A form of musical dance-drama that in the fourteenth century emerged as a distinct form of theater from various performing arts, with its plots drawn from legend, history, literature and contemporary events.

minimalist theatre (see kabuki)

A masked dance-drama presenting stories from legend and history. Beginning in the 14c - 15c, Noh is still performed today.

Style of drama developed in the 8th and 9th centuries for the entertainment of the aristocracy

The highly elaborate and ritualistic classical theater of Japan, known for its minimalist approach to plot, scenery, and stage effects and the stately performance and Zen-like mastery of its actors; n? means "talent" or "accomplishment." The great master and the orist of N? drama is Zeami Motokiyo (1363-1443), who wrote several of the most famous N? plays, including Atsumori and The Lady Aoi.

Classical theater of the aristocratic classes, characterized by its use of masks. Contrary to Kabuki, No was not usually portrayed on woodblock prints.

One of the traditional forms of Japanese theatre in which masked male actors use highly stylized dance and poetry to tell stories.