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.
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.
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.
The kouta of the Muromachi period became the origin of later ko-uta and ha-uta.
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.