Roppo (Roppo)

Japanese: 六方(六法) - ろっぽう

A term used in Kabuki and Bunraku puppet theatre. A performance that involves large movements of the arms and legs. As the verbs "shake" and "step" accompany the word, it is based on waving the hands and stepping firmly on the feet. There are various theories about its meaning. Since ancient times, movements such as "training" and "running" have been seen in records of rituals and performing arts, and there was also a ritual of "calming" called "Rokupo no Gi." Based on the above traditions, the meaning of the word as a Kabuki performance technique can be understood as moving the hands in the six directions of heaven, earth, east, west, north and south. When moving forward, the feet should be on the same side as the hands, such as the left foot and left hand, or the right foot and right hand.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

歌舞伎，人形浄瑠璃の演技･演出用語。手足を大きく動かす演技。〈振る〉〈踏む〉の動詞を伴うように，手を振り，足を踏みしめることを基本にする。語義については種々の説がある。古来から祭祀や芸能の記録に〈練る〉〈走る〉と称する動きがみられ，また〈六方の儀〉と称する〈鎮め〉の儀式があった。歌舞伎の演技術としての意は，以上の伝承に立って，天地東西南北の六方向に手を動かすことと解してよかろう。前へ進むときの足は，左足と左手，右足と右手のごとく，手と同じ側を出す。

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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