First item - Shobanmemono

Japanese: 初番目物 - しょばんめもの

A classification of Noh. In the Edo period, when the five-part system of Kami-ono-otoko-kyoki (classification method based on the standard for programming for one day) was officially established, this type of Noh was placed at the beginning of the program. It features a god as the protagonist (shite) and is a piece that blesses or foretells the reign, land, and fertility. There are about 40 pieces, including Takasago, Yumi-Hachiman, Tsurukame, Naniwa, Chikubushima, and Xioumu. It is also called waki-noh. Currently, the fourth piece, Ugetsu (a courtier is possessed by Sumiyoshi Myojin) and Makikinu (a shrine maiden is possessed by a god), as well as the currently fifth pieces Kasuga Dragon God and Kuzu, are placed approximately as the beginning of the program.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

能の分類名。江戸時代，神男女狂鬼の五番立(1日の番組編成基準に基づく分類法)を正式としたときの初番に置かれる能で，神のたぐいを主人公(シテ)とし，治世，国土，豊穣等を祝福あるいは予福する曲。《高砂》《弓八幡》《鶴亀》《難波》《竹生島》《西王母》など約40曲。〈脇能〉ともいう。また，現在は四番目物の《雨月》(宮人に住吉明神が憑（つ）く)，《巻絹》(巫女に神が憑く)や，現在は五番目物である《春日竜神》《国栖（くず）》を略初番目として置く。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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