Noh Classical Theater

Noh Classical Theater

Originating in the 14^th century, Noh Classical Theater is representative of highly standardized dramas that draw heavily from the traditions and spiritual elements that are embedded in the Japanese culture. Many of the plays are directly influenced by ancient and mythological history. To an untrained eye, the experience of viewing a performance can be daunting or even perhaps long and drawn out. Conversely, to a seasoned audience, the experience can transcend the individual through time to a place of deeper inner connection.

Through my youtube viewing experience, there were a couple of key elements that seemed to link many of the performances. The tempos of the pieces were very slow and in many many cases the rhythm was nonpulsatile. The actors were generally emotionless and expressed rigid movements. In some of the performances the actors wore face paint but more often they were adorned with decorative face masks. The structure in terms of logical chronology is pretty much nonexistent. The characteristics of timelessness and impromptu nature in regard to rhythm lends itself to the elements of Zen. More specifically, Zen is an art form in which Buddhists believe that the use of such structure doesn’t conform to the ideals of meditation and inward expression that are vastly incorporated into the expression of Noh Classical Theater.