dōkegata; kabuki jester
A kabuki role type specializing in comic or clownish performance. The term is domain-specific to traditional Japanese theater.
Dōkegata refers to actors who play comical roles in kabuki.
Standard kanji spelling for this kabuki role.
Variant kanji spelling; less common than 道化方.
The term is composed of 道化 (dōke, 'clowning' or 'buffoonery') and 方 (kata, 'role' or 'person in charge'), referring to the kabuki actor specializing in comic roles. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.