Kanze Nobumitsu

A Noh actor and Noh playwright in the late Muromachi period. Commonly known as Kojiro, he was the seventh son of Onami. He was famous as a master of the otsuzumi drum and played an active role as the "gon no kami" (pronounced "gon no kami") of the Kanze troupe. This title is given to an elder with a wide range of artistic ability and rank who can immediately take over any role if it becomes difficult. He protected the troupe as the guardian of the young tayu (coach), and is said to have excelled in waki roles. As a playwright, he possessed the skill to add dramatic life and show-like splendor to Noh, and many of his works were directly transferred to Kabuki. These include "Momijigari," "Funabenkei," "Rashomon," and "Choryo." "Kanemaki" (the original work of "Dojoji") is also said to be his work. It is characterized by the active performance of the supporting role, the lively characters and costumes, and the varied direction, and is still popular today. He also left behind excellent works such as "Yugyoyanagi" and "Kocho" in the direction of Zeami-style poetry and drama.

[Masuda Shozo]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

室町末期の能役者、能作者。通称小次郎。音阿弥(おんあみ)の第7子。大鼓(おおつづみ)の名人として名高く、観世座の「権守(ごんのかみ)」として活躍した。これは、どの役に支障がおきてもすぐにかわりうる幅広い芸力と芸位をもった長老に与えられる称号である。幼い大夫(たゆう)の後見として一座を守り、ワキの役を得意としたともいう。作者としても能に劇的生命とショー的な絢爛(けんらん)さを加えた技量の持ち主で、歌舞伎(かぶき)にそのまま移行された作品も多い。『紅葉狩(もみじがり)』『船弁慶(ふなべんけい)』『羅生門(らしょうもん)』『張良(ちょうりょう)』などがある。『鐘巻(かねまき)』（『道成寺(どうじょうじ)』の原作）も彼の作とされる。ワキの役の活躍、登場人物や扮装(ふんそう)のにぎやかさ、変化に富んだ演出が特徴で、現代においても人気曲である。世阿弥(ぜあみ)風の詩劇的方向の作品にも『遊行柳(ゆぎょうやなぎ)』『胡蝶(こちょう)』の佳作を残している。

［増田正造］

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