noh

English - English

Definition of noh in English English dictionary

Notice of Hearing

A form of classical Japanese musical drama

a form of classical Japanese music drama

{i} classical drama of Japan

Variant of No

Dramas performed in mask and costume, associated with Shinto Dramas performed in mask and costume, associated with Shinto

A type of Japanese theater that was developed in the 14h century Actors wear masks, wear costumes, and chant their lines

Also called noh-gaku or sarugaku-noh; one of the traditional performing arts of mainland Japan A song-and-dance drama that developed from the mediaeval sarugaku, the form was perfected in the Edo period The subject matter is classical, and the performers wear masks

Related Terms

Noh theatre

or No theatre Classic Japanese theatrical form. One of the world's oldest extant theatrical forms, Noh theatre has a heroic theme, a chorus, and highly stylized action, costuming, and scenery. Its all-male performers are storytellers who use their visual appearances and movements to suggest their tale rather than enact it. Noh (from Japanese n, meaning "talent" or "skill") developed from ancient forms of dance-drama and became a distinctive form in the 14th century. The five types of Noh plays are the kami ("god") play, which involves a sacred story of a Shint shrine; the shura mono ("fighting play"), which centres on warriors; the katsura mono ("wig play"), which has a female protagonist; the gendai mono ("present-day play") or kyjo mono ("madwoman play"), which is varied in content; and the kiri or kichiku ("final" or "demon") play, which features devils and strange beasts. Kan'ami (1333-84) and his son Zeami (1363-1443) wrote many of the most beautiful Noh texts; more than 200 remain in the modern Noh repertoire

noh play

classical drama of Japan

Hyphenation

Noh

Turkish pronunciation

nō

Pronunciation

/ˈnō/ /ˈnoʊ/

Etymology

(noun.) 1871. From Japanese 能 (nō).