noun
low-class kabuki actor; actor in cheap theater
A kabuki term for an actor of low rank or one who performs in inexpensive, low-status theaters. The word is specific to traditional theater contexts and is not used for modern actors.
彼は緞帳役者から身を起こして、ついに大舞台に立った。
He started as a low-class kabuki actor and finally stood on the grand stage.
A high-ranking kabuki actor, in contrast to 緞帳役者 which refers to a low-class actor.
From 緞帳 (donchō, 'act curtain') + 役者 (yakusha, 'actor'), referring to actors who appear only before the curtain rises or in minor roles, hence low status.