1.What is Noh?

    Noh is a classical Japanese performance form. It has developed for about 600 years and is one of the oldest performance art all over the world. Most of the chief characters of Noh are ghosts who show the lives that were already concluded. So it seem to be a very mysterious world. You hear that a ghost appears, and you may think Noh to be scary. But, it is not so and is going to draw the human essence and emotions that don’t change by the times or country. 

   

     Its origin is not clear yet. But, it is thought that it came from China in the about seventh century. Originally Noh was called “Sanngaku”. From the Nara era through the Kamakura era, the Noh developed as an entertainment. At first, in the Nara era, “Sanngaku” (to play funny art, mimicry, acrobatic feats and conjuring tricks) and “Gagaku” (to play solemn dance and music) crossed from China. The Gagaku became the ceremonial dance played in the case of the Imperial Court and noble ceremony, the Sanngaku spread out among the common people s entertainment of the temple and shrine. We don’t know how long the word “Noh” was used clearly. But, it seemed to be used as words that express a play for a long time. Noh was divided into two kinds of “Sarugaku Noh” and “Dengaku Noh” from Kamakura era to Muromachi era. The Sarugaku Noh was art mainly on the mimicry. In contrast, the Dengaku Noh was art mainly on a dance figuratively.

    

    Afterwards, Kanami (he developed the Yamato Sarugaku) was recognized by the general Yoshimitsu Ashikaga and went into Kyoto. Kanami adopted factor of musicality and dance characteristics in mimicry-oriented Sarugaku Noh, and his child Zeami established Yugen Noh that pursue the mysterious and profound beauty and brought up the Noh in higher theatrical art. In Edo era, Tokugawa shogunate government protected Noh. Second generation general Hidetada Tokugawa made Noh ceremonial dance of the Shougnate. Noh had deeo-rooted popularity even between the common people. By the end of Tokugawa shougnate government, Noh took the crisis of the collapse. However, in the Meiji period, Noh get the back up of a financial combine and the government VIP and regain as the entertainment that general people can enjoy. These days, Noh is reborn in a modern system through much confusion such as the Meiji Restoration or the war and shows various expanses.

references

http://www.the-noh.com/jp/sekai/history.html

http://www.sense-nohgaku.com/noh/