囃子(はやし)

はやし
noun
musical accompaniment (in traditional performing arts)
spokenleisure
1. musical accompaniment in traditional performing arts
The instrumental ensemble or musical accompaniment used in traditional Japanese performing arts such as Noh, Kabuki, and festival performances. Typically features flute and drums.
囃子(はやし)の音(ね)が聞(き)こえる。
I can hear the sound of the musical accompaniment.
能(のう)の舞台(ぶたい)では囃子(はやし)が重要(じゅうよう)な役割(やくわり)を果(は)たす。
In Noh performances, the musical accompaniment plays an important role.
祭(まつ)りの囃子(はやし)が通(とお)りに響(ひび)き渡(わた)り、子供(こども)たちが駆(か)け寄(よ)ってきた。
The festival music echoed through the streets, and children came running over.

Usage: 囃子(はやし) refers specifically to the instrumental ensemble in traditional Japanese performing arts. It is not used for Western-style musical accompaniment, which would be 伴奏(ばんそう).

Common collocations

  • 囃子(はやし)の音(ね) (sound of the accompaniment)
  • 祭(まつ)り囃子(ばやし) (festival music) — note the voicing: はやし → ばやし
  • 能(のう)囃子(ばやし) (Noh accompaniment)
  • 囃子方(はやしかた) (musicians in the ensemble)

The standard Noh 囃子(はやし) ensemble consists of four instruments: 笛(ふえ) (flute), 小鼓(こつづみ) (small hand drum), 大鼓(おおつづみ) (large hand drum), and 太鼓(たいこ) (stick drum). In compounds, the reading often voices to ばやし (rendaku).

Related Words

Compare: 伴奏(ばんそう) (Western-style accompaniment)
general
Added 2026.3.3 20:18 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
14500/14749_hayashi