Japanese Traditions
On this page, we introduce some aspects of Japanese traditions

Noh and Kyogen
~ the oldest dramatic arts in Japan

Noh is oldest theatrical arts in Japan dating back to the 1300’s. Noh is a combination of music, dance, and drama. Many famous Noh stories focus on rather pessimistic aspects of human life. Noh actors wear elaborate, brocade costumes and also wear delicately-carved wooden masks which represent characters like a young woman, an old person, or a demon. They express the character’s emotions through deliberate movements and changing the shadow on the mask. By hiding their faces with masks and using stylized movements, actors attract the audience to this unique and unrealistic world.

Kyogen is classical comic theater which shares the origins of Noh. Kan-ami and Ze-ami wrote many famous stories for Noh and Kyogen in the 14^th century. Kyogen was originally performed during the interval in Noh dramas, but today it’s often performed in theater by itself. While most Noh deals with serious and pessimistic aspects of human life, Kyogen focuses on the more optimistic and comical aspects.

An image drawing of Noh mask

★　Information ★
There is the regular performance at Nagoya Nohgaku-doh Theater.