1. The Theatre of Asia (Japan)
Zeami taught that beauty lies in suggestion, simplicity, subtlety, and restraint.
These are summed in the term yugen (ゆげん), which Noh seeks to capture:
Subtle gracefulness
The mysterious beauty of impermanence
Elegance paired with the awareness of its fragility
Because of this, Noh makes great demands on its audience.
It is not easy to fully comprehend.
It is less “in the present,” and more recollection and reenactment through retrospection
Audiences must pay close attention and think critically during Noh performances in order to understand the play.
Image: 1

2. The Theatre of Asia (Japan)
A Noh script is a musical dance-drama, typically shorter than the average one- act drama of the West.
This provides a framework for telling a story through choreography.
All Noh plays culminate in a dance, and the dialogue and song that precede the dance outline the circumstances which motivate it.
A chorus of 6-10 narrates many of the events during the play, sing all lines required while a character is dancing, and may sing some of the actors’ lines at other times.
Image: 2

3. The Theatre of Asia (Noh Drama)
Sections in verse are sung in a rhythmic fashion to instrumental musical accompaniment.
Sections in prose are intoned without musical accompaniment.
Ordinary speech is only used when a player comes on stage between the parts of a two- act piece to summarize what has happened in the first act.
Acting in Noh is referred to as the “art of walking.”
A great deal of focus is given to the way in which a character enters, moves around the stage, and exits.
All movement is restrained and seems to be almost in slow motion.
A traditional Noh theatre and production.
Image: 3

4. The Theatre of Asia (Noh Drama)
The main actor is called the shite.
They may be masked or unmasked.
Secondary actors, waki, are generally not masked.
All Noh performers have traditionally been male, but female amateurs may learn Noh and perform recitals.
Masks are made of painted wood and are often handed down for generations.
An actor will often change masks during a play and when a female mask is worn, no attempt is made to feminize the voice.
This image labels the various performers involved in a Noh play.
Image: 4

5. The Theatre of Asia (Noh Drama)
Costumes are based on the official dress of Kan’ami and Zeami’s time.
They are made of silk decorated with elaborate embroidery.
They are not as flashy as those used in Chinese theatre!
Garments are divided into four categories:
Outer garments
Garments worn indoors or without an overdress
Lower garments, such as divided skirts
Headdresses and wigs
Each category has many variations, but the same garments may be combined or layered for use in different roles.
Orchestra members wear a simple black kimono and divided overskirt.
Noh costumes are elaborately decorated, but not nearly as ostentatious as Chinese costumes.
Image: 5