Glossary of Japanese theater

This glossary gives a general overview of terms related to the Japanese theater, performing arts, and dances.

A concise description is given for each term; more details are given in their respective articles.

The glossary does not include personalia and plays.

For rarer terms not found in this glossary, see #Bibliography.

Kanjinchō from the series One Hundred Poetry Illustrations: A Collection of Multicolor Woodblock Prints by Kojima Gyokuhō , c. 1934
Bugaku Dance by Tawara Sōtatsu , 17th century
Bunraku: Yoshida Bungorō IV operating Chiyo, a puppet, 1942
Gagaku musicians
Geisha dance, c.1914-1918
Kyoto geiko (geisha) Toshimana playing shamisen . She is wearing full make-up and a katsura (wig), a blue hikizuri kimono with short sleeves, and a stiff brocade obi tied into a taiko-musubi knot.
Gigaku masks (Horyuji Treasures)
The hanamichi at National Theatre of Japan
Harukoma by Utagawa Kunisada , 1862
"Famous heroes of the kabuki stage played by frogs" by Utagawa Kuniyoshi , ca. 1875
The interior of a kabuki theater on a print by Ichikawa Danjuro II , c. 1738
Iwami Kagura: the performance depicts Kotoshironushi fishing for sea bream.
Kakubei-jishi on a print by Kobayashi Kiyochika , 1884
Kamishibai
Noh theater costume: two kosode in kara-ori, presented by Kongô Kinnosuke. Photo by Stephane Passet for the Archives of the Planet , Kyoto, 1912.
Kishotenketsu. The height of the bumps leading to the twist can change per story. [ 5 ]
Kuroko in Bunraku performance
Kyogen performance
Kyogen masks
Miyako Odori
The mon on the right sleeve of the kimono of Kabuki actor Ichikawa Yaozo III, dressed as Umeōmaru. The kanji 八 , meaning 'eight', is written within the triple square. Print by Utagawa Kunimasa , 1796.
Nihon-buyo: dancers in the play Noriai bune .
Noh theater: fight between Benkei and Minamoto Yoshitsune from the play Hashi-Benkei. Photo by Stephane Passet for the Archives of the Planet , 1912
Noh and Kyogen masks
Nuihaku with scattered crests
Sagimusume (Heron Maiden) dance performed by onnagata Akifusa Guraku
Kyoto geisha Toshimana holding a Nōh mask, wearing full make-up and a katsura (wig).
"Two Actors as Iwai Hyanshiro IV and Segawa Kikunojo III in the 'Karukoma' Dance" by Torii Kiyonaga , with a shamisen player on top of the print
Gagaku musician playing sho
Soran Bushi performed by children
Okada Saburosuke , "Portrait of a Lady" with tsuzumi drum
Yakkofuri
Yakusha-e by Utagawa Kunisada : five actors from the play Satomi Hakenden , pictured side by side, c. 1850s