Question 1

Aisozukashiとは？

Accepted Answer

A pivotal scene in 'enkiri-mono' (breakup plays). Despite being deeply in love, the woman coldly rejects the man — not from genuine hatred, but to secretly help him in his desperate circumstances (finding a lost treasure, raising money). The tragedy typically unfolds when the man fails to understand

Question 2

Aragoto (Rough Style)とは？

Accepted Answer

A bold, exaggerated acting style characterized by powerful movements and voice, primarily associated with the Edo kabuki tradition.

Question 3

Bukkaeri (Costume Flip)とは？

Accepted Answer

A costume trick where the upper half of a garment flips down to cover the lower half, revealing a completely different appearance. Used when characters reveal their true nature — from disguise to reality, or when supernatural beings show their real form.

Question 4

Chunori (Flying)とは？

Accepted Answer

A spectacular effect where an actor is suspended on wires and flies through the air, sometimes directly over the audience.

Question 5

Danmari (Silent Scene)とは？

Accepted Answer

A stylized scene where multiple characters silently grope in darkness, brushing past each other. Often depicts a struggle over a precious object in a dreamlike atmosphere.

Question 6

Enkiri (Breaking Up)とは？

Accepted Answer

A stylized scene depicting a couple's breakup, where a woman coldly rejects a man. Also called aisozukashi.

Question 7

Fudo no Mie (Immovable Deity Pose)とは？

Accepted Answer

A dramatic pose evoking the Buddhist deity Fudo Myo-o (the Immovable King). Seen in Benkei's poses in Kanjincho and in Narukami.

Question 8

Genroku Mie (Genroku-Style Pose)とは？

Accepted Answer

A dramatic pose with the right arm extended horizontally and the left hand raised overhead while stepping forward with the left foot. Famous from Kamakura Gongoro in Shibaraku.

Question 9

Hashiramaki no Mie (Pillar-Wrapping Pose)とは？

Accepted Answer

A dramatic pose where the actor wraps their limbs around a pillar or long weapon. Known from the priest Narukami in the play Narukami.

Question 10

Hayagawari (Quick Change)とは？

Accepted Answer

A technique where a single actor plays multiple roles, rapidly changing costumes and appearance between characters.

Question 11

Hikinuki (Costume Reveal)とは？

Accepted Answer

A signature costume trick where pulling threads instantly reveals a different costume layered underneath, creating a stunning visual transformation. In Musume Dojoji, multiple hikinuki reveal the heroine's emotional evolution through changing outfits.

Question 12

Hirayama Mieとは？

Accepted Answer

A famous dramatic pose from Kumagai Jinya, struck by the warrior Kumagai. The exact form varies by acting tradition.

Question 13

Honmizu (Real Water)とは？

Accepted Answer

Using real water on stage — creating rain, waterfalls, or pools for dramatic fight scenes. A beloved tradition since Edo-era summer productions. In Sukeroku, the hero hides by submerging himself in a rain barrel, flooding the stage.

Question 14

Ishinage no Mie (Stone-Throwing Pose)とは？

Accepted Answer

A dramatic pose struck in a stone-throwing posture. Famous from Benkei in Kanjincho.

Question 15

Kata (Form/Style)とは？

Accepted Answer

Established forms of movement and gesture passed down through generations for performing specific roles. Different acting families may have different kata for the same play.

Question 16

Keren (Spectacular Tricks)とは？

Accepted Answer

Spectacular theatrical tricks and effects designed to amaze the audience, such as flying through the air (chunori) or quick costume changes (hayagawari).

Question 17

Kitsune Roppo (Fox-Style Exit)とは？

Accepted Answer

A roppo (stylized exit along the hanamichi) performed with fox-like gestures. Famous from the fox Genkuro in Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura.

Question 18

Koroshiba (Murder Scene)とは？

Accepted Answer

A scene depicting a killing. In sewamono it tends to be grimly realistic; in jidaimono it is more stylized.

Question 19

Kudoki (Lament)とは？

Accepted Answer

A long, emotional lament where a woman pours out her innermost feelings. A showcase scene for onnagata, performed to gidayu chanting.

Question 20

Makugire (Curtain Close)とは？

Accepted Answer

The closing of a scene or act by drawing the curtain, often featuring a powerful final tableau that leaves a lasting impression.

Question 21

Makusoto no Hikkomi (Post-Curtain Exit)とは？

Accepted Answer

An exit technique where the actor remains on the hanamichi after the curtain closes, lingering to extend the emotional atmosphere before departing.

Question 22

Mie (Dramatic Pose)とは？

Accepted Answer

One of kabuki's most iconic acting techniques. After swinging the head while moving arms and legs dynamically, the actor freezes in a powerful pose, punctuated by tsuke beats. Famous types include Genroku Mie (Shibaraku), Ishinage no Mie (Kanjincho), and Hashiramaki no Mie (Narukami). The 'hippari n

Question 23

Modori (Surprise Reveal)とは？

Accepted Answer

A dramatic twist where a character believed to be a villain reveals they were actually good all along, typically confessing their true motives while dying from a wound. Since the surprise reversal is the whole point, actors are traditionally warned never to 'break the bottom' (soko wo waru) — showin

Question 24

Ningyoburi (Puppet-Style Acting)とは？

Accepted Answer

A special technique where actors mimic the movements of bunraku puppets — suppressing natural human gestures like blinking while other actors dressed in black pretend to manipulate them. Requires extraordinary skill and precision.

Question 25

Roppo (Stylized Exit Walk)とは？

Accepted Answer

A dynamic, stylized walking pattern performed when exiting along the hanamichi. Representative forms include tobi roppo (flying) and kitsune roppo (fox-style).

Question 26

Seisatsu (Proclamation Board)とは？

Accepted Answer

A placard or notice board bearing official orders or proclamations.

Question 27

Seisatsu no Mie (Proclamation Board Pose)とは？

Accepted Answer

A famous dramatic pose associated with Kumagai Jinya, where the protagonist poses beside a proclamation board.

Question 28

Semeba (Torture Scene)とは？

Accepted Answer

A scene where a good person is cornered and tormented by a villain, designed to arouse the audience's sympathy.

Question 29

Tachimawari (Fight Scene)とは？

Accepted Answer

Stylized stage combat with choreographed movements. May include tonbo (somersaults).

Question 30

Tenchi no Mie (Heaven-and-Earth Pose)とは？

Accepted Answer

A dual dramatic pose where one actor poses high and another poses low, creating a striking contrast. Famous from the Sanmon scene in Kinmon Gosan no Kiri.

Question 31

Tobi Roppo (Flying Exit)とは？

Accepted Answer

The most representative roppo style — swinging one arm wide and stomping the feet while making an energetic exit along the hanamichi.

Question 32

Tonbo (Somersault)とは？

Accepted Answer

A somersault performed in fight scenes to express being struck or thrown. The most fundamental and essential technique for actors performing tachimawari. Even the lead actor being attacked needs to understand tonbo to help their opponents perform it properly.

Question 33

Tsurane (Poetic Monologue)とは？

Accepted Answer

A long poetic monologue in 7-5 syllable rhythm, delivered by the aragoto hero on the hanamichi. Considered kabuki's distinctive form of bold oratory. Kamakura Gongoro in Shibaraku is the most representative example. The Shiranami Gonin Otoko version, split among multiple speakers, is called 'watari-

Question 34

Wagoto (Soft Style)とは？

Accepted Answer

A gentle, soft acting style expressing love and emotion through delicate speech and refined movements, primarily associated with the Kamigata (Osaka/Kyoto) kabuki tradition. The counterpart of aragoto.

演技・演出 — Kabuki Glossary

🎭 演技・演出 34 terms