Dan

段 だん

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能狂言

A dan (段) is subsection of a ba. As with ba, utaibon (noh chant books) do not mark the dan subdivision, which leaves their interpretation up to the critic. In the case of the common two-ba structure, it is common to divide each ba into five dan. Dan are identified according to the function or action of the shite and/or of the waki. Dan can also refer to famous sections of plays which are performed independently in recitals in solo dances called shimai, for example kane-no-dan from Miidera or tama-no-dan from Ama. [DP]