能乐由能乐师表演。能剧的主角名为“shite”，对手角色是“waki”，协助shite的角色称为“tsure”，协助表演进行的角色则称为“ai”。合唱谣（utai）的是“地谣（jiutai）”，演奏乐器的则是“囃子（hayashi）”等，是负责音乐部分的演员。上述演员可区分为shite方、waki方、囃子方、狂言方等4种不同团队，各有专责部分。

能乐师角色分工

shite方 扮演“shite”、“tsure”、“地谣”及舞台助手“后见（koken）” waki方 扮演“waki”及协助waki的“waki-tsure” 负责演奏乐器，又分为笛方、小鼓方、大鼓方、太鼓方 负责狂言表演及扮演能剧之“ai” National Noh Theatre
“Toru (Lord Toru), Jusandan no Mai,” Kanze School

Characters and Performers

Old Saltmaker (mae-shite): Asami Masakuni
Ghost of Lord Minamoto no Toru (nochi-shite): Asami Masakuni
Traveling Priest (waki): Hosho Kan
Local Man (ai): Nomura Mansaku
Koken (stage assistant): Kanze Tetsunojo IX, Asami Jiichi
[Hayashi musicians]
Flute player: Isso Yukihiro
Shoulder drum player: Hayashi Kichibe XIII
Hip drum player: Kamei Tadao
Stick-drum player: Maekawa Mitsunaga
[Jiutai chorus]
Rear row: Asai Fumiyoshi, Kitanami Takahiro, Oka Hisahiro, Kobayakawa Osamu
Front row: Takeda Yoshiteru, Takeda Munenori, Takeda Fumiyuki, Takeda Tomoyuki
Documentary photograph (Y_N0150123002006)