The No Plays of Japan
translated by Arthur Waley
The No Plays of Japan
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Noh (No) — derived from the Sino-Japanese word for "skill" or "talent" — is a form of
classical Japanese musical drama that has been performed since the 14th century.
Developed by Kan'ami and his son, it is the oldest major theatre art still regularly
performed today. Traditionally, a Noh program includes five Noh plays with comedic
kyogen plays in between, but an abbreviated program of two Noh and one kyogen has
become common. Noh is often based on tales from traditional literature with a
supernatural being transformed into human form as a hero narrating a story. Noh
integrates masks, costumes and various props in a dance-based performance,
requiring highly trained actors and musicians. Emotions are primarily conveyed by
stylized gestures while the masks represent the roles such as ghosts, women,
children, and old people. Written in ancient Japanese, the text "vividly describes the
ordinary people of the twelfth to sixteenth centuries."
These translations are done by renowned scholar Arthur Waley, who is often regarded
as the most important transmitter of East Asian culture to the West in history.
Read for Librivox.org by Expatriate
Total running time 5:49:08
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Cover image: Depiction of No, Edo period, probably 18th century.
Cover designed by Availle.This design is in the public domain.
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