Plays · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in Plays by Zeami Motokiyo.
Yamanba
major
Also known as Yamanba The Mountain She-Devil, Yamauba, Hyakma Yamauba
The mountain witch, central figure of the play, encountered by travelers.
Atsumori
major
Also known as Lord Atsumori
The young warrior ghost, central figure of the play, seeking salvation.
Suma Genji
major
Also known as Shite, Genji
The exiled prince, protagonist of the Suma Genji play, reflecting on his past.
Priest Rensei
supporting
Also known as Priest, Rensei
A traveling priest who encounters spirits and guides them toward enlightenment.
The Waki
supporting
Also known as Waki, Nishikigi
The secondary character, often a priest or traveler, who witnesses the main action.
Tomonari
minor
A character in the plays, possibly a warrior or attendant, with limited presence.
The Tsure
supporting
Also known as Tsure, Tsure Aie
The companion character, often accompanying the main shite in a play.
Yugiri
minor
A character appearing in the plays, possibly a spirit or noble figure.
Priest
minor
Also known as the Priest, the priest
A generic priest figure appearing in multiple plays, often as a traveler.
Servant
minor
A servant character, likely an attendant in one of the plays.
Sovran
minor
A ruler or sovereign figure mentioned in the plays, possibly a historical reference.
Shite Cho
supporting
Also known as Shite, the Shite
The main character of a play, possibly a female spirit or deity.
God of Sumiyoshi
minor
Also known as Sumiyoshi, Illustrious God
A deity associated with Sumiyoshi, appearing as a divine presence.
Young Sakura
minor
Also known as Sakura
A character associated with cherry blossoms, possibly a spirit or young woman.
Wife
minor
A wife character, likely in a domestic scene within one of the plays.
Kumagai
supporting
Also known as Kumagai no Naozane
A warrior character, possibly in the Atsumori play, with a historical role.
Genji Hikaru
minor
Also known as Genji
The Shining Genji, a legendary figure referenced in the plays.
Dame
minor
A lady or noblewoman appearing in one of the plays.
Amida Buddha
minor
Also known as the Buddha, Amida, Buddha
The Buddha, invoked as a spiritual presence in the plays.
Tsurayuki
minor
A historical poet, possibly referenced as a character or allusion.
Second Shite
minor
Also known as the Shite
A secondary main character in a play, possibly a different manifestation.
Aborasetsu
minor
A character with limited presence, possibly a demon or spirit.
Hosonuno
minor
A character, possibly a cloth or weaving-related figure in a play.
Tsure Kiri
minor
Also known as Kiri, Tsure
A companion character, possibly in the Nishikigi play.
Old Woman
minor
Also known as Mad Woman
An elderly or mad female character appearing in a play.
Reaper
minor
A death figure, possibly personified in one of the plays.
Murakami
minor
A historical or legendary figure referenced in the plays.
