Question 1

Degatari (Visible Musicians)とは？

Accepted Answer

A performance style where the musicians are visible to the audience, as opposed to playing behind screens.

Question 2

Geza (Offstage Music)とは？

Accepted Answer

A general term for scene music and sound effects played from offstage.

Question 3

Gidayu (Narrative Chanting)とは？

Accepted Answer

A narrative music form perfected by Takemoto Gidayu, performed by a chanter (tayu) and shamisen player as a duo. Originally from bunraku puppet theater, it became essential for kabuki period plays. Kabuki works featuring gidayu are called 'gidayu kyogen' or 'maruhon mono.'

Question 4

Hayashikata (Ensemble Musicians)とは？

Accepted Answer

Musicians responsible for playing the narimono (percussion and wind instruments).

Question 5

Ki (Wooden Clappers)とは？

Accepted Answer

Wooden clappers struck to signal the start of a performance, scene changes, and other cues.

Question 6

Kurogo (Black-Clad Stagehand)とは？

Accepted Answer

A type of stage assistant dressed entirely in black who helps actors during performance. Under kabuki's convention that 'black is invisible,' the audience treats them as if they don't exist. They handle costume changes, prop handoffs, and puppet rod operations.

Question 7

Kuromisu (Music Room)とは？

Accepted Answer

A screened-off room on stage left where musicians play music and sound effects.

Question 8

Misuuchi (Behind the Blinds)とは？

Accepted Answer

Playing music from behind bamboo blinds, keeping the musicians hidden from the audience.

Question 9

Nagauta (Long Song)とは？

Accepted Answer

The most representative form of shamisen music used in kabuki.

Question 10

Narimono (Percussion & Instruments)とは？

Accepted Answer

All instruments other than the shamisen, including drums, flutes, and bells.

Question 11

Okuri Sanjuとは？

Accepted Answer

A shamisen pattern played standing at the edge of the hanamichi as an actor enters or exits, building emotional intensity to match the character's footsteps.

Question 12

Tsuke (Striking Sound Effect)とは？

Accepted Answer

Sound effects created by striking wooden boards on the stage floor in time with actors' movements, emphasizing footsteps and dramatic actions.

Question 13

Tsukeuchi (Tsuke Player)とは？

Accepted Answer

The person who strikes wooden clappers on a board at stage right, perfectly timed to actors' movements including mie poses, stomping, and fight scenes. Adds impact and immediacy to the performance. Requires expert timing and perfect synchronization with the actors.

Question 14

Yuka (Narrator's Platform)とは？

Accepted Answer

The elevated platform where gidayu narrators and shamisen players perform.

Music & Backstage — Kabuki Glossary

📖 Music & Backstage 14 terms