A type of tachiyaku role corresponding to a man of judgement, who thwarts the villains' plans and proves the innocence of the falsely-accused ones, using his intelligence and his clear-sightedness. The 2 best examples are Kajiwara Heizô Kagetoki ("Ishikiri Kajiwara") and Hosokawa Katsumoto ("Meiboku Sendai Hagi").

In Japanese: 捌き役

Old province, which grosso modo corresponds to the current prefecture of Kanagawa. It was also called Sôshû.

In Japanese: 相模

A Heron.

In Japanese: 鷺

The agent of a landlord.

In Japanese: 差配人

"Saiyûki" is the Japanese reading of the classic Chinese 1590s novel "Xiyouji", written by the Ming-dynasty writer Wu Chengen, about the Buddhist pilgrim monk Xuanzang (known in Japan as Priest Sanzô)'s journey to India to study Buddhist doctrine with his three retainers, the monkey Sun Wukong (Songokû in Japanese), the pig Zhu Bajie (Chohakkai in Japanese) and the kappa Sha Wujing (Sagojô in Japanese).

In Japanese: 西遊記

Kabuki plays based on the Chinese novel "Saiyûki". The first one was Kawatake Shinshichi III's 1878 drama "Tsûzoku Saiyûki" and the most recent one was Ichikawa Ennosuke III's 2000 "Kaka Saiyûki". Others are Oka Onitarô's 1926 "Chohakkai", Kawajiri Seitan's 1929 "Tsûzoku Saiyûki" or Hôjô Hideji's 1961 "Kôshoku Saiyûki".

In Japanese: 西遊記物

The art of maneuvering an oared craft backward as well as forward.

In Japanese: 逆櫓

The traditional Japanese winecup for sake.

In Japanese: 杯

Japanese alcoholic beverage made with fermented rice.

In Japanese: 酒

A sake wooden barrel fitted with a handle.

In Japanese: 酒桶

The cherry tree flower.

In Japanese: 桜

A sakuramochi is a traditional Japanese sweet consisting of a pink rice cake and red bean paste, covered with a leaf of cherry blossom [more details].

In Japanese: 桜餅

A playwright.

In Japanese: 作者

"The sambasô is one of the most important ceremonial dances in the Kabuki theater. It originally comes from the ritual dance "Okina" in the classical Noh theater and with vigorous stamping and shaking of bells, it is a prayer for agricultural prosperity. In the Kabuki theater, the sambasô used to be performed early in the morning as an opening ritual, and in turn, there are many more theatrical versions of the sambasô dance that appeared as part of the regular program".
(from "The Nishikawa School of Japanese Classical Dance Nihon Buyô in its San Francisco Premiere Performance")

In the old Nô dance "Okina", the three main characters are Okina the white- bearded old man, Senzai (literally "thousand years"), and Sambasô (literally "the third oldest man"), the Black Okina. They dance in turn in a prayer for peace and a good harvest. In Kabuki versions, however, emphasis is not on Okina but on Sambasô, with the other two becoming secondary in importance. There are many versions of the sambasô dance in Kabuki, notably "Ninin Sambasô", "Shitadashi Sambasô", "Shiki Sambasô", "Ayatsuri Sambasô", "Kuruwa Sambasô" and others, all in spirited and felicitous mood.

In Japanese: 三番叟

The 3 most difficult and laudable old women roles in the Kabuki repertoire: Kakuju, Bimyô and Koshiji in the plays "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami", "Ômi Genji Senjin Yakata" and "Honchô Nijûshikô". Some scholars prefer to replace Koshiji by Enju ("Hirakana Seisuiki").

In Japanese: 三婆

This expression, which means literally "the three great revenges", is used for the three most famous revenge stories in Japan history: the revenge of the Soga brothers (sogamono), the revenge of the Akô forty-seven rônin (akô rôshi) and the Igagoe revenge (igagoemono).

In Japanese: 三大仇討

Literally "third floor hairdresser". Hairdresser specialized in male roles wigs.

In Japanese: 三階床山

This expression, which means literally "third floor actor", is used for lesser rank actors.

In Japanese: 三階役者

Confession; repentance.

In Japanese: 懺悔

The 3 most difficult and praiseworthy Princess roles in the Kabuki repertoire: Yaegaki, Yuki and Toki in the plays "Honchô Nijûshikô", "Kamakura Sandaiki" and "Kinkakuji".

In Japanese: 三姫

The most spectacular and popular matsuri in the city of Tôkyô (it is one of the "Three Great Festivals of Edo"). Although appearing to date from older times, the present day festival was established in the Edo period and is still held every year in May around the Asakusa Jinja Shrine in the popular district of Asakusa [more details].

In Japanese: 三社祭

The traditional commemoration of one's 80th birthday.

In Japanese: 傘寿記念

Dances or dramas whose main characters are the lovers Akaneya Hanshichi, the son of a sake merchant in the Yamato province, and Minoya Sankatsu, a courtesan of Ôsaka. Both characters really existed and committed double suicide the 7th of the 12th lunar month of 1695 in the burial ground of Sennichi in Ôsaka. The most representative work, which is still part of the current Kabuki repertoire, is "Sakaya".

In Japanese: 三勝半七物

Actor specialized in comical roles (the Kabuki buffoon).

In Japanese: 三枚目

One of the most important matsuri in the city of Tôkyô (it is one of the "Three Great Festivals of Edo"). The present day festival was established in the Edo period and is still held every year in June around the Hie Jinja Shrine in Nagata-chô in the district of Chiyoda [more details].

In Japanese: 山王祭

The 3 most difficult and laudable wife roles in the Kabuki repertoire: Otane, Otoku and Kanjo in the plays "Honchô Nijûshikô", "Keisei Hangonkô" and "Yoshitsune Koshigoejô".

In Japanese: 三女房

Kabuki dramas whose main characters are the rich farmer Sano Jirôzaemon and the courtesan Yatsuhashi. Both characters really existed: Sano Jirôzaemon was deeply in love with the Yoshiwara courtesan Yatsuhashi. The courtesan broke up the relationship and the farmer went mad, running amok and killing many people in the pleasure quarter. This event, which happened during the Kyôhô era, was nicknamed "Yoshiwara hyakuningiri" ("the killing of one hundred people in Yoshiwara"). The most famous sano-yatsuhashimono is "Kagotsurube".

In Japanese: 佐野八橋物

Old province, which grosso modo corresponds to the current Kagawa prefecture on the island of Shikoku. It was also called Sanuki.

In Japanese: 讃州

A sansukumi is a combination of a snake, which eats a toad, which eats a slug, whose slime is poisonous to the snake; this is the circle of deaths.

In Japanese: 三竦み

"Santo Yakusha Omokage Zukushi" was an illustrated book dedicated to Kamigata actors and to some Edo stage giants, illustrated by Suifutei in a quite comic and modern style and published in Ôsaka in 1784 by Yamatoya Kaemon. Here is the list of the actors depicted in this book: Anegawa Shinshirô III, Arashi Hinasuke I, Arashi San'emon VI, Arashi Sangorô II, Arashi Sanjûrô IV, Arashi Shichigorô II, Asao Tamejûrô I, Asao Monzô, late Bandô Mitsugorô I, Fujikawa Hachizô II, Fujikawa Sango, Ichikawa Danzô IV, Mimasu Daigorô II, Mimasu Tokujirô I, Mihogi Gizaemon II, Nakamura Kyôjûrô II, Nakamura Nakazô I, Nakamura Noshio II, Nakamura Tomijûrô I, Nakamura Utaemon II, Nakayama Bunshichi I, Nakayama Raisuke II, Nakayama Tazô, Onoe Kikugorô I, Onoe Matsusuke I, Sawamura Kunitarô I, Sawamura Sôjûrô III, Segawa Kikunojô III, Shibazaki Rinzaemon II, Somematsu Shichisaburô II, Yamashita Kamenojô IV, Yamashita Kinsaku II, Yamashita Yaozô I and Yoshizawa Iroha I.

In Japanese: 三都役者面影尽

Old province, which grosso modo corresponds to the current Kagawa prefecture on the island of Shikoku. It was also called Sanshû.

In Japanese: 讃岐

A cloth-bleaching girl in traditional Japan.

In Japanese: 晒女

"Sarayashiki", or "the Plate Mansion", is one of the most famous ghost stories in Japan. Okiku, a faithful servant of a daimyô in the province of Banshû, overheard once the chief retainer's plot to kill the daimyô and take over his castle. She saved her master by telling everything to her lover, who was loyal to the lord and the plot was foiled. The evil retainer got revenge by stealing one of ten important dishes belonging to the daimyô, who blamed it on Okiku and had her executed by throwing her in the well. Okiku's ghost could not rest It was said that people could still hear her counting the dishes but she always stopped at nine, until her former master was driven insane. Okiku's well is located in the precincts of the famous Himejijô, close to the place where samurai were forced to commit ritual disembowelment. There are two wells. The first one was used for washing away the blood of seppuku. The second one, a kind of morbid attraction, is known as Okiku's well. You might still hear her there counting the dishes... [more details]

In Japanese: 皿屋敷

One of the twelve signs of the zodiac (jûnishi). Saru is the sign of the monkey.

In Japanese: 申

Literally "monkey make-up". A kumadori created by the actor Nakamura Denkurô I for the role of Asaina.

In Japanese: 猿隈

A monkey showman.

In Japanese: 猿曳

A monkey showman.

In Japanese: 猿回し

The Saruwaka-ryû is a school of Buyô, which was established in Edo by Saruwaka Denkurô. It ended in 1851 with the death of Nakamura Kanzaburô XII, who was the 6th headmaster but had no heir. This school was revived in 1941 by Hanayagi Sukegorô, a member of the Hanayagi school, who took the name of Saruwaka Bukaku (Bukaku was the haimyô of Saruwaka Denkurô) and became de facto the 7th headmaster. He changed his name to Saruwaka Kiyokata I in 1948. The current headmaster, the 9th, is Saruwaka Kiyokata I's grandson Saruwaka Seizaburô II since April 2012 [official website].

In Japanese: 猿若流

Dramas based on Takizawa Bakin's voluminous novel "Nansô Satomi Hakkenden" ("Hakkenden").

In Japanese: 里見八犬伝物

A famous pass on the Tôkaidô road.

In Japanese: 薩埵峠

Rivalry in love. 2 impetuous and elegant lovers compete for the love of the same courtesan in the heart of the pleasure quarters. The most famous love competition is between Nagoya Sanza and Fuwa Banzemon, confronting each other to win the love of the courtesan Katsuragi (Sanza's wife who had to sell herself into prostitution). The scene requires the use of 2 hanamichi for the simultaneous entrance of both lovers.

In Japanese: 鞘当

A series of prints made by Utagawa Toyokuni III between 1847 and 1852, whose main subject is Ôboshi Yuranosuke, the hero of the classic "Kanadehon Chûshingura". The title "Seichû Ôboshi Ichidai Banashi" was translated in English by "The Life of Ôboshi the Loyal".

In Japanese: 誠忠大星一代話

Plays about the priest Seigen, abbot of the Kiyomizudera Temple in Kyôto, and Princess Sakura. The burning passion of the priest for the beautiful princess leads to a series of tragedies and deaths. In the current repertoire, the spectacular drama "Sakura Hime" is the most significant seigen-sakurahimemono.

In Japanese: 清玄桜姫物

Mount Seiryô in China. A sacred mountain, famous for its legendary Shakkyô.

In Japanese: 清涼山

Old province, which grosso modo corresponds to the northern part of the current Mie prefecture. It was also called Ise.

In Japanese: 勢州

A world. In Kabuki, a sekai is a dramatic world, with a well-defined set of characters and actions, related to well-known historical events or legends.

In Japanese: 世界

Physical or psychological torture scene in a Kabuki play. One of the most famous ones is the highlight of the play "Dan no Ura Kabuto Gunki".

In Japanese: 責め場

Sendai jôruri is an old style jôjûri, also called okujôruri or okuni Jôruri. In this style the singer narrates the story to the rhythm of a fan or biwa.

In Japanese: 仙台浄瑠璃

A boatman.

In Japanese: 船頭

Kabuki dances whose main character is a boatman (sendô). The most famous one, which is still in the current Kabuki repertoire, is "Kaminari Sendô".

In Japanese: 船頭物

One of the most famous temples in Tôkyô, located in the district of Takanawa. Its cemetery is famous because the graves of Lord Asano and his 47 faithful retainers (the Akô Rôshi) are there [more details].

In Japanese: 泉岳寺

The Age of the Warring provinces. Long troubled period in Japanese history, starting with the Ônin War (1467~1477) and ending with the final victory of the Tokugawa on the Toyotomi clan.

In Japanese: 戦国時代

Literally, an actor who is worth 1,000 ryô. A stage giant during the Edo period.

In Japanese: 千両役者

Old province, which grosso modo corresponds to the southern part of the current Ôsaka Prefecture. It was also called Izumi.

In Japanese: 泉州

The Sentô Imperial Palace in Kyôto. It was a palace for retired emperors, built in 1630. It was destroyed by fire and rebuilt several times, up to the final blaze in 1854, after which it was never reconstructed. It is now a 89,000 m2 garden, which can be visited [More details].
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In Japanese: 仙洞御所

Ritual suicide by self-disembowelment for warriors to atone for their mistakes.

In Japanese: 切腹

Operation of stage trapdoors to bring actors or scenery on stage. There are 3 trapdoors in a normal Kabuki theater: the suppon, the ôseri and the koseri.

In Japanese: セリ上げ

A village located in the outskirts of Kyôto. Takebe Genzô opened in this village a calligraphy school, which is the center of the famous "Terakoya" scene of the classic play "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami".

In Japanese: 芹生

Old province, which was made up of the southeastern part of the current Hyôgô prefecture and the western part of the Ôsaka Prefecture.

In Japanese: 摂津

A townman's wife role in a sewamono drama.

In Japanese: 世話女房

Domestic dramas dealing with the lives of commoners. More realistic in style, scenery and costums than the historical plays (jidaimono). The first sewamono in Kabuki history was Chikamatsu Monzaemon I's "Sonezaki Shinjû". Sewamono means the sewa things, sewa being a contraction of the words seken (society of the day) and wadai (subject).

"Sewamono portray in relatively realistic fashion the life of the ordinary people of the Edo Period, although plays in this category often show some stylization in presentation, especially at climactic moments (Paul M. Griffith)."

In Japanese: 世話物

The equivalent for onnagata of the monogatari for tachiyaku.

In Japanese: しゃべり

A legendary stone bridge, 30 centimeters in width, 30 meters in length, located on top of mount Seiryô in China and overlooking a bottomless precipice. This is the title of a famous Nô drama, telling the story of a Japanese aristocrat who has renounced the world to become a priest and goes to China in order to find and pray on top of mount Seiryô in front of the grave of Monju Bosatsu, a disciple of Buddha usually depicted as either riding or leading on a leash a Lion look-alike creature. In Kabuki, the Shakkyô is the background of beautiful Lion dances. "This lion is invariably associated with the peony flower which attracts him, and butterflies which irritate him. The peony affords the decorative color for a stage property, and the butterflies create movement. In this there is a basic esthetic satisfaction for the spectator in witnessing an expression of the duality of the lion's nature--repose (symbolized by the peonies) and anger (aroused by the butterflies)." (Faubion Bowers in "Japanese Theatre")

In Japanese: 石橋

Lion dances based on the Shakkyô legend.

In Japanese: 石橋物

A traditional bamboo flute.

In Japanese: 尺八

Japanese traditional instrument of music, a key instrument for Kabuki musical accompaniment, looking like a fretless lute made up of a long neck, three strings and a body in snake skin (in the old days) or cat skin (nowadays). The player hits the chord with a plectrum.

In Japanese: 三味線

The Theatre; the Kabuki world; a play; a drama.

In Japanese: 芝居

A tea house (chaya) located within a theater.

In Japanese: 芝居茶屋

The Seven Gods of Good Fortune.

In Japanese: 七福神

A Kabuki study group created by seven Kamigata actors in 1958: Nakamura Ganjirô II, Kataoka Nizaemon XIII, Hayashi Mataichirô II, Nakamura Senjaku II, Jitsukawa Enjirô II, Kataoka Gadô V and Nakamura Fukusuke V. The main goal of this group was to revive old Kamigata dramas or to perform classics in the Kamigata style. The first program was staged at the end of August 1958, in Ôsaka at the Mainichi Hall and included the dramas "Kawashô", "Numazu" and "Fûin Giri". A second program was staged for 12 days in July 1959, in Ôsaka at the Mainichi Hall and included the dramas "Shin Usuyuki Monogatari", "Daianji Zutsumi", "Meido no Hikyaku" and "Ono no Tôfû Aoyagi Suzuri". A third program was scheduled for August 1960 but for some financial reasons, it did not happen.

In Japanese: 七人の会

Important theater feature in Kabuki, the shichisan is located on the hanamichi, on top of the suppon. Its distance to the stage is 30% of the length of the hanamichi, which explains the origin of the name (shichisan means literally 7-3, 7 units of length to the agemaku and 3 units to the stage). Any actor entering or leaving the stage through the hanamichi has to stop on this symbolic point, either to strike a mie or deliver a line. It is also the point of apparition or disappearance through the suppon for supernatural creatures.

In Japanese: 七三

A pawnshop.

In Japanese: 質屋

A very prestigious rank in a hyôbanki. Possible translation: exceedingly - superior - superior - excellent.

In Japanese: 至極上上吉

An important and prestigious rank in a hyôbanki. Possible translation: unique - superior - superior - excellent.

A big thank to Akiko-San for the translation

In Japanese: 至上上吉

A famous pleasure quarter in Kyôto.

In Japanese: 島原

The prostitute-accosting routines of the Yarô Kabuki (adult Kabuki) during the 1650s and the first years of the 1660s. These plays, which were set in the Shimabara pleasure quarter, were forbidden by the authorities in 1664.

In Japanese: 島原狂言

Old province, which grosso modo corresponds to the current Chiba and Ibaraki Prefectures [more details]. It was also called Sôshû.

In Japanese: 下総

Stage right. The left of the stage from the audience viewpoint. [=> kamite].

In Japanese: 下手

Old province, which grosso modo corresponds to the current prefecture of Tochigi. It was also called Yashû.

In Japanese: 下野

Old province, which grosso modo corresponds to the current prefecture of Nagano. It was also called Shinshû.

In Japanese: 信濃

A very prestigious rank in a hyôbanki. Possible translation: truly extreme - superior - superior - excellent.

In Japanese: 眞極上上吉

Commemorative print made after the death of a popular actor [More details].

In Japanese: 死絵

A prestigious rank in a hyôbanki. Possible translation: truly - superior - superior - excellent.

In Japanese: 眞上上吉

Lovers' double suicide.

In Japanese: 心中

Dramas dealing with a shinjû.

In Japanese: 心中物

New Kabuki dramas written since Meiji by playwrights from outside the Kabuki world.

In Japanese: 新歌舞伎

A collection of 32 favourite plays selected by Ichikawa Danjûrô IX, many of which are included in the katsureki genre. The term jûhachiban actually means "eighteen", but here is used more generally to indicate one actor's particular selection of favourites. Here is the list:

In Japanese: 新歌舞伎十八番

A collection of 10 dance-dramas made by the Meiji star Onoe Kikugorô V:

"Rakan"

"Kodera no Neko"

"Tsuchi Gumo"

"Ibaraki"

"Hitotsuya"

"Modoribashi"

"Kikujidô"

"Hagoromo"

"Migawari Zazen"

"Osakabe Hime"

"Rakan" and "Kodera no Neko" were performed for the first time by his grandfather Onoe Kikugorô III. "Migawari Zazen" and "Osakabe Hime" were added in the collection by Onoe Kikugorô VI.

In Japanese: 新古演劇十種

The most famous pleasure quarter in Ôsaka.

In Japanese: 新町

The hare's-foot hern.

In Japanese: 荵

The shinobue is a Japanese transverse flute which emits a high-pitched sound [more details].

In Japanese: 篠笛

Literally "the new school". Shinpa was a genre of theatre, which appeared in Japan during the Meiji era. It depicted the manners and customs of contemporary Japan. It was characterized by a more naturalistic style than Kabuki and the coexistence of onnagata and actresses. Shinpa dramas were usually very sentimental with a tragic end. Shinpa quickly became extremely popular and was a serious rival for Kabuki during the second half of the Meiji era. This genre got finally caught between tradition and modernity, losing its appeal for both the Kabuki audience and the modern "Western" theatre audience. There are still Shinpa actors and performances in Japan, mainly in Tôkyô at the Shimbashi Embujô. Shinpa has still nowadays its aficionados, who love its nostalgic flavor. Some Kabuki actors sometimes perform in Shinpa productions.

In Japanese: 新派

Old province, which grosso modo corresponds to the current prefecture of Nagano. It was also called Shinano.

In Japanese: 信州

Shintô is a polytheistic religion in Japan [more details].

In Japanese: 神道

The "New Yoshiwara". In 1657 the city of Edo was destroyed by a big fire. The pleasure quarter of Yoshiwara was reduced to ashed and the Bakufu deciced to rebuild it in the district of Asakusa, in the bend of the Sumida River. Shinyoshiwara played its social role and prospered up to the anti-prostitution law of the first of April 1957.

In Japanese: 新吉原

An apprentice courtesan in the pleasure quarters during the Edo period.

In Japanese: 新造

A woman who works hauling brine to make salt. In Japanese Traditional Theater, the word shiokumi means more precisely the two famous salt-making sisters Matsukaze and Murasame, who both fell in love with the same man, the courtier Ariwara no Yukihira (818~893), an exile at Suma. This story, along with several of Yukihira's poems from famous compilations, form the basis of Kan'ami's (1333~84) Nô play, which was titled "Matsukaze" and in which the ghosts of Matsukaze and Murasame wait at Suma beach for Yukihira's promised return, cherishing his outer cloak and cap left as keepsakes. It also became later a famous role in many hengemono. The most famous one is "Shiokumi".

In Japanese: 汐汲

The "staring at the sea" mie, a ferocious pose by Kezori Kuemon, the hero of the drama "Koi Minato Hakata no Hitofushi", who stands imposingly at the prow of his boat. This unique mie was created by Ichikawa Danjûrô IX.

In Japanese: 汐見の見得

"A shirabyôshi can be considered an early precursor of the geisha and dates back to 1115, when the daughters of two high families, Suma no Senzai and Waka no Mae, are said to have attired themselves in the white garb of noblemen, wearing the high hat known as tateboshi, and danced with swords. In the beginning, the shirabyôshi danced a form of ceremonial dance, but later it developed into less virile and more elegant forms, which were used by these entertainers waiting upon the great at their banquets. The legend is shrouded in the obscurity customary in these cases, but at any rate, the shirabyôshi were accomplished women who in the past entertained others with singing, dancing and playing." (A. C. Scott in "The Kabuki Theatre of Japan")

In Japanese: 白拍子

White hair; gray hair.

In Japanese: 白髪

Term synonymous with thief. The litteral meaning is "white wave".

In Japanese: 白浪

Kizewamono drama depicting the adventures of a thief or a band of thieves.

In Japanese: 白浪物

[Visual]. A beginner rank in a hyôbanki. (Shiro)jô is in fact jô with the jô ideogram written in white. Possible translation: (white) superior.

In Japanese: 白上

A shishi is a mythological lion-like animal said to be the king of beasts and always associated with the Buddhist deity Monju.

In Japanese: 獅子

A Lion (shishi) Dance.

In Japanese: 獅子舞

A downtown area; a traditional working-class neighborhood in Tôkyô.

In Japanese: 下町

This expression comes from the four Deva kings in Buddhism. It was used for the four valiant and strong retainers of Minamoto Yorimitsu (commonly called Raikô): Sakata Kintoki, Watanabe Tsuna, Usui Sadamitsu and Urabe Suetake. It was also used for the four retainers of Minamoto Yoshitsune: Suruga Jirô, Kamei Rokurô, Kataoka Hachirô and Hitachibô Kaison.

In Japanese: 四天王

Dramas or dances whose main characters are Minato Raikô and his shitennô. The two best examples are "Tsuchi Gumo" and "Kumo no Hyôshimai".

In Japanese: 四天王

Style and techniques used by an onnagata actor portraying an extremely jealous woman. In most of the plays, she dies and becomes a vengeful ghost.

In Japanese: 嫉妬事

The Shôchiku Company is a leading company of the Entertainent World in Japan, producing movies and plays. It manages all the Kabuki actors (with the exception of the independent Zenshinza troupe) and several major theaters. It was founded in Kyôto in 1902 by the twin brothers Shirai Matsujirô (1877~1951) and Ôtani Takejirô (1877~1970). The name Shôchiku uses the first ideograms of both first names, shô being the Sino-Japanese reading of matsu (the Pine) and chiku being the Sino-Japanese reading of take (the Bamboo) [more details].

In Japanese: 松竹

The first actor in a lineage; the founder of a line.

In Japanese: 初代

An imperial era in Japanese history which started the 16th day of the 12th lunar month of the 21st year of the Kan'ei era (the 13th of January 1645 in the western calendar) and ended the 15th day of the 2nd lunar month of 1648 (the 7th of April 1648 in the western calendar). The 2 eras before and after Shôhô were Kan'ei and Keian.

In Japanese: 正保

Sliding doors and windows made of a latticework wooden frame and covered with a tough, translucent white paper, used in the traditional Japanese Architecture. It goes without saying that it is a key element for Kabuki plays interior design.

In Japanese: 障子

A mythical sake-loving baboon look-alike spirit that lives in the sea.

In Japanese: 猩猩

Kabuki Dance-drama.

In Japanese: 所作事

Literally the house of the mekake. A house purchased by a wealthy man to lodge his mistress.

In Japanese: 妾宅

An imperial era in Japanese history which started the 25th day of the 4th lunar month of 1711 (the 11th of June 1711 in the western calendar) and ended the 22nd day of the 6th lunar month of 1716 (the 9th of August 1716 in the western calendar). The 2 eras before and after Shôtoku were Hôei and Kyôhô.

In Japanese: 正徳

An imperial era in Japanese history which started the 25th December 1926 and ended the 7th January 1989. The 2 eras before and after Shôwa were Taishô and Heisei.

In Japanese: 昭和

A village headman (in the Edo period).

In Japanese: 庄屋

Same-sex love in the warrior class. During the Edo period and before, it was a custom for a young samurai to apprentice to an older and more experienced man. They would be lovers all along the apprentice. Shudô means literally the way of youth; it was said to be held in high esteem by the warrior class.

In Japanese: 衆道

A Buddhist priest who trains himself by enduring ascetic practices.

In Japanese: 修験者

A practitioner of Buddhist austerities.

In Japanese: 修行者

Name-taking ceremony for an actor.

In Japanese: 襲名

An abbreviation for shunigatsue, the "Second-Month Service". "The ceremony of water and fire in Nara Tôdaiji temple is called shunie ceremony, which is also known as omizutori. It's said that spring comes to Nara, with the end of this festival. Shunie ceremony is held from March 1st to 14th (it's in February in the lunar calendar) every year at Tôdaiji temple, Nara. Tôdaiji temple is well known for hosting a great Buddha statue. Shunie means the ceremony of February in Japanese and is the series of Buddhist rituals, in which priests pray to the eleven-headed goddess Kannon by confessing their sins and defilement. The ceremony is held at Nigatsudô hall. Eleven priests, called rengyôshû, pray for nation's prosperity and world peace by strengthening their piety through religious exercise. This ceremony has been practiced every year for more than 1200 years." (from gojapan.about.com) [more details].

In Japanese: 修二会

The Shunjûkai is a Kabuki study group founded in 1966 by Ichikawa Ennosuke III. It was used to revive long-forgotten spectacular Kabuki dramas. The first program, "Taiheiki Chûshin Kôshaku", was staged in July 1966 at the Tôyoko Hall.

In Japanese: 春秋会

The first Shunjûza was a theatre study group founded in 1920 by Ichikawa Ennosuke II, whose main advisors are the playwright Osanai Kaoru and the actor Ichikawa Sadanji II. The first program of the Shunjûza was staged in October 1920 at the Shintomiza and was made up of Tanizaki Jun'ichirô's "Hôseiji Monogatari", Kikuchi Kan's "Chichi Kaeri" and Okamoto Kidô's "Nadate Kuzure". This experience ended in April 1923.

The second Shunjûza, led by Ichikawa Ennosuke II, started in January 1931 and ended in April 1932. Others actors were Kawarazaki Chôjûrô IV, Nakamura Kan'emon III, Ichikawa Yaozô VIII, Ichikawa Danshirô III, Ichikawa Kodayû II, Ichikawa Arajirô II and Ichikawa Sashô II.

Shunjûza is also the name of a theater which was built within the Kyôto University of Arts and Design (Kyôto Zôkei Geijutsu Daigaku).

In Japanese: 春秋座

Style and techniques used by an onnagata actor in a tragic (grieving) scene.

In Japanese: 愁嘆事

A legendary ogre in Japanese Mythology. One thousand years ago, the giant ogre Shuten Dôji lived in the mountain Ôeyama in the province of Tamba. He was said to love sake and terrorized the nearby city of Kyôto by kidnapping beautiful noblewomen and forcing them to serve him before he ate them. He was killed by Minamoto no Raikô, who marched victoriously back to Kyôto hauling Shuten Dôji's head in an ox-cart.

In Japanese: 酒呑童子

A collection of dramas gathered by Nakamura Kichiemon I:

Matsuura no Taiko

Nijôjô no Kiyomasa

Urusanjô no Kiyomasa

Kumamotojô no Kiyomasa

Yasaku no Kamabara

Kiyomasa Seichûroku

In Japanese: 秀山十種

A buckwheat noodle shop.

In Japanese: 蕎麦屋

Jidaimono drama depicting the disturbances, scandals and succession conflicts within a clan. The most famous ones are "Meiboku Sendai Hagi" and "Kagamiyama Kokyô no Nishikie".

In Japanese: 騒動

The equivalent of dankikusa in Kamigata. This expression was used for the triumvirat of Meiji tachiyaku stars in Ôsaka and Kyôto: Nakamura Sôjûrô, Jitsukawa Enjaku I and Ichikawa Udanji I.

In Japanese: 宗延右

The Soga festival. It was a custom in Edo theaters to produce a sogamono as new year program and to use the characters of the Soga world from January up to the end of May. It ended the 28th of May (the day of the revenge!) and a festival called soga matsuri was held backstage to celebrate both the end of the new year program and the killing of Kudô Saemon Suketsune. The soga matsuri moved in the middle of the Edo period from the backstages to the stages, in order to please not only the actors but the theaters audience.

In Japanese: 曾我祭

Dramas or dances based on the famous revenge of the Soga brothers. The 28th of May 1193, the brothers Soga Gorô Tokimune and Soga Jûrô Sukenari killed Kudô Saemon Suketsune, who assassinated their father in 1175. This revenge occurred during a hunting party organized at the foot of Mount Fuji by Kudô, with Minamoto Yoritomo as the guest of honour. The Soga brothers became Kabuki heroes during the 18th century and countless of dramas were produced with their sekai. It was a custom for all the Edo theaters to produce a sogamono as new year program. The Soga brothers' sekai was used from January up to the end of May. The two characters are highly stylized: Gorô is impetuous, wears costums decorated with butterflies and is usually played in the aragoto style. Jûrô is refined, wears costums decorated with plovers (chidori) and is usually played in the wagoto style. The others characters of the Soga world are Kudô Saemon Suketsune, the courtesan Ôiso no Tora (Jûrô's lover), the courtesan Kewaizaka no Shôshô (Gorô's lover), Oniô Shinzaemon (Jûrô's retainer), Danzaburô (Gorô's retainer), Kobayashi no Asahina (a friend of the Soga family), Mankô (the brothers' mother), Ômi no Kotôta (Kudô's retainer) and Hachiman no Saburô (Kudô's retainer).

The most famous sogamono are "Kotobuki Soga no Taimen", "Ya-no-Ne" and "Ame no Gorô".

In Japanese: 曾我物

Synonymous with Miyazono.

In Japanese: 薗八

Old province, which grosso modo corresponds to the current prefecture of Kanagawa. It was also called Sagami.

In Japanese: 相州

Old province, which grosso modo corresponds to the current Chiba and Ibaraki Prefectures [more details]. It was also called Shimôsa.

In Japanese: 総州

The Soto-ga-Hama beach. A famous beach in Northern Japan, located near the eponymous city in the northwestern Aomori Prefecture in the Tôhoku region of Japan [a famous print].

In Japanese: 外ヶ浜

"Suifutei Gigafu" was an illustrated book dedicated to Kamigata actors, illustrated by Suifutei in a quite comic and modern style and published in Ôsaka in 1782. Here is the list of the actors depicted in this book: Anegawa Minato II, Arashi Bungorô, Arashi Hinasuke I, Arashi San'emon VI, Arashi Sangorô II, Arashi Sanjûrô IV, Asao Kunigorô II, Asao Tamejûrô I, Asao Monzô, Fujikawa Hachizô II, Fujikawa Sango, Hanagiri Tomimatsu I, Mimasu Daigorô II, Mimasu Tokujirô I, Mihogi Gizaemon II, Nakamura Jiroza II, Nakamura Jûzô II, Nakamura Kyôjûrô II, Nakamura Noshio II, Nakamura Tomijûrô I, Nakayama Bunshichi I, Nakayama Ihachi I, Nakayama Raisuke I, Onoe Kikugorô I, Onoe Shinshichi I, Otowa Jiroza II, Sawamura Kamegiku (?), Sawamura Kunitarô I, Shibazaki Rinzaemon II, Yamashina Jinkichi II, Yamamoto Giemon, Yamashita Kamenojô IV, Yamashita Kinsaku II, Yamashita Shungorô, Yamashita Yaozô I and Yoshizawa Iroha I.

In Japanese: 翠釜亭戯画譜

A watergate; a floodgate; a sluice.

In Japanese: 水門

A wooden water wheel.

In Japanese: 水車

Shintô shrines at which women pray for conception and safe birth. The most famous one is in Tôkyô in the district of Nihonbashi Kakigarachô, where you can still capture the atmosphere of shitamachi [more details in Japanese].

In Japanese: 水天宮

Kabuki or puppet dramas whose main characters are Sukeroku and his lover the courtesan Agemaki. Based on a real shinjû story, committed in Ôsaka by the otokodate Yorozuya Sukeroku and his lover the Shinmachi courtesan Ôgiya Agemaki. Sukeroku became an Edo character from 1713, named Hanakawado Sukeroku and his lover became the Yoshiwara courtesan Miuraya Agemaki ("Sukeroku").

In Japanese: 助六物

The Sumida River, which flows through eastern Tôkyô for almost 27 kilometers, under 26 bridges spaced at about one bridge per kilometer. From olden times the river has been an integral part of the lives of residents, providing water for daily living and for agriculture, as well as serving as a transportation route for people and goods. It is an important backdrop for many Kabuki dramas or dances [more details].

In Japanese: 隅田川

Dances or dramas, which are related to the legend of the Kyôto boy Yoshida Umewakamaru, who was kidnapped by slave traders and died in Edo along the Sumida River. The most famous one is the dance-drama "Sumidagawa".

In Japanese: 隅田川物

The Sumida Park (kôen means park in Japanese) is a riverside park in Asakusa, which stretches along both sides of the Sumida River for several hundred meters. In spring it becomes a popular cherry blossom viewing spot (more than 700 cherry trees!), while on the last Saturday of July it becomes the site of the Sumida River Firework [more details in Japanese].

In Japanese: 隅田公園

Lively folk dances popularized by buddhist priests and travelling bonzes as a means of propagating their religion. This expression comes from the Sumiyoshi Shrine in Ôsaka, where such dances originated from.

In Japanese: 住吉踊

Sumiyoshi Grand Shrine is a Shintô shrine in the Sumiyoshi district in the heart of the city of Ôsaka. It is the main shrine of all the Sumiyoshi shrines in Japan [more details].

In Japanese: 住吉大社

Japanese traditional wrestling.

In Japanese: 相撲 (角力)

Kabuki or puppet dramas whose main characters are sumôtori. The most famous ones are "Futatsu Chôchô Kuruwa Nikki" and "Sekitori Senryô Nobori".

In Japanese: 相撲物 (角力物)

Sumô wrestler.

In Japanese: 相撲取り

Old province, which grosso modo corresponds to the central part of the current prefecture of Shizuoka. It was also called Suruga.

In Japanese: 駿州

The suô is a formal dress worn by samurai and daimyô which is worn over an inner kimono.

In Japanese: 素襖

Super Kabuki. A new genre, created by the star Ichikawa Ennosuke III, which makes full use of the newest techniques, spectacular costumes, synthesizer sound effects and laser lighting, while incorporating some elements of Kabuki. Super Kabuki uses modern language scripts, which are written by modern playwrights. The plays have proved tremendously popular and are becoming a core element of new-style Kabuki. Ichikawa Ennosuke has said that "The future of Kabuki should be in trying to please the public, just as Okuni did when she started it as a popular art for commoners".

Here is the list of Super Kabuki dramas:

In Japanese: スーパー歌舞伎

Trap door on the hanamichi, located at the shichi-san, used for the apparition of supernatural creatures.

In Japanese: 鼈

Old province, which grosso modo corresponds to the central part of the current prefecture of Shizuoka. It was also called Sunshû.

In Japanese: 駿河

One of the most famous Japanese delicacies. A slice of raw fish or shellfish on a small ball of cold rice.

In Japanese: 鮨 (寿司)

A Sushi shop or a Sushi restaurant.

In Japanese: 鮨屋

Eulalia. A long grass associated with autumn.

In Japanese: 芒

The Suzaku Gate. This gate was the main one built in the center of south end of the imperial palaces in the Japanese ancient capitals (Kashihara, Nara or Kyôto). [more details].

In Japanese: 朱雀門

The Shintô God of War.

In Japanese: 諏訪明神

A 1200 years old Shintô shrine in Nagano prefecture, which is the center of numerous shrines spread throughout Japan. Several important Gods are worshipped there. The God of Battles, Suwa Myôjin, used to be worshipped there as well [more details].

In Japanese: 諏訪大社

Travelling Kabuki troupes.

In Japanese: 旅芝居

Guild name (yagô) for the actors Ichimura Kakitsu, Ichimura Manjirô, Ichimura Tsuruzô and Ichimura Yoshigorô.

In Japanese: 橘屋

Stylized fight scene. A "one against all" spectacular scene present in almost all the epic dramas. The most famous tachimawari are the final scenes of the dramas "Rampei Monogurui" and "Sakaro" ("Hirakana Seisuiki"), and the opening scene of the classic "Shin Usuyuki Monogatari".

In Japanese: 立回り

Actor specialized in male roles (also called tateyaku).

In Japanese: 立役

Chronicles of the Great Peace. An important Kabuki worlds (sekai). Its heroes are Ôto-no-Miya, Kusunoki Masashige, the Nitta brothers and Ômori Hikoshichi.

In Japanese: 太平記

The Taika coup d'etat in 645. The Emperor Tenchi and his loyal minister Fujiwara no Kamatari succeeded in destroying the wicked Soga no Iruka, who tried to take over the Imperial power. The classic "Imoseyama Onna Teikin" is based on this story.

In Japanese: 大化の改新

A Japanese traditional drum.

In Japanese: 太鼓

Chronicle of the Taikô (honorific title for the great warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi). One of the three most important Kabuki worlds (sekai). Its heroes are the warlords who fought for the unification of Japan and ended the sengoku jidai period. The shogunate banned any reference in Kabuki plays to recent historical facts and the playwrights has to thinly disguise the names. Here is the list of the main characters belonging to the Taikôki world: Mashiba Hisayoshi/Konoshita Tôkichi (real name: Toyotomi Hideyoshi), Oda Harunaga (real name: Oda Nobunaga), Takechi Mitsuhide (real name: Akechi Mitsuhide) and Satô Masakiyo (real name: Katô Kiyomasa). Another important role is the king of thieves Ishikawa Goemon, sworn enemy of Mashiba Hisayoshi.

In Japanese: 太閤記

Male entertainer in the pleasure quarters.

In Japanese: 幇間

The Taima Temple. A Buddhist temple in Nara, which was originally built in 612 [more details].

In Japanese: 當麻寺

An imperial era in Japanese history which started the 30th December 1912 and ended the 25th December 1926. The 2 eras before and after Taishô were Meiji and Shôwa.

In Japanese: 大正

A heavy drinker.

In Japanese: 大酒家

The eve of a death anniversary.

In Japanese: 逮夜

A falconer.

In Japanese: 鷹匠

The name of 11 generations of high-ranking (keisei) Yoshiwara courtesans. The second one, who was called Manji Takao, was killed in the 12th lunar month of 1659 by the daimyô Date Tsunamune on a pleasure boat (==> date sôdô).

In Japanese: 高尾

Guild name (yagô) for the actor Nakamura Baigyoku.

In Japanese: 高砂屋

Guild name (yagô) for the actors Ichikawa Sadanji and Ichikawa Unosuke [more details].

In Japanese: 高島屋

The traditional pedestal upon which the cup of sake is placed.

In Japanese: 高杯

Takeda Katsuyori (1546~1582) was a Japanese daimyô of the Kai province, the son of Takeda Shingen [more details].

In Japanese: 武田勝頼

Takeda Shingen (1521~1573) was a Japanese daimyô of the Kai province with exceptional military prestige in the late stage of the Sengoku period [more details].

In Japanese: 武田信玄

Roles played by minor actors imitating some simple, crude and gaily-coloured Bunraku puppets. You can find Takeda Yakko in 2 plays in the current repertoire: "Dan no Ura Kabuto Gunki" and "Goto Samba".

In Japanese: 竹田奴

A ningyô jôruri theater founded in 1684 by Takemoto Gidayû in Ôsaka in the Dôtombori district (west side). In 1705, the zamoto of this theater was Takeda Izumo I and the leading playwright was Chikamatsu Monzaemon I. Takemoto Gidayû, the founder of the Gidayû school died in 1714 and was replaced by his son Takemoto Masadayû I. It became common in puppet theaters, beginning in the Kyôhô era (1716-1736), for a committee of authors to work together on the creation of each new play. Many famous playwrights worked at the Takemotoza: Chikamatsu Monzaemon I, Takeda Izumo I, Miyoshi Shôraku, Namiki Senryû I, Matsuda Bunkôdô, Hasegawa Senshi, ... The Takemotoza had its rival, the Toyotakeza, which was built by an ex-disciple of Takemoto Gidayû and the competition between the 2 theaters was fierce. The golden age of ningyô jôruri lasted up to the end of the Hôreki era. Slowly but surely, the Kabuki, which adapted to its genre all the puppet masterpieces, won back its popularity, which was eclipsed for a while by the puppet theater's one, and the ningyô jôruri went into a decline. The Takemotoza finally had to close down in 1767.

In Japanese: 竹本座

An octopus.

In Japanese: 蛸

A soap-bubbles peddler.

In Japanese: 玉屋

Tameshigiri is the Japanese art of target test cutting using a katana [more details].

"The practice of performing cutting tests on swords was begun in the Kotô period, (prior to 1600), the tests were performed on various combinations of materials, i.e. bundles of bamboo laden with mud and tied, helmets, horn, iron of various degrees of hardness, and last but not least, the human body. The practice of using human bodies was begun as a means of crime control, for instance, the sentence for a convicted thief would probably be the loss of a hand or arm. The various strokes were given in relationship to the severity of the crime committed [...] Swords were tested only by licensed testers at official testing grounds. The results of the test along with the date and name of the tester were then inscribed, (mainly in gold), on the tang of the sword." (from samuraisword.com)

In Japanese: 試斬 / 試し斬り / 試し切り / 試切

The Star Festival celebrated on July 7 in the city of Hiratsuka and August 7 in the city of Sendai. According to an old Chinese legend, it celebrates the reunion of the lovers Princess Orihime and Prince Hikoboshi, shining in the summer sky as Vega and Altair, who are separated the rest of the year by the milky way but can cross it and meet only for one night.

In Japanese: 七夕

A badger. Tanuki in Japan are traditionally said to have the power to take the shape of humans, and in that form, they can play mischievously in order to trick human beings.

In Japanese: 狸

A strip of paper for writing a poem on.

In Japanese: 短冊

The young, chivalrous and refined customers of the tanzen buro; Stylization in Kabuki of the manners of the customers of the tanzen buro; A padded kimono worn over the yukata after a bath to protect from the cold (the name originates in tanzen buro).

In Japanese: 丹前

Famous bathhouses with women attendants, built in Edo in the district of Kanda during the Kan'ei (1624~1644) era. The sexual license of these bathhouses was well-known and they received the order to close or move to the pleasure quarter in 1658.

In Japanese: 丹前風呂

Leading onnagata in a Kabuki theater or a troupe (also called tateoyama).

In Japanese: 立女方 (立女形)

The head of the playwrights' room in a Kabuki theater during the Edo period or the Meiji era.

In Japanese: 立作者

A choreographer of tachimawari.

In Japanese: 立師

One of the twelve signs of the zodiac (jûnishi). Tatsu is the sign of the dragon.

In Japanese: 辰

A famous bridge over the Dôtombori canal in Ôsaka. The name of the bridge comes from Ôsaka Tazaemon, a name held by 6 generations of Kabuki nadai. The original bridge, which was built during the Edo period (unknown year), was a wooden bridge. It was completely reduced to ashes during the terrible American air raid of the night from the 13th to the 14th of March 1945, which destroyed the city of Ôsaka. The current modern bridge was completed in 1958. It is 41.2 meters long and 4 meters wide.

In Japanese: 太左衛門橋

Shop employee whose rank is above Decchi and below Bantô.

In Japanese: 手代

The tekomai were young geisha walking in procession during a religious festival in a special costum. They led the mikoshi (portable shrine) while singing festival chant-like songs like the famous kiyari ondo. The tekomai costum is made up with a masculine trouser, a peony flower design on the right shoulder, a red paper lantern imprinted with their names in their left hand and a metal wand in their right hand. The word tekomai can be used either for the dancing/singing girls or for their costums.

In Japanese: 手古舞

A long-nosed goblin.

In Japanese: 天狗

Born in 1699 in the Kishû province. His first name was Hannosuke. He became a yamabushi priest and called himself Ten'ichibô. Financially supported by several influential rônin, he went to Edo in 1728 to claim that he was the son of the 8th Tokugawa Shôgun. His case was carefully examined by an Edo tribunal, which came to the conclusion that it was a fraud. As a consequence of this trial, Ten'ichibô was condemned to death and executed in 1729. This affair became the subject of several Kabuki plays, the most famous one being "Ten'ichibô Ôoka Seidan".

In Japanese: 天一坊

Tokubei (1612~1692?) was a Japanese adventurer and writer of the early 17th century, who journeyed in Southeast Asia. He was nicknamed "Tenjiku", which meant "India" in Japanese during the Edo period [more details].

In Japanese: 天竺徳兵衛

Kabuki dramas whose main character is the sailor Tenjiku Tokubei.

In Japanese: 天竺徳兵衛物

An imperial era in Japanese history which started the 2nd day of the 4th lunar month of 1781 (the 25th of April 1781 in the western calendar) and ended the 25th day of the 1st lunar month of 1789 (the 19th of February 1789 in the western calendar). The 2 eras before and after Tenmei were An'ei and Kansei.

In Japanese: 天明

An imperial era in Japanese history which started the 29th day of the 9th lunar month of 1681 (the 9th of November 1681 in the western calendar) and ended the 21st day of the 2nd lunar month of 1684 (the 5th of April 1684 in the western calendar). The 2 eras before and after Tenna were Enpô and Jôkyô.

In Japanese: 天和

Guild name (yagô) for the actor Nakamura Tomijûrô [more details].

In Japanese: 天王寺屋

An imperial era in Japanese history which started the 10th day of the 12th lunar month of its 1st year (the 23rd of January 1830 in the western calendar) and ended the 2nd day of the 12th lunar month of its 15th year (the 9th of January 1844 in the western calendar). The 2 eras before and after Tenpô were Bunsei and Kôka.

In Japanese: 天保

The title of a famous kôdan created by Matsubayashi Hakuen II at the very beginning of the Meiji era. It can be translated as the Six Poets (rokkasen) of the Tenpô era. The story depicts in fact the lives and deeds of 6 characters who were more robbers than poets, some of them modeled after real people: the bogus priest Kôchiyama Sôshun, the "honest samurai" Kataoka Naojirô, the kenkyaku Kaneko Ichinojô, the thieves gang boss Moritaya Seizô, the bakuto Kurayami no Ushimatsu and the Yoshiwara courtesan Michitose.

The real Kôchiyama Sôshun was a servant in the administrative headquarters of the Tokugawa Shogunate. He worked as a cha bôzu in Edo castle. He was fired in 1808 and quickly formed a gang of gamblers and thieves, engaging in extortion and other illegal activities. He was arrested in 1823 and died in custody. He became the key character of Matsubayashi Hakuen II's kôdan. The centerpiece of the story is Kôchiyama's swindling of the Matsue Domain.

In Japanese: 天保六花撰

A Kabuki program attended by the Emperor of Japan.

In Japanese: 天覧歌舞伎

A thin Japanese hand towel made of cotton. Around 35x90 cm in size and printed with some patterns.

In Japanese: 手拭い

A castle keep.

In Japanese: 天守閣

A colorful and lively section in a traditional dance in which the dancer dances without any stage props, on the rythm set by the musical ensemble, using refined hand movements.

In Japanese: 手踊り

The acting for a wounded hero, who is about to die on stage. The scene shows the suffering of the dying character and it is usually used for the final revelation of the truth and his/her true feelings. The two best examples are Gonta in "Sushiya" and Tamate Gozen in "Gappô".

In Japanese: 手負事

A rifle (musket).

In Japanese: 鉄砲

The tobae were comical and fantastic scroll pictures made by Toba Sôjô, depicting animals (frogs, rabbits and monkeys) frolicking as if they were human. Toba Sôjô (1053~1140), also known as Kakuyû, was the 47th head priest of the Enryakuji Temple. The tobae are considered as the oldest form of manga and Toba Sôjô as the very first mangaka in Japanese History.

In Japanese: 鳥羽絵

A fireman in the Edo period.

In Japanese: 鳶

One of the most famous Buddhist temples, located in the city of Nara [more details].

In Japanese: 東大寺

Manager in a Kabuki theater in charge of all the backstage logistic.

In Japanese: 頭取

A Kabuki dance study group created in November 1922 by Onoe Eizaburô VII and Ichikawa Omezô IV. The first program is staged at the Ichimuraza in November 1922. The second program is staged at the Imperial Theater in March 1923. A third program was planned but the earthquake of September 1923, which completely destroyed Tôkyô, ruined the project and put an end to the Tôeikai.

In Japanese: 踏影会

Mount Togakushi (Togakushiyama in Japanese) is a rocky mountain located about 20 km northwest of Nagano city. It is 1,904 meters high. Since the 9th century, this sacred mountain became a place to perform the ascetic practices [more details].

In Japanese: 戸隠山

A stage trick (keren) used in Tsuruya Namboku IV's ghost play "Tôkaidô Yotsuya Kaidan": a hayagawari technique done by flipping a large wooden shutter to reveal the same actor in 2 different roles (Oiwa and Kohei). Two headless human-sized puppets are set on each side of the shutter and there are holes for the actors's head and hands.

In Japanese: 戸板返し

Key element of Japanese traditional cuisine. Dried soybeans are soaked, ground and cooked. The thick puree mixture is then separated into soypulp and soymilk. The milk is then strained and a common, natural mineral, calcium sulphate, is added to the soymilk to curd it. The curds and whey are separated; the curds are then strained and pressed into cakes. It is said to be a healthful alternative to meat, eggs, cheese and other protein sources.

In Japanese: 豆腐

The Tôkaidô (literally the "Eastern Sea Route") was the most important communication road built by the Tokugawa Shogunate:

"From Edo it led down the magnificent Pacific coast, where mountains meet suddenly with ocean to form some of the most fascinating natural scenery imaginable. Midway it turned inland, crossed through a range of majestic snow-capped mountains, and passed the beautiful Lake Biwa before reaching Kyôto. This was one of a number of highways built by the Tokugawa government to facilitate administration. It was always kept in good condition, and stopping places, or "stages," were maintained at fifty-three points along the way." (Takahashi Seiichirô and Charles Terry in "Andô Hiroshige")

In Japanese: 東海道

One style of narrative music, originating in the Bungo style, created during the Enkyô era by Tokiwazu Mojidayû I and used in some Kabuki dance-dramas. The current head of the Tokiwazu school is Tokiwazu Mojidayû IX.

In Japanese: 常磐津

A very important alcove, used for exhibition of paintings or pots, in the main room of a traditional Japanese house.

In Japanese: 床の間

A somersault done by a minor actor during a spectacular tachimawari.

In Japanese: とんぼ

Literally "a distant view". In the Kabuki world, this expression is used for children-actors who replace adult actors in the same role to create the illusion of a distant view. The two most famous examples are the end of the "Ninokuchi-Mura" and the "Kumiuchi" scene of "Ichi-no-Tani Futaba Gunki".

In Japanese: 遠見

One style of narrative music, originating in the Tokiwazu style, created in 1748 by Tomimoto Buzennojô I (Tomimoto Buzendayû I), a disciple of Tokiwazu Mojidayû I. This style was very popular when it was led by Tomimoto Buzendayû II (1754~1822) but it started to decline after his death. The last head of Tomimoto was Tomimoto Buzendayû XI (1929~1983) who tried to revive it in 1980. The school does not exist anymore but there are still some Tomimoto passages, which are sometimes performed by Tokiwazu ensembles.

In Japanese: 富本

Guards and attendants at the court before and during the Heian period. Sons or brothers of local chieftains, they worked as attendants in the Imperial residences or at palaces of high-ranking ministers.

In Japanese: 舎人

A lord, a prince. When tono is put after a name, it is a very polite way to say "Mr." (if not polite, it is very ironic!).

In Japanese: 殿

One of the twelve signs of the zodiac (jûnishi). Tora is the sign of the tiger.

In Japanese: 寅

One of the twelve signs of the zodiac (jûnishi). Tori is the sign of the cock.

In Japanese: 酉

A gateway, in either wood or stone, leading to a Shintô shrine. The 3 most famous Kabuki scenes with a huge torii in the scenery are "Kurumabiki" (the Yoshida shrine in Kyôto), the first act of "Sonezaki Shinjû" (the Ikutama shrine in Ôsaka) and the "Torii Mae" scene of "Yoshitsune Sembon Zakura" (the Inari Taisha shrine in Kyôto).

In Japanese: 鳥居

An Ôsaka entrepreneur named Mitamura Kumakichi decided to rent in February 1885 the Harukiza, a small theater located in the district of Hongô, which had no troupe since the end of 1884. Then, he brought a troupe of Kamigata actors to Tôkyô in order to perform at the Harukiza. The troupe was called Torikuma Shibai. Toriguma meant "bird and bear". The second character kuma (bear) came from the first name of the entrepreneur. The first character tori (bird) was related to a patron of Mitamura, who managed a birds shop. The initial troupe was made up of the actors Ichikawa Fukunojô, Onoe Shôju, Mimasu Takegorô, Jitsukawa Kikunosuke, Ichikawa Koinojô, Ichikawa Komasaburô, Arashi Rinshô, Nakamura Takesaburô IV, Jitsukawa Koendô and Nakamura Komajaku. The first performance was staged in May 1885. The entrance fee to the Harukiza was the cheapest in Tôkyô and the Torikuma Shibai became popular. In September 1885, the actors Nakamura Shikaku I and Nakamura Umetarô joined the Torikuma Shibai. The final performance of the Torikuma Shibai was staged in March 1886 and the troupe disbanded.

In Japanese: 鳥熊芝居

A capture; an arrest.

In Japanese: 捕物

A torite was a person who was in charge of catching criminals during the Edo period of Japan.

In Japanese: 捕手

Performance of a play in its entirety or one program made up of several acts of the same play.

In Japanese: 通し狂言

A middle-aged woman.

In Japanese: 年増

Old province in Japan, which grosso modo corresponds to today western Shizuoka Prefecture [more details]. It was also called Enshû.

In Japanese: 遠江

A ningyô jôruri theater founded in 1703 by Toyotake Wakadayû in Ôsaka in the Dôtombori district (east side). Toyotake Wakadayû, whose first name was Takemoto Uneme, was in fact an disciple of the Takemotoza master Takemoto Gidayû, who decided to leave his master and open his own theater. From 1707, the leading playwright at the Toyotakeza was Ki-no-Kaion, a rival of Chikamatsu Monzaemon I (Takemotoza). Others famous playwrights who worked at the Toyotakeza were Yasuda Abun, Namiki Sôsuke and Nishizawa Icchû. With the decline of ningyô jôruri, the Toyotakeza had to close down in 1765, 2 years before its rival the Takemotoza. It was reopened several times without success and definitively closed before the end of the 18th century.

In Japanese: 豊竹座

A court lady.

In Japanese: 局

A genre of shamisen music originating in Aomori Prefecture in the northernmost area of the Japanese island of Honshû. It is today performed throughout Japan, though associations with the Tsugaru area of Aomori remain strong [more details].

In Japanese: 津軽三味線

The horned wig. A special wig used to portray the traditional Japanese demons (oni)

In Japanese: 角鬘

A long declamatory speech spoken without a break on the hanamichi by an aragotoshi. Most tsurane occur during an actor's entrance and are delivered in a musical voice. It is full of puns and tongue twisters. The most famous tsurane are delivered by Kamakura Gongorô Kagemasa, Hanakawado Sukeroku and Soga Gorô Tokimune in "Shibaraku", "Sukeroku" and "Uirô Uri".

In Japanese: 連ね

A crane.

In Japanese: 鶴

The Killing of a Crane.

In Japanese: 鶴殺し

A river embankment.

In Japanese: 堤

Built more than 1100 years ago, the Tsuyu Tenjin Shrine is the protector of the Sonezaki and Umeda areas in Ôsaka. The name of this shrine, Tsuyu Tenjinsha, is said to be derived from a word, tsuyu (dew) used to describe tears in the poem written by Sugawara no Michizane, who was deified after his death as Tenjin, the Shintô God of Scholarship (enshrined at the Tsuyu Tenjinsha). In the Genroku period (during the Edo period), this was a popular spot for the suicide of lovers destined never to be together. One of this shinjû occured there in the 4th lunar month of 1703. This tragedy inspired the playwright Chikamatsu Monzaemon I to dramatize the incident and to write the famous love story "Sonezaki Shinjû". The pureness of love moved audiences to tears and the play became a sensation. The main character, the courtesan Tenmaya Ohatsu, especially left a vivid impression to many, and Tsuyu Tenjinsha began to be commonly called Ohatsu Tenjin [more details].

In Japanese: 露天神社

A traditional hand drum.

In Japanese: 鼓

A wicker basket.

In Japanese: 葛篭