also: くろこ
noun
kabuki stagehand in black; stage assistant dressed in black
In kabuki, a stagehand dressed entirely in black who moves props and assists actors, traditionally considered 'invisible' to the audience.
歌舞伎では、黒子が舞台の上で小道具を動かす。
In kabuki, the kurogo moves props on stage.
noun
behind-the-scenes manipulator; string-puller; hidden supporter
Figurative extension: a person who works unseen to influence events or support someone, like a puppeteer or secret advisor.
彼は会社の黒子として、重要な決定を裏で支えている。
He works behind the scenes at the company, supporting important decisions.
舞台裏 means 'backstage' in a general sense, while 黒子 specifically refers to the person in black who works on stage.
Standard kanji form for the kabuki stagehand and the extended figurative sense.
Rare reading; くろご is the standard pronunciation.
Alternate kanji spelling, literally 'black clothes', used in kabuki contexts.
From 黒 (kuro, 'black') + 子 (ko, 'child' or 'person'), referring to the all-black costume worn by kabuki stagehands. The reading くろご is a rendaku form of くろこ.