Terminology

The Basics

1) Noh - Classical Japanese musical drama.  Themes of the plays are typically based on historical events or classical literature.  There are five categories of Noh plays depending on the type of character portrayed by the Shite -- god, warrior, female, demon, and miscellaneous (e.g. mad person, ghost, etc.).

2) Kyogen - Classical Japanese comedy.  Kyogen plays are often performed before a Noh play or between two Noh plays.  Pronounced with a hard "g".

The Performers

1) Shite - Actor who specializes in playing the lead roles.  Pronounced as shee-TAY.  When not playing the lead role, a Shite also has other responsibilities such as singing in the chorus, directing the stage, supporting the lead Shite, etc.  Shite actors are Shite for life; there is no switching to other types.

2) Waki - Actor who specializes in playing supporting roles.  Pronounced as wah-kee.  Waki actors are Waki for life; there is no switching to other types.

3) Kyogen - Actor who specializes in playing comic roles.  Kyogen actors are Kyogen for life, and do not switch to playing Shite or Waki in Noh plays, but they do sometimes appear in Noh plays as comic relief or interludes.

4) Hayashi - Musician.  Four types of instruments (a flute and three types of drums) are used in Noh plays, and each musician specializes in one of them only.

(C) Kyoran / Nohgaku Illust