Nohgaku: A Traditional Performing Art with a 650-Year History
Although it may not be a mainstream form of entertainment, there are a few restaurants in Japan where you can enjoy a meal while watching Nohgaku.
That’s how I first experienced it.
I was instantly captivated, even though I knew nothing about the art form at the time.
The stunning beauty of the costumes, the eerily frightening emotions evoked by the Noh masks, and the traditional stage design were all magnificent.
The more I learned about Nohgaku, the more enchanted I became.
It’s a unique form of entertainment that becomes more enjoyable the more you understand its history and the stories behind the performances.
This is why I wanted to write about it.
Table of Contents
Prologue – A Timeless Journey Awaits
Nohgaku is a general term for two distinct performing arts, Noh and Kyogen, and is one of Japan’s most important traditional performing arts.
Its origins can be traced back to the Muromachi period, and it has been passed down for over 650 years without interruption.
This unique art form was cherished by military commanders like Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu in the past, and it continues to receive high international acclaim today.
In 2001, its historical and artistic value was officially recognized, and Nohgaku was inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
The reason Nohgaku has been preserved for so long is that it’s not just a classical art form; it’s deeply interwoven with universal themes and an enduring appeal.
This report will offer a multi-faceted analysis of the profound world of Nohgaku, exploring its history, style, and its relationship with Kyogen.
We’ll also delve into the real reasons behind its UNESCO designation and discuss the challenges and future outlook for Nohgaku in the modern world.
Through this journey, we’ll uncover the essence of why Nohgaku continues to fascinate so many people.
The Deep History and Tradition of Nohgaku
The Foundation of Nohgaku: Blossoming in the Muromachi Period
The history of Nohgaku began with Sarugaku, a form of mimicry entertainment that originated from the Chinese Sangaku, which was introduced to Japan during the Nara period and evolved during the Heian period.
During the Nanboku-cho and Muromachi periods, two master Sarugaku performers, Kan’ami and his son, Zeami, elevated the art form by incorporating elements from other performing arts and transforming it into a sophisticated drama with intricate plots.
Many of the Noh plays performed today were written by Kan’ami and Zeami during this period and are still performed in their original form.
Nohgaku’s artistic evolution from a popular public entertainment to a high art form was made possible by the strong patronage of the samurai class, particularly figures like Ashikaga Yoshimitsu.
The samurai’s acceptance of Nohgaku as a cultural and educational pursuit led to its formal and artistic development, which went far beyond simple financial support.
The aesthetics and spiritual concepts of Yugen (subtle and profound grace) and Wabi-Sabi (beauty in imperfection) cherished by the samurai were deeply reflected in Nohgaku, and its performance style became rigorously refined.
Furthermore, its position as the official art form of the shogunate meant that its methods of transmission and the content of its plays were strictly controlled.
The presence of these unwavering patrons not only enhanced Nohgaku’s artistic quality but also solidified its style, establishing the foundation of the “tradition” that would be passed down precisely for generations to come.
This historical context shows that Nohgaku was not just a passing trend but a national cultural institution.
A Glimpse into Zeami’s Philosophy
Zeami, who established the artistic principles of Nohgaku, recorded his experiences and insights in works such as Fushikaden (The Flowering Spirit).
Although his words are often seen as universal teachings that still resonate today, their true meaning is often oversimplified.
For example, the phrase “Hisureba Hana” (“To conceal is to be a flower”) is commonly interpreted to mean that subtlety and modesty are more beautiful than being overt, reflecting a Japanese sense of elegance.
However, in Zeami’s philosophy, “Hana” (flower) represents the power to move and surprise the audience.
“Hisuru” (to conceal) is a clear strategic principle for capturing the audience’s heart by hiding the “seed” of that emotion and revealing it only at the perfect moment.
This is an active, calculated philosophy where an artist maximizes the value of their performance by concealing the deeper secrets of their art.
The same applies to the phrase “Shoshin Wasuru Bekarazu” (“Never forget your beginner’s mind”).
While commonly interpreted as “don’t forget your humble beginnings,” Zeami’s teaching suggests a deeper, multi-stage process of self-improvement.
It means that “at every age and every stage, you must not forget the mindset of a beginner, but instead constantly learn and improve your art.”
These philosophies show that Nohgaku is not just a quaint, old-fashioned play but a rigorous and active art form built on meticulous direction aimed at captivating the audience and the performers’ own relentless self-improvement.
The Elements of Nohgaku: Utterance, Dance, Music, Costumes, and Masks
Nohgaku is a comprehensive art form built on the trinity of Utterance (vocal performance), Mai (dance), and Hayashi (music).
The stage and props that support these elements are also deeply rooted in Nohgaku’s unique style.
The Noh stage, unlike a conventional proscenium theater, is an independent space surrounded by four pillars.
The Kagami-ita, a painted back wall, features a pine tree where a deity is said to reside.
The pine is not merely decorative; it also functions as an acoustic panel that reflects the performers’ voices and instruments back to the audience.
The Hashigakari, a raised walkway extending diagonally from the main stage, is a symbolic path that connects the mundane world with the supernatural, or a distant place with the stage.
One of the most symbolic elements of Nohgaku is the Noh mask.
More than just a simple mask, it’s called an omote (face) and is extremely important to the performer, as it is believed to be imbued with a soul.
Noh masks are created to have a “neutral expression” that doesn’t explicitly show joy or sorrow.
It is the Noh performer’s exceptional skill that brings emotion to the seemingly expressionless mask.
For example, tilting the face up slightly, called teru (shining), expresses joy or laughter, while tilting it down, called kumoru (clouding), expresses sorrow or crying.
This subtle movement, combined with the fixed expression of the mask, encourages the audience to imagine an infinite range of emotions, leading to a deeper sense of empathy.
This is a characteristic aesthetic of Nohgaku where minimalism creates richness, a paradoxical expression technique that aligns with Zeami’s philosophy of “Hisureba Hana.”
Furthermore, the extravagant Noh costumes are more than just clothing.
They carry a deeper meaning.
The Karaori, a representative costume, along with other garments, are woven with motifs like fans, phoenixes, chrysanthemums, and autumn grasses, each symbolizing concepts such as good fortune, longevity, or the transience of life.
The colors and patterns of the costumes quietly tell the story’s background and the character’s emotional state.
The musical foundation of Nohgaku is the Hayashi ensemble, consisting of four traditional instruments: the Nohkan (flute), Kotsuzumi (small shoulder drum), Otsuzumi (large hip drum), and Taiko (stick drum).
The Nohkan is the only melodic instrument and its distinct, unstable pitch creates the unique sound of Nohgaku, essential for expressing mood and setting.
The Kotsuzumi and Otsuzumi are often described as having a “marital relationship” in their performance.
The strong, masculine Otsuzumi maintains the dignity of the piece, while the softer Kotsuzumi adds color to the sound, creating a subtle balance and tension.
Each musician is a highly-specialized professional who dedicates their life to mastering a single instrument, a strict system that ensures the highest level of artistry.
Noh and Kyogen: Two Sister Arts
Two Contrasting Worlds
Nohgaku consists of two contrasting performing arts: Noh and Kyogen.
Both originated from Sarugaku and are performed on the same stage, but they have distinct differences in their worldview, style of expression, and roles.
Noh is a lyrical drama where non-human beings, such as ghosts, demons, deities, and plant spirits, often appear.
Performers wear Noh masks and beautiful costumes, and through simple, refined movements, they express nuanced emotions and depict fundamental human feelings like tragedy, sorrow, and nostalgia.
In contrast, Kyogen is a comedic play centered around dialogue, with masks rarely used.
It satirizes the foolishness and vanity of ordinary people in medieval times, using humor to make the audience laugh.
Kyogen’s Role in Nohgaku: The Significance of Aikyogen
Kyogen is not only performed as a standalone play but is also sometimes integrated into a Noh performance as Aikyogen (interlude Kyogen).
This interlude plays a crucial role by providing a simple, understandable explanation of a Noh play’s complex story or advancing the plot.
This gives the audience a brief respite from the tension of the Noh performance, helping them to understand the narrative more deeply.
Despite being so different, Noh and Kyogen are an inseparable part of a single art form.
This shows that Nohgaku skillfully combines the polar opposites of the human experience – the sublime and the comical, stillness and motion, tragedy and comedy – to create a richer, more layered artistic experience.
This brilliant structure is what makes Nohgaku so exceptional in its ability to portray the complex aspects of human life on a single stage.
The Reasons Nohgaku Was Inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List
Nohgaku’s inscription on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list was based on a comprehensive evaluation of its historical and artistic value.
First, the uninterrupted transmission of Nohgaku for over 650 years was highly praised.
The maintenance of such a long-standing tradition is extremely rare globally and was recognized as a model for cultural heritage preservation.
Second, Nohgaku’s depiction of “fundamental human emotions” was recognized as having universal value that transcends time and borders.
Noh plays are often based on classical Japanese literature like The Tale of Genji and The Tale of the Heike.
The stories are rooted in universal themes such as the sorrow of unfulfilled love, the impermanence of power, and the love and hatred between parents and children or spouses.
Nohgaku explores these inner human worlds through supernatural beings like ghosts and gods.
This unique style was recognized for its artistic quality that can be appreciated across countries and generations.
Third, the immense influence of Nohgaku on subsequent Japanese performing arts was a key factor.
Nohgaku had a major impact on later art forms like Bunraku (puppet theater) and Kabuki, playing a decisive role in the development of Japanese theater.
The aesthetic of “condensed expression” found in Nohgaku is also a core element of other Japanese art forms, such as Rikka (standing flowers), a traditional style of ikebana that uses a few plants to represent a vast landscape.
The UNESCO inscription of Nohgaku is an international recognition of its status as a foundational source of Japanese traditional culture and its critical role in shaping the Japanese sense of aesthetics.
The Challenges and Future of Nohgaku in the Modern Era
The Dilemma of Tradition vs. Popularization
One of the biggest challenges facing modern Nohgaku is the dilemma of “popularization versus preserving value.”
For Nohgaku to survive, it must attract new audiences and performers, but if it becomes too widespread and easily accessible, there’s a risk that its rarity and value as a “tradition” will diminish.
To address this contradiction, the world of Nohgaku is trying various initiatives to adapt to the times while protecting its traditional style and spirit.
While other traditional arts strictly adhere to their rules, Nohgaku has become relatively flexible, now allowing performances by women and non-Japanese people.
This shows a strategic flexibility – strictly maintaining the form while expanding the pool of performers.
The Nohgaku community is trying to resolve this contradiction by preserving the quality of professional Noh performers through the Iemoto (headmaster) system while opening the doors to a wider audience.
Promoting Nohgaku to Young People and Overseas Audiences
The Nohgaku community is actively working to attract new audiences among younger generations and overseas.
The Nohgaku Young Artists Association and Young People’s Noh, organized and run by young performers, have a mission to create “easy-to-understand Noh for beginners.” They have set a low ticket price for students (1,000 yen) to lower the barrier for young people to experience Nohgaku.
Furthermore, Noh theaters and universities host workshops where participants can get an overview of Nohgaku from performers, take a backstage tour, and try out chanting, dance, and playing instruments, offering an opportunity to personally experience its appeal.
Challenges in Online and Contemporary Interpretations
New initiatives using technology are also underway.
Prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, online streaming, such as Ouchi-Noh (Noh at Home), was introduced, creating a new way to appreciate Nohgaku from home.
The online performances also include a reading of the modern-language version of the story before the main performance, making it easier for first-time viewers to understand the plot.
These efforts are an important step toward breaking the stereotypes that Nohgaku is “difficult” or “inaccessible” and bringing it to a wider audience.
Conclusion – The Enduring Allure of Nohgaku
Over its 650-year history, Nohgaku elevated its artistic quality through the philosophies of Kan’ami and Zeami and established its unique style under the patronage of the samurai class.
It encompasses the two contrasting arts of Noh and Kyogen, creating a multi-layered art form that interweaves tragedy and comedy.
The symbolic expressions in its masks, costumes, and stage stimulate the audience’s imagination, creating a unique aesthetic where the performers and audience collaborate to create the world of the story.
Nohgaku was inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list not just because it’s an old art form.
It’s because its storytelling, which continues to express universal human emotions, and its artistic value, which has influenced subsequent cultures, have been internationally recognized.
Even today, while grappling with the contradiction of “popularization versus preserving value,” Nohgaku is embracing new challenges through the passion of young performers and innovative initiatives like online streaming.
This report has shown that Nohgaku is not just a relic of the past but a living art form with universal themes and an enduring spirit of constant evolution.
The true essence of Nohgaku lies in the “hidden flower” that unfolds on the stage, which words and writing cannot fully convey.
I encourage you to visit a Noh theater and experience its profound world with all five senses.
References
- Nohgaku Association, a public interest incorporated association: What is Nohgaku?
- Peace Park Noh Theater: About Noh
- Nohgaku Association, a public interest incorporated association: Noh instruments
- UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage: Nohgaku
- Invation to Nohgaku: Plays and roles
