noun
Heian court lady's song; kouta (accompanying ōuta)
Historical term for a song sung by court ladies during the Heian period, performed as accompaniment to the men's ōuta. The singer herself could also be referred to as 小歌.
See also: 大歌
平安時代の宮中では、小歌が大歌に合わせて歌われた。
In the Heian-era court, the kouta was sung to accompany the ōuta.
noun
popular short song; ditty; ballad (Muromachi to early Edo)
Refers to short, catchy popular songs from the Muromachi period through the early Edo period. Later developed into forms like 小唄 and 端唄.
室町時代の小歌は、のちの小唄や端唄の源流となった。
The kouta of the Muromachi period became the origin of later ko-uta and ha-uta.
noun
kyogen kouta; love ballad in kyogen
A style of song in kyogen theater, based on Muromachi-period popular songs, often dealing with love themes.
狂言の小歌には、恋の情を歌ったものが多い。
Many kyogen kouta are songs about love.
noun
noh kouta; unusual noh song style
An uncommon style of song in noh theater, also derived from Muromachi-period popular songs.
能の小歌は、通常の謡とは異なる珍しい形式である。
The noh kouta is an unusual form that differs from standard noh chanting.
Another later form derived from the kouta, popular in the Edo period, typically shorter and lighter.
Literally 'small song' (小 'small' + 歌 'song'), contrasting with 大歌 ('large song'). The exact historical derivation of the musical forms is uncertain.