Songs, narrations, and dances are what makes Noh drama a performance. I think it is best if you think of it as a Japanese opera.
| シテ（SHITE） | Leading role in a Noh drama. It is the origin of the word SHITEKABU (a stock favored by speculators) in the stock market |
| ワキ（WAKI） | As you can see (to Japanese people), it means supporting role. Mostly this role progresses the story. |
| 狂言（KYOUGEN） | A Noh drama is formed by NOH and KYOUGEN (Noh farce). Between a NOH and NOH a song of KYOUGEN which is independent from the NOH is performed, and most of the time the songs are comical stories. Between the first half and second half, which is called an AI, they talk about the first half of the play (AIGATARI) spoken in the tone of language that people spoke back in the days when Noh stories were made, or they play a role that neither a SHITE nor WAKI cannot play. |
| 囃子（HAYASHI） | It accompanies the Noh dance. The HAYASHI consists of the flute, small hand drums, big hand drums, and a big drum. Some songs do not have drums in them. |
| 地謡（JIUTAI） | It is the chorus that the SHITEKATA perform, and it is a part explaining and showing us the scene or action in the drama. |
| 後見（KOUKEN） | It is a part that the SHITEKATA play. At times they take in/out stage properties, are the prompter, or help wear costumes. And once the performance starts, they are in charge of everything that is going on the stage. It is an important part because if the SHITE suddenly fails to play, it is the KOUKEN’s job to play the part of the SHITE. |
| Specialized into SHITE-KATA / WAKI-KATA / HAYASHI-KATA (a flute or a Nohkan flute; a special flute used for NOH made from bamboo / small hand drum / big hand drum / big drum) / KYOUGEN-KATA, and each have their own ways or styles. SHITE-KATA has five styles; KANZE style, HOUSHOU style, KOMPARU style, KONGOU style, and KITA style. | |
