Noh (Nō) theatre is a Japanese performance art which became especially popular from the 14th century CE and which is still performed today. Noh actors, who were always male in the medieval period, famously move and make gestures in a very slow and highly stylised manner while they wear masks of particular designs which show the characters they are playing such as youths, aristocratic women, warriors, and demons. Greatly influenced by religious rituals and Buddhist themes, the plays are often concerned with moral dilemmas and the next life.
More about: Noh Theatre8 days left
Server Costs Fundraiser 2024
Help our mission to provide free history education to the world! Please donate and contribute to covering our server costs in 2024. With your support, millions of people learn about history entirely for free every month.
$12679 / $18000
Definition
Timeline
-
1333 - 1384Life of Kan'ami, one of the greatest of Noh theatre actors and innovators
-
c. 1350Noh theatre becomes popular in Japan.
-
1363 - 1443Life of Zeami Motokiyo, one of the greatest of Noh theatre actors and innovators.