Learning the language of the art form you’re passionate about can deepen your understanding and appreciation for it. If you’re interested in Japanese theatre and performance arts, familiarizing yourself with key phrases can enhance your experience whether you’re an artist, a crew member, or audience. Here are some essential Japanese phrases that will help you navigate the vibrant world of Japanese theatre and performance arts.

幕 (maku)
Meaning: Curtain (in a theatre context)
今日の公演は何時に幕が開きますか。
(When does the curtain rise for today’s performance?)

舞台 (butai)
Meaning: Stage
彼は舞台の上でとても自然に振る舞います。
(He acts very naturally on stage.)

観客 (kankyaku)
Meaning: Audience
今夜の観客は特に熱心に見ていました。
(The audience was particularly attentive tonight.)

役者 (yakusha)
Meaning: Actor/Actress
彼は日本で最も有名な役者の一人です。
(He is one of the most famous actors in Japan.)

衣装 (ishou)
Meaning: Costume
彼女の衣装はその時代のものを忠実に再現しています。
(Her costume faithfully reproduces that of the period.)

演技 (engi)
Meaning: Acting; Performance
彼の演技はいつも心を打つものがあります。
(His performance is always moving.)

台詞 (serifu)
Meaning: Lines; Script
この台詞を覚えるのに一晩中かかりました。
(It took me all night to memorize these lines.)

照明 (shoumei)
Meaning: Lighting
照明はこのシーンの雰囲気を作り出しています。
(The lighting creates the atmosphere for this scene.)

音響 (onkyou)
Meaning: Acoustics; Sound
音響チームがすばらしい仕事をしました。
(The sound team did a fantastic job.)

小道具 (kodougu)
Meaning: Props
小道具を舞台の端に置いてください。
(Please place the props at the edge of the stage.)

リハーサル (rihaasararu)
Meaning: Rehearsal
私たちは明日から本番前の最後のリハーサルに入ります。
(We go into final rehearsals before the show starts from tomorrow.)

劇団 (gekidan)
Meaning: Theatre company; Troupe
彼は有名な劇団に所属しています。
(He belongs to a famous theatre company.)

専門用語 (senmon yougo)
Meaning: Technical term; Jargon
役者たちは専門用語を使って効果的にコミュニケーションを取ります。
(Actors use technical terms to communicate effectively.)

おじぎ (ojigi)
Meaning: Bow (a sign of respect or gratitude in Japanese culture)
観客に感謝を示すために、役者たちはカーテンコールでおじぎをします。
(Actors bow during the curtain call to show gratitude to the audience.)

アンコール (ankooru)
Meaning: Encore
観客がアンコールを求めると、彼らはもう一度舞台に上がった。
(When the audience asked for an encore, they came back onto the stage again.)

Grasping these terms not only aids in practical communication within the Japanese theatre setting but also enriches the cultural experience. Whether you’re engaging directly with a Japanese-speaking audience or participating in a performance, these phrases will serve as a bridge connecting you to the rich traditions of Japanese theatre and performance arts.