Suke - Suke

Japanese: スケ - すけ

A Kabuki term. When a high-ranking, capable person such as a kyogen writer, actor, or Takemoto tayu joins a troupe as a "suketsuto" (assistant), this term is added to the title of that person in the joint names on the rankings and signs. Therefore, it is not the same as a casual assistant writer or supporting actor. In the case of writers, when a writer of equal or higher rank than a leading actor joins a collaborative writer group, they are placed in the guest seat with "suke" written to the right of their name (although the character "suke" is sometimes not used specifically). In the case of actors, when a star actor who belongs to another troupe under an annual contract joins a troupe specially for that performance only for some reason, they are also given the title "suke" and given special treatment.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

歌舞伎用語。狂言作者，役者，竹本の太夫などで，地位の高い実力者が，〈助人（すけつと）〉の資格で一座に加わった場合，番付や看板の連名に，その者の肩書に付ける用語。したがって，意味の軽い補助作者，助演者の類ではない。作者の場合，合作制の作者グループに，立役者と同等もしくはそれ以上の作者が加わっているとき，客座に据えて名の右肩に〈スケ〉と明記した(特にスケの文字は用いないこともある)。役者の場合，年間契約で他座に属しているスター役者が何らかの事情でその興行だけ一座に特別加入するとき，やはり〈スケ〉と肩書して特別扱いをする。

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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