Glossary of performance terms
Japanese traditional performing arts involve a multitude of specialized terms. While many are explained within other articles, this list is aimed at making it easier to find specific terms.
- Aragoto 荒事 - lit. "rough pieces," a style of kabuki more associated with Edo than with Kamigata, and featuring bold heroes and bombastic action.
- Enmoku 演目 - a play, or a piece. Can be used for most theatre forms.
- Hatsubutai 初舞台 - an actor's debut; first appearance on stage
- Kumadori 隈取 - kabuki makeup, specifically makeup schema featuring bold lines or patterns in red or other colors to indicate a character's disposition or personality.
- Kyoku 曲 - a piece, or a play. Typically used for Noh pieces, and not for kabuki plays.
- Mai 舞 - One of two broad categories of traditional dance, contrasted with odori. Mai are defined by a gliding motion of the feet, relatively subdued arm movements, a more subdued mode, and other elements which make it a more abstract, and restrained form in contrast to odori. Mai is chiefly found in Noh, bugaku, and kagura, and has always been performed by professional performers.[1]
- Mie 見得 - dramatic poses performed by kabuki actors.
- Odori 踊 - One of two broad categories of traditional dance, contrasted with mai. Odori are defined by rhythmic movement of the limbs, and by a freer, more colorful, and more realistic style compared to mai. Odori dance grows out of popular folk dance traditions, only becoming incorporated into formal/professional dance traditions later. It continues to be central to many folk dance traditions, as well as geisha and courtesan dances, kabuki, and Nihon buyô.[1]
- Shibai 芝居 - a play, typically used in kabuki and not in Noh.
- Shûmei 襲名 - an actor's passing down and/or taking on of a stage name (esp. in kabuki). For example, in June 2012, kabuki actor Ichikawa Ennosuke III became Ichikawa En'ô II, passing on his name to his nephew Ichikawa Kamejirô II who then became Ichikawa Ennosuke IV. Productions officially said to be celebrating this shûmei continued through December 2013.
- Wagoto 和事 - lit. "gentle pieces". A style of kabuki associated with Kamigata more so than Edo, featuring gentle male leads and romantic plots.
