Regional Drama (English: Chihō-geki)

Japanese: 地方劇 - ちほうげき（英語表記）Dì fāng jù

Among the old Chinese operas, this refers to those that are enjoyed in a limited area, as opposed to the nationally influential theater styles such as Peking Opera. The concept is said to have originated in the mid-18th century, when the elegant section (Kunqu) was differentiated and given superiority over the floral section (Yiyang, Bangzi, etc.). Statistics from before the Cultural Revolution counted 348 types of Han Chinese, 28 types of ethnic minority, and 63 types of puppet theater and shadow play. Singing is important in old operas, and is also used in modern dramas. The singing style is said to have come from five systems: Kunqu, Yiyang, Pihuang, Bangzi, and Liuzi.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

中国の旧劇中，京劇などの全国的に影響力をもつ演劇に対し，限られた地域で愛好されるものを指す。この概念は18世紀中ごろ，雅部(崑曲)を花部(弋陽（よくよう），梆子（ほうし）等)と区別して優越させたのに始まるという。文化大革命前の統計で，漢族348種，少数民族28種，人形劇，影絵芝居63種を数える。旧劇は歌唱が重要で現代劇にも用いられる。その歌調は崑曲，弋陽，皮黄，梆子，柳子（せなぎ）の5系統よりきたとされる。

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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