child actor in noh; child's role in noh dance
Specialized term in noh theater for a child performer or the role they play. Not used outside this context.
能楽では、子方が演じる役は神や貴人の霊など特別な存在であることが多い。
In noh, the roles played by child actors are often special beings such as gods or spirits of noble persons.
Rare historical term for a subordinate or follower, often contrasted with 親方 (master, boss). Not used in modern Japanese outside historical or period contexts.
See also: 親方
In Edo-period artisan groups, apprentices (子方) learned skills under a master (親方).
子方 refers to the apprentice or disciple under a 親方 in traditional trade hierarchies, the opposite role in the relationship.
Compound of 子 (child, small) and 方 (person, side). The noh sense is a direct extension of 'child person'. The henchman sense likely developed from the idea of a junior or subordinate person in a hierarchical group.