Question 1

Agemaku (Entrance Curtain)とは？

Accepted Answer

The curtain hung at the toya entrance used for actors' entries and exits on the hanamichi.

Question 2

Asagimaku (Light Blue Curtain)とは？

Accepted Answer

A light blue draw curtain, separate from the standard joshikimaku curtain.

Question 3

Dogumaku (Scene-Change Curtain)とは？

Accepted Answer

A curtain used to conceal the stage during scene changes.

Question 4

Hanamichi (Runway Stage)とは？

Accepted Answer

A raised walkway extending from the stage through the audience. The spot about 30% from the stage end is called 'shichisan' (seven-three), a crucial point where actors strike poses and deliver speeches. Contains the 'suppon' trapdoor lift for supernatural appearances.

Question 5

Hikimaku (Draw Curtain)とは？

Accepted Answer

A general term for curtains that open and close horizontally across the front of the stage.

Question 6

Joshikimaku (Standard Curtain)とは？

Accepted Answer

The iconic kabuki draw curtain with three vertical stripes. Also called kyogenmaku.

Question 7

Kamite (Stage Right)とは？

Accepted Answer

The right side of the stage as seen from the audience.

Question 8

Kasumimaku (Mist Curtain)とは？

Accepted Answer

A curtain used to conceal the entry and exit of musicians.

Question 9

Keshimaku (Vanishing Curtain)とは？

Accepted Answer

A curtain technique that makes characters or scenery appear or disappear.

Question 10

Mawari Butai (Revolving Stage)とは？

Accepted Answer

A revolving section at the center of the stage, allowing quick scene changes.

Question 11

Naraku (Below-Stage)とは？

Accepted Answer

The space beneath the stage and hanamichi floor, housing stage machinery like seri lifts. Named after the Buddhist concept of naraka (hell) because it was once a dark, harsh environment. Today it also serves as a corridor and workshop for building large props.

Question 12

Seri (Stage Lift)とは？

Accepted Answer

A mechanism that raises or lowers part of the stage floor, used for dramatic character entrances from below or scene changes. The 'suppon' on the hanamichi is a type of seri. The large 'oseri' at center stage can lift entire sets for spectacular effects.

Question 13

Shimote (Stage Left)とは？

Accepted Answer

The left side of the stage as seen from the audience.

Question 14

Suppon (Trapdoor Lift)とは？

Accepted Answer

A trapdoor lift mechanism on the hanamichi, used for supernatural appearances like ghosts and spirits.

Question 15

Toya (Backstage Area)とは？

Accepted Answer

The backstage area at the far end of the hanamichi where actors enter, exit, and wait.

Question 16

Toyaguchi (Hanamichi Entrance)とは？

Accepted Answer

The entrance connecting the hanamichi to the toya backstage area.

舞台 — Kabuki Glossary

🏯 舞台 16 terms