Noh
/noʊ/noun
A highly stylized form of traditional Japanese musical drama involving masks, chanting, and slow, symbolic movement.
Did you know?Noh developed from older Japanese performance traditions and was historically performed for aristocratic and religious audiences, with many plays centering on restless spirits seeking release.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Japan
Japanese
能
“Ability, skill, or talent”
Heian Period, 8th–12th centuries
Japanese
nō
“Skill or artistic accomplishment; also associated with performance traditions”
14th Century
Japanese
Nō
“A refined theatrical performance tradition shaped by Kan'ami and Zeami”
15th–16th Centuries
Japanese
能
“Courtly and religious musical drama performed with masks, chant, and instrumental music”
19th Century
English
Noh
“An English borrowing for the classical Japanese masked drama”
Modern English
English
Noh
“Traditional Japanese musical theater characterized by masks, stylized movement, and chanting”