Actor - yakusha

Originally, it was a word referring to people who played special roles in rituals such as Shinto and Buddhist ceremonies, but after the medieval Sarugaku, it became the name of performers in theatrical arts. In the old days, it also included musicians, but eventually it became limited to performers. The Complete Book of Actors (published in 1774) states, "The title "Actor" refers to the person who plays each role, regardless of the number of roles. Therefore, there is the title "Actor" in the Buddhist school. However, when it comes to "Actor," it is limited to those who perform Kyogen in the theater." During the Genroku period (1688-1704), it is known that Kabuki performers were called actors, geisha, and officials, but it seems that gradually it was unified to "Actor." Sarugaku and Kabuki actors were considered to be of low social status, so the title "actor" became common as the status of performers improved in modern times. However, throughout the Edo period, the title "actor" was familiar to the masses, and performers themselves were proud of it. One example of this is that the book of reviews of performance arts and crafts, which was published every year, was named "Actor Review Record."

[Yukio Hattori]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

本来は神事・仏会(ぶつえ)などの祭祀(さいし)儀礼に際して特別な役を受け持つ人をさすことばだったが、中世の猿楽(さるがく)以後、舞台芸能における演技者の名称になった。古くは囃子方(はやしかた)も含めていたが、やがて演技者に限るようになった。『役者全書』（1774刊）に「役者といへる号は、何役でも、それぞれの役を勤むる者を役者と称す。されば仏家にも役者の名あり。しかるに役者といへば戯場(しばい)の狂言をなす者に限ることになりたり」とある。元禄(げんろく)年間（1688～1704）には、歌舞伎(かぶき)の演者のことを役者、芸者、役人などとよんだことが知られるが、しだいに「役者」に統一されたらしい。猿楽役者、歌舞伎役者が社会的に卑賤(ひせん)な身分の者とされていたため、近代以降における演者の地位向上とともに「俳優」の称が一般的になった。しかし、江戸時代を通じて、「役者」の称号は大衆に親しまれ、演者自身も「役者」の称に誇りをもっていた。毎年出版され続けた技芸評判の本を『役者評判記』と名づけたのはその表れの一例となる。

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