Shōdan
小段 しょうだん
総合
能狂言
Shōdan (小段) are sub-units of a dan. Shōdan are defined according to the content of a unit (i.e. song/speech, dance to instrumental music, entrance or exit), to its formal features (i.e. linguistic and rhythmic characteristics), or to both. Shōdan are not always marked in the utaibon chant books, and their interpretation may vary from school to school. Scholar Yokomichi Mario identifies three main categories of shōdan: utaigoto; hayashigoto, and shijimagoto. Utaigoto shodan, such as issei, sashi, age-uta, kuse, etc. are characterised by a specific type of chant. Hayashigoto shōdan, such as shidai, chū-no-mai, monogi, etc. are characterised by a specific type of music. Shijimagoto shōdan, such as: su-no-de, su-no-nakairi, etc. are characterised by the fact that they are performed in silence. Some utaigoto can be performed with or without the accompaniment of music. They can be performed with or without movement. Hayashigoto are performed without chant but are normally performed with movement. [DP]