Noh Plays and Stage Characteristics

A method of expanding a five-line poem into a longer piece of writing in order to make it more understandable.

The distinct mood or character of a Nō play, similar to the tone or feeling of a Shakespearean play.

The main actor in a Nō play who performs the central dance.

The supporting actor who explains the circumstances leading to the main actor's dance.

The stage in a Nō play is about 18 feet square with a pine tree painted on the back wall. The other sides are open.

A gallery leading to the green-room in a Nō play, with a curtain that separates it.

The chorus in a Nō play sits in a recess behind the stage, while the musicians sit in a recess at the back.

The actors in a Nō play are all male, including those playing female roles.

A group of 8-12 performers in ordinary clothing who sing an actor's words during dances.

The wooden masks worn by the shite and their assistants, representing characters like women or old men.

Slow, ceremonial movements with solemn gestures, often with foot stamping.

Conventionalized props representing various locations like a boat, chariot, palace, house, etc.

A drummer who plays with their hand, not a stick - possibly using a thimble.

A type of slow, rhythmic movement in the Noh theatre

The flute in a Noh orchestra, only used during specific moments of the play.

The chanting style used in Nō plays. It resembles the intoning of a Roman Catholic priest, but occasionally takes on more of an operatic character.

Pivot words add a layer of meaning and complexity to the text, particularly in the lyric portions of Nō plays. It's about using words with multiple meanings for poetic effect.

Nō plays often draw inspiration from existing dance-ballads or poems associated with the play's theme, places, or characters.

A type of masquerade performance that was incorporated into Nō plays. It provided comedic relief to the serious Shinto rituals.

The original name for what we now know as Nō. It highlights the influence of Sarugaku in its development.

A style of verse that often alternates between lines of five and seven syllables, a common feature in the dramatic sections of Nō plays.

The Nō play style emerged in the mid-14th century, blending elements of Sarugaku, Shinto rituals, and other poetic forms.

The Nō playbook often incorporates earlier poems, dance-ballads, and other literary materials. This borrowed material adds layers of meaning to the plays and resonates with the audience familiar with the original sources.