What Is No Theatre?

Noh theatre (otherwise known as No or Nogaku) is a classical form of Japanese theatre that began in the fourteenth century. It enjoyed its most popular period in the Muromachi period under the Ashikaga samurai clan. The Noh stage was traditionally located outdoors, and had a roof that was held in place by four columns, one in each corner.

Noh actors wore a specific style of masks which all bear specific names. The actors sing in a monotonous voice, accompanied by a chorus and Nogaku music played primarily on the Hayashi flute and Tsuzumi drum. A typical Noh play has four to five actors, and lasts between 30 to 120 minutes in total. The Noh traditional rehearsal method requires the actors to audition alone. This is an extremely disciplined theatrical form as the play relies on the talent and harmony of the actors when they perform. The Tale of the Heike and the Tale of Genji provide much of the information about hoe the players were performed in historical times.