子こ方かた

noun

child actor in noh; child's role in noh dance

Specialized term in noh theater for a child performer or the role they play. Not used outside this context.

• 能のう楽がくでは、子こ方かたが演えんじる役やくは神かみや貴き人じんの霊れいなど特とく別べつな存そん在ざいであることが多おおい。

  In noh, the roles played by child actors are often special beings such as gods or spirits of noble persons.

noun

henchman; follower

Rare historical term for a subordinate or follower, often contrasted with 親方 (master, boss). Not used in modern Japanese outside historical or period contexts.

See also: 親方

• 江え戸ど時じ代だいの職しょく人にん組そ織しきでは、親おや方かたの下したに子こ方かたがついて技ぎ術じゅつを学まなんだ。

  In Edo-period artisan groups, apprentices (子方) learned skills under a master (親方).