noun

  1. high-ranking noh actor.
  2. head of a school of noh performance.
  3. high ranking courtesan (esp. in Yoshiwara; Edo period). Messages.hist.
  4. jōruri narrator, manzai narrator.
  5. female role actor in kabuki.
  6. lord steward (formerly the fifth court rank).
  7. head of a sarugaku troupe. Messages.hist.
  8. senior priest at a Shinto shrine.

Variations

Pronunciation Kanji Kana Is Common
太夫 たゆう
大夫 たゆう

Contained Kanji Breakdown

plump, thick, big around
タイ ふと.い タ (2nd, N3)
large, big
ダイ おお- た (1st, N5)
one, one radical (no.1)
イチ いっ ひと- (1st, N5)
person
ひと ニン ジン (1st, N5)
dot, tick or dot radical (no. 3)
チュ (Kentei 1)
husband, man
フ おっと フウ (4th, N3)
large, big
ダイ おお- た (1st, N5)
one, one radical (no.1)
イチ いっ ひと- (1st, N5)
person
ひと ニン ジン (1st, N5)