long musical segment in Noh
A specific term in Noh theater: a long, musically highlighted segment that forms the climax of a play.
The kuse in Noh is a highlight where the instrumental ensemble and chanting come together.
Used as a prefix in compounds like 曲者 (くせもの, 'suspicious person') to indicate something amiss or not right. Not used as a standalone adjective.
See also: 曲者
The 曲 in 曲者 expresses the meaning of 'wrong' or 'suspicious'.
crookedness; something not right; unlawfulness; calamity
recitative dance; kusemai
closed curve
Koch curve; Koch snowflake; Koch island
Usually written in kana; the katakana spelling is common in Noh contexts.
Kanji form is rare and may be confused with other readings like きょく.
The Noh term is a specialized use of 曲 (くせ), originally meaning 'bend' or 'twist', referring to the musical curve or highlight. The prefix use derives from the idea of something being bent or not straight, hence 'wrong' or 'improper'.