Britannica Sources used in this answer

How did music function in Kabuki dance scenes?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

woodcut: samisen player — Japanese music Courtesan playing a samisen, Japanese woodcut print.

In Kabuki theatre, music is categorized into onstage (debayashi) and offstage (geza) performances, both of which are essential to the atmosphere of dance scenes.12

Onstage Music

Onstage musicians, typically consisting of nagauta singers, samisen players, and the hayashi ensemble, are positioned on a riser or floor level to accompany the dancer. The music often follows a tripartite structure:2
* Jo (deha): Includes introductory instrumental or vocal parts and the dancer's entrance (michiyuki).2
* Ha (chūha): Features lyrical sections (kudoki), storytelling (monogatari), and the main dance (odori ji).2
* Kyū (iriha): Comprises more active music (chirashi) leading to the final cadence (dangire).2

Offstage Music

Offstage music, or geza, is performed from a hidden room to reinforce stage action, set the mood, or indicate location. Using drums, bells, and gongs, this music provides naturalistic sound effects—such as waves or echoes—and uses specific songs to signal settings, helping to create a total theatrical atmosphere.1