Crafts - Creations

A term used in Noh and Kyogen. A simple or symbolic stage set. It is a term used in contrast to props that are made once, preserved, and used repeatedly, and refers to something that is made anew for each performance. Nowadays, props are often preserved as well. They are brought onto the stage by the guardian and removed when they are no longer needed. They are made of bamboo frameworks and often wrapped in bandage-like white cloth. The boat in "Funabenkei" and the oxcart in "Kumano" are simple objects that only show their outlines, but they have an excellent dramatic effect of changing scenes and dividing spaces. The tomb in "Teika" and the shack in the wilderness in "Kurozuka" are used to make characters appear on stage in a stationary state, and the guardian lowers a covering called a "hikimawashi" to reveal the shite. There are also standing wooden platforms, such as the pine tree in "Hagoromo" and the cherry tree in "Yoshino Tennin." While miniature props such as the tide-drawing cart in "Matsukaze" and the bell tower in "Mii-dera" are used to add beauty to the stage, there are also dynamic examples such as the life-sized bell in "Dojoji" which is hoisted up on stage and then instantly dropped, engulfing the figure of the shite who jumped in. Life-like bows, arrows, rakes, brooms, and offerings that the actors use are all props, as are the thousand-striped spider's threads in "Tsuchigumo", which are thrown by the shite and are expendable items on stage. The production of props is the responsibility of the shite.

[Masuda Shozo]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

能と狂言の用語。簡素な、あるいは象徴的な舞台装置。一度製作して保存し反復使用する小道具に対することばで、上演のたびに新しくつくられるものという意味。現在では作り物も保存されることが多い。後見によって舞台に持ち出され、不用になると引いてしまう。竹で骨組をつくり、多く包帯状の白い布を巻く。『船弁慶』の舟、『熊野(ゆや)』の牛車(ぎっしゃ)などは輪郭を示すだけの単純なものだが、場面を変え、空間をくぎる優れた演出効果がある。『定家(ていか)』の塚、『黒塚(くろづか)』の荒野のあばら家などは人物を静止の状態で舞台に登場させるために用い、引回しという覆いを後見が下ろしてシテの姿を現す。『羽衣』の松、『吉野天人』の桜などの立ち木台もある。『松風』の潮汲(しおく)み車、『三井寺(みいでら)』の鐘楼などミニチュア化されて舞台に美観を添える作り物の一方、『道成寺(どうじょうじ)』の実物大の鐘は舞台につり上げられ、飛び込んだシテの姿を飲み込んだまま瞬時に落下させるなど、ダイナミックに用いられる例もある。役者が手にとって使用する、実物に近い弓、矢、熊手(くまで)、箒(ほうき)、幣(へい)なども、また、シテによって投げられ舞台の消耗品である『土蜘蛛(つちぐも)』の千筋の蜘蛛(くも)の糸も作り物である。なお、作り物の制作はシテ方の職責である。

［増田正造］

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