Tachiyaku (立役, alt.tateyaku[1]) is a term used in the Japanese theatrical formkabuki to refer to young adult male roles, and to the actors who play those roles. Though not alltachiyaku roles are heroes, the term does not encompass roles such asvillains orcomic figures, which form their own separate categories. The hero or chief protagonist of a kabuki play is nearly always atachiyaku role, and the head of a troupe or acting family typically specializes in these roles.
The term, which literally means "standing role", once was used to refer to all actors, to distinguish them from musicians and chanters, who were calledjigata (地方, lit. "earth person", i.e. someone who sits).[2]
There are two main types oftachiyaku role:
There are also a number of lesser categories oftachiyaku roles, includingshinbōya (mild-mannered characters who are defined by their suffering great cruelty, usually at the hands of the play's villain) andsabakiyaku (level-headed, wise, and thoughtful characters, often serving as judges or the like). These are lesser roles, very rarely if ever serving as the chief protagonist or hero of a play.[3]
While there are a number ofonnagata (female role specialists) who are particularly famous, most of the other top actors of both past and present specialize(d) intachiyaku roles. This includes the lineages ofIchikawa Danjūrō,Ichikawa Ebizō,Nakamura Kanzaburō,Onoe Kikugorō, and many others.