roppo

("movement in six directions"). A stylized mode of walking in kabuki theater. The walk characterizes strong, noble, or heroic characters and consists of exaggerated movements and a swaggering gate. In histories of kabuki, it is said that this movement is an exaggeration of the strutting (tanzen roppo) that young men would do in the pleasure quarters. There are several types of roppo, the most dramatic of which is tobi roppo, or the "flying walk." In tobi roppo, the actor springs and leaps across the stage while vigorously moving his arms and legs in all directions. (from Kabuki Glossary, ©1996, Richard Hooker)