Closure - Finish

A type of informal Noh performance. It is performed by the shite alone, extracting independent parts of Noh such as kuse, kiri, dan, michiyuki, and kurui. In rare cases, such as "Futari Shizuka" and "Hashi Benkei," there are also performances accompanied by tsure and kokata. The parts performed are determined by the school. Some shimai last from a few minutes to 10 minutes. The performer does not wear a Noh mask or costume, but wears crested clothing and hakama, or kamishimo. No music is used, and the dance is performed only to the jiutai. Noh training usually begins with shimai, which is like a sketch of Noh, but the shimai of a master has a richness that can be said to be the essence of Noh. In principle, the dancer holds a shimai fan in his hand, but a naginata or a walking stick can also be used. Although few in number, there is a similar informal form of Kyogen performance called Komai.

[Masuda Shozo]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

能の略式演奏の一つ。クセ・切(きり)・段・道行(みちゆき)・クルイなど、能のなかから独立しうる一部分を抜き出し、シテ1人で演ずるもの。まれに『二人静(ふたりしずか)』『橋弁慶』のようにツレ・子方を伴うものもある。演ずる部分は流儀により定まっている。数分のものから十数分に及ぶ仕舞もある。能面も装束も着けず、紋服・袴(はかま)、あるいは裃(かみしも)姿。囃子(はやし)も用いず、地謡(じうたい)だけで舞う。能の稽古(けいこ)は仕舞から始めるのが普通で、いわば能のデッサンであるが、名人の仕舞には能の精粋ともいうべき滋味がある。仕舞扇を手にして舞うのが原則であるが、長刀(なぎなた)や杖(つえ)も用いられる。狂言にも数は少ないが同種の略式演奏があり、小舞(こまい)という。

［増田正造］

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