Nō and Kyōgen Rare Materials Digital Collections

Nō Chant Books

Utaibon, or chant books, are a type of book focused solely on indicating chanting instructions, with no stage directions or dance choreography. Syllables are indicated by dots (sometimes called “sesame” dots), and detailed chanting instructions or musical notations, such as rhythm and pitch, are marked on the right side of the lines. As professional nō actors started to give lessons to aristocrats, warriors, and townspeople, practicing nō chant became one way of appreciating nō while serving as proof of training and personal accomplishment. In earlier days, amateur connoisseurs had to collect hand-copied manuscripts of utaibon, but the introduction of woodblock printing and movable type made mass production possible in later years. Kōetsu utaibon show that the utaibon publishing culture matured so far as to produce a series of books aesthetically appealing to collectors, while their practical purpose is rather diminished. Utaibon with reasonable prices were also printed and widely circulated, again indicating how familiar people had become with regular nō chanting. Today, utaibon continue to be published for both professional performers and amateurs under the authorization of the heads (iemoto) of the nō schools.

  • image:NK00014
    Title:
    Nō Chant Books Attributed to Kanze Kojirō Nobumitsu
    Title (jp):
    Den Kanze Kojirō Nobumitsu hitsu utaibon  伝観世小次郎信光筆謡本
    Description:
    13 x 19 cm (chūhon), fukurotoji binding. The books are attributed to Kanze Kojirō Nobumitsu (1451?-1516), a playwright and hip drum player of the Kanze troupe, according to the colophon by Kanze Shigenori signed in 1713 (Shōtoku 3). Although its attribution to Nobumitsu remains doubtful today, the collection includes 100 plays which are valuable as rare extant materials from the Sengoku period (late 15th-late 16th century). Motifs and landscapes linked to each play are painted with gold on the covers. Former collection of the Date family.
    Collection name:
    Noh Theatre Research Institute
    Volume:
    100
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  • image:NL19
    Title:
    Nō Chant Books by Konparu Zenpō (Taema, Hyakuman)
    Title (jp):
    Konparu Zenpō jihitsubon (Taema, Hyakuman)  金春禅鳳自筆本　当摩・百万
    Description:
    19.7 x 13.6 cm, fukurotoji binding. Written by Konparu Zenpō (1454-?), a playwright and grandson of Konparu Zenchiku (1405-1470?). The book records chanting instructions for the plays Hyakuman and Taema. Formerly owned by Shimotsuma Shōshin.
    Collection name:
    Noh Theatre Research Institute
    Volume:
    1
  • image:NL2143
    Title:
    Nō Chant Scrolls by Konparu Zenpō (Yoshino Shizuka, Sumidagawa, Jinen koji, Dōjōji, Hōkazō)
    Title (jp):
    Konparu Zenpō jihitsubon (Yoshino Shizuka, Sumidagawa, Jinen koji, Dōjōji, Hōkazō)  金春禅鳳自筆本　吉野静・隅田川・自然居士・道成寺・放下僧
    Description:
    A set of 5 handscrolls, paper height 17.7-17.8 cm. At the end of each scroll there is the signature “Takeda Konparu / Hada no Motoyasu,” with his kaō (“seal mark”). Based on this signature, it is assumed that he composed the scrolls before taking the name of Konparu Zenpō.
    Collection name:
    Noh Theatre Research Institute
    Volume:
    5
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  • image:ZU_001
    Title:
    Nō Chant Scroll by Konparu Zenpō (Yōkihi)
    Title (jp):
    Konparu Zenpō jihitsubon (Yōkihi)  金春禅鳳自筆本　楊貴妃
    Description:
    Handscroll, paper height 19.0 cm. The signature is “Takeda Konparu / Zenpō.”
    Collection name:
    Hosei University Kōzan Collection
    Volume:
    1
  • image:ZU_002
    Title:
    Nō Chant Scroll by Konparu Zenpō (Yuya)
    Title (jp):
    Konparu Zenpō jihitsubon (Yuya)  金春禅鳳自筆本　遊屋
    Description:
    Handscroll, paper width 18.6 cm. The scroll notes chanting instructions for Yuya (more commonly written as 熊野, but written as 遊屋 here). Although the scroll lacks a signature, the handwriting is presumed to be that of Konparu Zenpō. Former collection of the Mōri family.
    Collection name:
    Hosei University Kōzan Collection
    Volume:
    1
  • image:ZU_003
    Title:
    Nō Chant Scroll by Konparu Zenpō (Miwa)
    Title (jp):
    Konparu Zenpō jihitsubon (Miwa)  金春禅鳳自筆本　三輪
    Description:
    Handscroll, paper height 16.8 cm. Although without a signature, the scroll is attributed to Konparu Zenpō.
    Collection name:
    Hosei University Kōzan Collection
    Volume:
    1
  • image:ZU_004
    Title:
    Nō Chant Book by Konparu Zenpō (Gendayū)
    Title (jp):
    Konparu Zenpō jihitsubon (Gendayū)  金春禅鳳自筆本　源太夫
    Description:
    Ōgatabon, fukurotoji binding. The book records only the last part of the play, the kiri scene. Although without a signature, it is attributed to Konparu Zenpō. Former collection of the Mōri family.
    Collection name:
    Hosei University Kōzan Collection
    Volume:
    1
  • image:ZU_005
    Title:
    Nō Chant Scroll by Konparu Zenpō (Tadanori)
    Title (jp):
    Konparu Zenpō jihitsubon (Tadanori)  金春禅鳳自筆本　忠度
    Description:
    Handscroll, paper height 18.8 cm. The signature is “Takeda Konparu / Zenpō.”
    Collection name:
    Hannyakutsu Collection
    Volume:
    1
  • image:ZU_006
    Title:
    Nō Scroll by Konparu Zenpō (Sanemori)
    Title (jp):
    Konparu Zenpō jihitsubon (Sanemori)  金春禅鳳自筆本　実盛
    Description:
    Handscroll, paper height 18.8 cm. The scroll lacks chanting instructions. The signature is “Takeda Konparu / Zenpō.”
    Collection name:
    Hannyakutsu Collection
    Volume:
    1
  • image:ZU_007
    Title:
    Nō Chant Scroll by Konparu Zenpō (Miwa)
    Title (jp):
    Konparu Zenpō jihitsubon (Miwa)  金春禅鳳自筆本　三輪
    Description:
    Handscroll, paper height 16.7 cm. The signature is “Zenpō.”
    Collection name:
    Hannyakutsu Collection
    Volume:
    1
  • image:ZU_008
    Title:
    Nō Chant Scroll by Konparu Zenpō (Teika)
    Title (jp):
    Konparu Zenpō jihitsubon (Teika)  金春禅鳳自筆本　定家
    Description:
    Handscroll, paper height 24.0 cm. Although it lacks a signature, the colophon and writing style are those of Zenpō.
    Collection name:
    Hannyakutsu Collection
    Volume:
    1
  • image:ZU_009
    Title:
    Nō Chant Scroll by Konparu Zenpō (Taema)
    Title (jp):
    Konparu Zenpō jihitsubon (Taema)  金春禅鳳自筆本　当麻
    Description:
    Handscroll, paper height 19.7 cm. Although it is without a signature, Konparu Yoshikatsu (1510-1583, a.k.a. Gyūren), Zenpō’s grandson, certifies that the scroll is by Zenpō in a kiwamegaki (“written appraisal”) attached to the scroll.
    Collection name:
    Hannyakutsu Collection
    Volume:
    1
  • image:ZU_010
    Title:
    Nō Chant Scroll by Konparu Zenpō (Tōbōsaku)
    Title (jp):
    Konparu Zenpō jihitsubon (Tōbōsaku)  金春禅鳳自筆本　東方朔
    Description:
    Handscroll, paper height 17.5 cm. Although it is without a signature, the writing is attributed to Zenpō.
    Collection name:
    Hannyakutsu Collection
    Volume:
    1
  • image:ZU_011
    Title:
    Nō Chant Scroll by Konparu Zenpō (Kantan)
    Title (jp):
    Konparu Zenpō jihitsubon (Kantan)  金春禅鳳自筆本　邯鄲
    Description:
    Handscroll, paper height 16.3 cm. Although it is without a signature, the writing is attributed to Zenpō. On the back of the scroll, a pillow under the roof of a lodging—the main motif of the play Kantan—is painted in gold.
    Collection name:
    Hannyakutsu Collection
    Volume:
    1
  • image:US_001
    Title:
    Nō Chant Book Copied from Konparu Zenpō's Manuscript (Ikarikazuki)
    Title (jp):
    Konparu Zenpō jihitsubon tenshabon (Ikarikazuki)  金春禅鳳自筆本転写本　碇潜
    Description:
    26.0 x 19.5 cm, karitojibon. The colophon is dated with the 16th day of the 12th month of 1510 (Eishō 7) by Konparu Hachirō Motoyasu [Zenpō] and includes his kaō (“seal mark”). This book is copied from Zenpō’s original manuscript.
    Collection name:
    Hannyakutsu Collection
    Volume:
    1
  • image:ZU_012
    Title:
    Nō Chant Scroll Copied from Konparu Zenpō's Manuscript (Inori section from Ningyō)
    Title (jp):
    Konparu Zenpō jihitsubon tenshabon (Ningyō no inori)  金春禅鳳自筆本転写本　人形之祈
    Description:
    Handscroll, paper height 26.5 cm. It includes the inori section from the play Ningyō, the shodō (“first chorus”) section from the plays Tōei and Kakitsubata, the kuse section from Yuzuriha, and chant excerpts from Fudō.
    Collection name:
    Hannyakutsu Collection
    Volume:
    1
  • image:KT
    Title:
    Kōetsu Chant Book, "Tokuseibon"
    Title (jp):
    Kōetsu utaibon tokuseibon  光悦謡本(特製本)
    Description:
    Hanshibon (approx. 24 x 17 cm), decchōsō binding. Movable type (kokatsuji) print, Keichō period (1596-1615). This set of 100 books is named after the calligraphic style of Hon’ami Kōetsu (1558-1637), a craftsman versatile in calligraphy, lacquerware, pottery, swords, and other arts. Among the multiple confirmed versions of Kōetsu chant books, this “tokuseibon” is known for its graceful book design, with mica embellished on the covers and main pages.
    Collection name:
    Hosei University Kōzan Collection
    Volume:
    100
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