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butai

Butai, written in Japanese as 舞台, is the term for the stage or performance area used in theatre and related performing arts. The word is formed from the kanji for “dance” (舞) and “platform” or “stage” (台), emphasizing its role as the space where performances unfold.

In common usage, butai refers to the raised area before an audience, distinct from the seating area

Japanese theatre often invokes specific stage-related concepts associated with butai. In kabuki, for example, the hanamichi

Stages come in several architectural types, including proscenium, thrust, and black-box configurations, and butai is the

Today, butai remains central to contemporary Japanese performance, appearing in theatre criticism, scholarly discussions of stagecraft,

(客席)
and
from
backstage
spaces.
The
term
encompasses
both
the
physical
space
of
the
stage
and
the
practice
of
stagecraft,
including
lighting,
sound,
scenery,
and
actor
movement.
In
addition
to
general
theatre,
butai
is
used
in
dance,
musical
performances,
and
other
live
productions.
(花道)
is
a
long,
narrow
platform
that
extends
into
the
audience
to
facilitate
dramatic
entrances
and
entrances.
Backstage
areas
(舞台裏)
and
various
mechanical
or
technical
features
(舞台機構)
such
as
lifts,
trapdoors,
and
rigging
are
integral
to
the
functioning
of
the
butai.
overarching
term
for
the
stage
area
regardless
of
form.
The
butai
also
serves
as
a
focus
for
design
disciplines
such
as
butai美術
(stage
art),
light
design,
and
stage
management,
all
coordinated
to
realize
a
production.
and
everyday
theatre
practice.
It
functions
as
both
physical
space
and
cultural
concept
tied
to
live
performance.