What is "takasago"

Takasago may refer to:

• Takasago (play), a Noh play by Zeami Motokiyo
• Takasago, Hyōgo, a city located in Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan
• Japanese cruiser Takasago, a protected cruiser of the Imperial Japanese Navy in service 1897–1904
• State of Takasago (高砂国), the name Japan called Taiwan during the Edo period
  • Takasago Volunteers, soldiers in the Imperial Japanese Army recruited from Taiwanese aboriginal tribes
• Takasago International Corporation, an international producer of flavors and fragrances headquartered in Japan
• Takasago stable, a professional sumo stable (or heya)
• Taiwan Beer, Taiwanese beer formerly known as Takasago Beer

is a traditional Noh play. It is considered a very auspicious story, involving a loving and long-married couple. The play was formerly known as or .

During the play a singer chants, "From Takasago, sailing over the bay, sailing over the bay, the moon goes out with the tide, past the silhouette of Awaji Island, far over the sea to Naruo, arriving at Suminoe, arriving at Suminoe", referencing several places in what are now Hyōgo and Osaka Prefectures. This is considered a classic Noh chant, taken from a classical poem signifying harmony between husband and wife.