Scenery and Props in Traditional Japanese Theatres 　大・小道具

Currently this research site is limited to four of the traditional forms of Japanese theatre: noh, kyōgen, puppetry, and kabuki. GloPAC would welcome contributions for other types of Japanese performing arts. To contribute, please contact GloPAC.

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General Definitions

Scenery (ōdōgu 大道具): Deliberate depictions of locales (and atmosphere) where stage actions occur. May be evoked textually, kinetically, visually, aurally, and in fewer instances, olfactorily and tactually. (See also scenery sub-units vocabulary page)

Props (properties, threatrical properties, hand props, kodōgu 小道具, tedōgu 手道具,): Physical or mimed objects manipulated by actors. (See also Definitions of Props page)

Contents of this Research Module

Introduction: Setting the Stage in the Japanese Performing Arts

Performances spaces for traditional Japanese performing arts

Illustrations of noh props (both set pieces and hand props)

Noh props vocabulary (both set pieces and hand props)

Painting Scenery at the Kabukiza

Scenic techniques in noh and kabuki

Kabuki set designs: Browse kabuki set designs on GloPAD

Kabuki properties: Browse kabuki properties on GloPAD