Masuami - Zoami

Date of birth and death unknown. An actor of the Dengaku Shinza (a troupe based in Nara) in the early Muromachi period. He was the successor of Kiami of the same troupe, and a master of the same era as Zeami of Yamato Sarugaku. He was particularly active in Kyoto and Nara under the patronage of the fourth shogun, Ashikaga Yoshimochi, and held several Kanjin Dengaku performances in the Oei 20s (1413-22). According to Zeami's Sarugaku Dangi, his style of performance was a refined and clear one that did not toy with technique, with a beautiful harmony between acting and music. In addition to Dengaku, he was also a talented performer with many talents, excelling at playing the shakuhachi, and it is said that the Noh mask "Zouonna" that is still used today was created by him.

[Kobayashi, Responsible]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

生没年不詳。室町前期の田楽新座(でんがくしんざ)（奈良に本拠を置いた座）の役者。同座の喜阿弥(きあみ)の後継者で、大和猿楽(やまとさるがく)の世阿弥(ぜあみ)と同時代の名手。ことに4代将軍足利義持(あしかがよしもち)の後援を受け、応永(おうえい)20年代（1413～22）には再々勧進田楽を興行するなど京都・奈良で活躍した。世阿弥の『申楽談儀(さるがくだんぎ)』によれば、演技と音曲(おんぎょく)とがみごとに調和した、技巧を弄(ろう)さない味わい深い冴(さ)えた芸風であったらしい。田楽以外にも多芸多才で、尺八の吹奏に優れ、今日に伝わる能面「増女(ぞうおんな)」はその創作になるという。

［小林　責］

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