenkata (狂言方)

See "Kyōgenkata"...

Kyogenkuchiake (狂言口開)

See "Kyōgenkuchiake"...

Kyogentabi (狂言足袋)

See "Kyōgentabi"...

Kyotokanzekaikan (京都観世会館 )

See "Kyōtokanzekaikan"...

Kyu no mai (急之舞)

See "Kyū no mai"...

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 ...

Kyōgen-men (狂言面)

Masks used in kyōgen plays. Since kyōgen has many characters played without masks, there are only ab...

Kyōgenkata (狂言方)

In addition to performing and acting as the kōken and jiutai in kyōgen, the kyōgenkata acts as the a...

Kyōgenkuchiake (狂言口開)

One type of aikyōgen performed by the kyōgenkata in Noh. Used to create the setting for the entrance...

Kyōgentabi (狂言足袋)

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

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...

Kyū no mai (急之舞)

The fastest type of Noh dance. There are two types of Kyū no mai, performed with either the fue, kot...

Kō School [Kotsuzumi-kata] (幸流［小鼓方］)

One of the Noh small hand drum (kotsuzumi) schools, also known in the past as the Kō Gorōjirō School...

Kōetsu utaibon (光悦謡本)

One of the books of librettos. Published in old typefaces from the Momoyama era to the Keichō era of...

Kōken (後見)

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

Kōsei School [Kotsuzumi-kata] (幸清流［小鼓方］)

One of the Noh small hand drum (kotsuzumi) schools, also known in the past as the Kō Seijirō School....

kashiragane (頭金)

A metal fitting inserted into kashira (the end near the mouthpiece) of a nō-kan (Noh flute). The de...

kyogen-utai (狂言謡)

See "kyōgen-utai"...

kyōgen-utai (狂言謡)

A type of chant recited by kyōgen actors. It includes "koutai," a short utai recited in drinking par...

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...