also: しびょうし
noun
quadruple time; four-four time; common time
Music term for a meter with four beats per measure, typically 4/4 time. Used in Western music contexts as well as in traditional Japanese music.
この曲は四拍子で書かれている。
This piece is written in quadruple time.
四拍子のリズムに合わせて踊る。
Dance to the rhythm of four-four time.
noun
the four instruments of noh accompaniment
Specifically refers to the four instruments used in the hayashi ensemble of noh and related traditional theater: flute (笛), floor drum (大鼓), small hand drum (小鼓), and large hand drum (太鼓).
See also: 囃子 (はやし) · 笛 (ふえ) · 大鼓 (おおつづみ) · 小鼓 (こつづみ) · 太鼓 (たいこ)
能楽では、四拍子が演奏の中心となる。
In noh, the four instruments form the core of the musical accompaniment.
四拍子の囃子が舞台に緊張感を与える。
The four-instrument hayashi adds tension to the stage.
Compound of 四 (four) and 拍子 (beat, rhythm, time). The reading よんびょうし uses the common kun'yomi for 四 and the standard on'yomi for 拍子. The alternate reading しびょうし uses the on'yomi for 四, which is less frequent in modern speech.