revolving stage mechanism (kabuki)
A kabuki stage device: a section of the stage floor rotates backward 90 degrees to reveal the next scene. A specialized theatrical term.
On the kabuki stage, they use the revolving mechanism to change scenes quickly.
It is said that the revolving stage mechanism was originally named after the mechanism of a revolving lantern.
Most common modern spelling, though the word itself is a specialized term.
Alternate kanji form using 龕灯 (a type of lantern), reflecting the original mechanism's resemblance to a revolving lantern. Rarely used.
Archaic spelling with 燈 (old form of 灯). It is out-dated kanji usage.
Kana-mixed spelling sometimes seen in explanations, using がんどう for the first part.
Literally 'lantern reversal'. Named after the 龕灯 (a revolving lantern) because the stage mechanism's backward rotation resembles the lantern's movement. The kanji 強盗 (robber) is ateji used for its sound.