Noh - (Forms of Drama) by Diego Pellecchia & Kaoru Nakao (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Provides the reader with a comprehensive overview of the rich traditions of noh, traditional Japanese dance-drama. Drawing from up-to-date, specialized scholarship in Japanese and English, it takes an accessible approach useful for a range of readers, including students and researchers of Japanese culture and performing arts, as well as theatre practitioners. After providing an overview of the art, it traces its history from its origins to the present day. It also covers the different types of plays in the repertoire, and delves into staging conventions, including movement, music, and chant, as well as costumes, masks, and stage properties"--

Book Synopsis

This volume provides the reader with a comprehensive overview of the rich traditions of noh, classical Japanese dance-drama.

Drawing from specialized scholarship in English and in Japanese, it takes an accessible approach useful for a range of readers, including students and researchers of Japanese culture and performing arts, as well as theatre practitioners.

The introduction provides an overview, describing noh from the point of view of both the audience and the practitioner. Chapter One traces the history of noh from its origins through stages of development and formalization to the present day. Chapter Two explores the different plays in the repertoire, discussing their structures, themes, and sources. Chapter Three delves into the staging conventions of noh, introducing aspects of movement, music, and chant, as well as costumes, masks, and stage properties. To conclude, this book raises questions about the current situation of noh and explores its potential future.

Since its emergence in the 14th century, noh has been appreciated by audiences ranging from the intellectual elites to the warrior class, from the Buddhist clergy to commoners. Throughout its history, noh has influenced other traditional performing arts and, since the early 20th century, it has also been a source of inspiration for theatre practitioners outside of Japan.

Review Quotes

Finally, a book that recognises the interdisciplinary complexity of noh. By bringing together history, text, and performance, this study highlights the significance of noh not only to Japanese culture, but to global theatre practices. It makes important connections between tradition and modernity, text and performance, and Japan and the world.
Ashley Thorpe, Royal Holloway, UK, and co-founder and programme director of Noh Training Project UK

About the Author

Kaoru Nakao is Associate Professor specializing in noh in the Graduate School of Humanities, Division of Arts Studies (Theater Studies), Osaka University, Japan.

Diego Pellecchia is Associate Professor specializing in noh in the Faculty of Cultural Studies, Kyoto Sangyo University, Japan.