1. Japanese Noh Theatre

2. What is Noh? Formed early 14th Century
Oldest transmitted performance art in the world
Japenese Noh actors are always male. Actors have to come from acting families and begin as early as 4 or 5
Influenced by Buddism
Founded by Zeami (Zay-ahmee)

3. Simplicity Unlike Kabuki, Noh is based on simplicity
No scenery and little if any props are used
Audience is not separated by a curtain
Chorus and musicians are onstage
Instead of pursuing realism, Noh pursues the expression of inner movement through spoken word, music and dance in an extremely simplified space.

4. Forms and elements
Most Noh dramas are based on popular classic stories among ordinary people

5. Characters in Noh
The protagonist is called “shite” who plays a god, ghost of a samurai or woman, madwoman, or supernatural characters such as a goblin or the spirit of a dragon
The “waki” is a side character and a living person
The waki is often a wandering monk and/or a foe of the shite
This creates a structure where a living person meets shite, a diseased character, who seeks salvation through the living person
Noh has minimal characters, it is not unusual that a drama is played by two characters

6. The noh stage

7. The noh stage
A Noh stage is an extremely simplified space which does not have a drop or drawn curtain between the stage and the auditorium (kensho).

8. The noh stage

9. Masks Emotional expression is extremely difficult
60 basic types of masks and over 200 different kinds of masks
Covering the face with a mask is related to the transformation of a person, just like make-up. It is said that a Noh mask has an element of spell, which provides spiritual power to the Noh actor.
Emotional expression is extremely difficult
Noh actors give expression through the well known gestures
Simple and miniscule movements of the mask expresses the subtleties of human emotion

10. Types of masks
Otoko
Man Jo
Elder
Onna
Woman

11. Types of masks
Kishin
Demon

12. Types of masks
Onryo
Ghost & Spirit
Kishin
Demon

13. Props
Usually very simple, also very rare
Ship
Cobweb

14. Chants and music
Music is composed of vocal (utai) and instrumental (hayashi)
performed by the actors or the Jiutai (chorus) who describe the events, scenery and emotion of the characters, but are NOT characters on stage
The hayashi is composed of four instruments
Fue or Nohkan - flute
Kotsuzumi – small hand or shoulder drum
Ozutsumi – large hand drum
Taiko – drum beaten with sticks

15. costume
A typical costume include the karaori (outer robe) which is extremely ornate