Backdrop - Backdrop

A theatrical term. It refers to painting buildings, landscapes, etc. in perspective on stage props or backdrops. The name seems to have come from the fact that pillars, walls, doors, or mountains and rivers are divided and painted on several pieces of stage props. The word originated in Kabuki, but is now used in general theater as well, and has also become a verb, meaning to paint a background on a stage prop with paint.

[Toshiaki Matsui]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

演劇用語。大道具に属する張物(はりもの)や背景幕に、建物、風景などを遠近法によって書いたもの。柱、壁、戸または山河などをいくつもの張物に割って書くことから、この名が生まれたらしい。歌舞伎(かぶき)から出た語だが、現代では一般演劇にも使われ、また動詞化して、張物に絵の具で背景を描くことを「書き割る」とよぶ。

［松井俊諭］

出典　小学館　日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)について　情報 | 凡例