Noh Terminology

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N (Index List)

Naga-dōgu (長道具)

Stage prop used in Noh and Kyōgen. A weapon with a long handle. In Noh plays, the naginata held by t...

Naga-mono (長物)

Stage prop used in Noh and Kyōgen. A weapon with a long handle. In Noh plays, the naginata held by t...

Nagakazura (長鬘)

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

Naginata (長刀)

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

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...

Nakairi (中入り)

Nakairi refers to when the performers step behind the curtain or set between the first and second ha...

Nakashomen (中正面)

See "Nakashōmen"...

Nakashōmen (中正面)

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

Nanori-bue (名ノリ笛)

Music played on the flute at the beginning of a song or when the waki supporting actor enters the st...

Nanori (名ノリ)

The nanori, or “name-saying,” is the part or shōdan of a Noh or Kyōgen play in which the performers ...

Narai (習)

Narai are plays and performances that require special permission to be performed. Narai are both tec...

Nashiuchi-eboshi (梨子打烏帽子)

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

Nayose (名寄)

A list of the plays performed by each school in Noh and kyōgen. In the Edo era, each school would su...

Neru (ネル)

The fabric used for the lining of Japanese split-toe socks. This is a cloth woven with cotton yarn w...

Netori (音取)

One type of special hayashigoto in Noh (where the hayashi becomes the main part in a play). The net...

Nihon Nohgaku-kai (日本能楽会)

Japan Nohgaku Organization. A general incorporated association consisting of members selected from ...

Ningen Kokuhō (人間国宝)

Popular name for certified people with high levels of artistic skill who take part in performing ar...

Ninzū-mono (人数物)

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

Nishijin Ori (西陣織)

A high-class fabric woven in Nishijin, in the west of Kamigyō Ward, Kyoto. The luxurious fabrics us...

Nochi-shite (後シテ)

For the characters to change masks, costumes, etc., they often enter the curtain or go behind the pi...

Nochiba (後場)

In Noh and kyōgen, the performers will often step behind the curtain or set to change masks or costu...

Noh-gaku Shorin (能楽書林)

Publisher handling both chant books and other Noh-gaku-related material. Noh-gaku Shorin is headqua...

Noh-hon (能本)

An old name for Noh scripts. Noh-hon and utai-bon (books of Noh chants) are both for written verses...

Noh-men (能面)

Masks used in Noh plays. Noh masks fall into several categories: okina masks used for “shiki-sanban ...

Nohgaku Kyōkai (能楽協会)

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

Nohgaku (能楽)

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

Nohgakudo (能楽堂)

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

Nohkan (能管)

The flute used by the fuekata in Noh and kyōgen. The nohkan is also simply called the fue. As the no...

Nohriki (能力)

A monk of low status at a temple that performs manual labor. Or, a monk of a temple. They appear as ...

Nori (ノリ)

Term used in reference to the overall tempo and rhythm of a Noh or kyōgen. The performance can be sa...

Noshi (直衣)

See "Nōshi"...

Noshime (熨斗目)

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

Notto (ノット)

Notto is a shortened form of norito, which means a blessing. The notto is chanted by the role of th...

Nugisage (脱下げ)

One way of wearing a costume. The right sleeve of a kaori worn in the ubazuke style is left to drape...

Nuihaku (縫箔)

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

Nyotai (女体)

One type of kogaki in Noh, nyotai, or “female form,” refers to when the shite performs in the appea...

Nōshi (直衣)

An unlined, long-sleeved garment worn by male characters of the highest standing. Used as a substitu...

Yōkyoku (謡曲)

The lyrics of Noh, or chanting those lyrics to a tune. The term Yōkyoku came into use around the lat...

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...

Noh-gakushi (能楽師)

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

The Nogami Memorial Noh Theatre Research Institute of HOSEI University (法政大学能楽研究所)

A research center which houses historical documents related to nohgakuand serves to promote the art,...