During the fifteenth century, the Muromachi culture arose in Japan, which was influenced by Zen Buddhism. The shoguns supported Zen Buddhism where it was associated with the school of Buddhism that dealt with meditation and mind-to-mind transmission of truth. Zen continued to flourish and influence the Japanese culture. The idea of Zen focused on the simplicity side of things and that idea permeated through the arts such as Nō theatre. The Ashikaga shoguns were patrons of the Nō theatre. This form of theatrical drama originated in popular forms of entertainment, such as comical skits and dances directed to their gods. It is known as a traditional Japanese theatrical form and one of the oldest in the world. It was transformed into a high art
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It was often performed on a bare stage with some kind of backdrop. There are three major roles such as the shite, the waki, and the kyōgen. The kyōgen often was the narrator. The shite was the principal actor and the waki is the subordinate actor. Around one or two actors wore brilliant brocade robes and performed with stylized gestures and stances. One actor wore a mask that indicated the character he was portraying. They only used male actors for the play. The Noh costumes linked to the samurai class in Japan. They matched the everyday wear of the samurai. The garments that samurais wore were characterized as bold patterns and opulent textiles. The Noh costume was divided into two parts, the ôsode meaning large sleeves such as the outer robes, and the kosode, which are the kimono shaped garments with small wrist openings. Along with that, each role is associated with a specific type of way to wear the costume. Chorus and musicians also accompany the actors with a flute, a small hand drum, a large hand drum, and a large drum. The chorus and orchestra give a certain aura to their performance making it lively. One of the most important elements in the play is the recitation of a certain text, dialogue, or song. It is implemented in the play through recitation and the dance. The common topic in Noh theatre was often about ghosts consumed by jealous passions or the desire for
It was often performed on a bare stage with some kind of backdrop. There are three major roles such as the shite, the waki, and the kyōgen. The kyōgen often was the narrator. The shite was the principal actor and the waki is the subordinate actor. Around one or two actors wore brilliant brocade robes and performed with stylized gestures and stances. One actor wore a mask that indicated the character he was portraying. They only used male actors for the play. The Noh costumes linked to the samurai class in Japan. They matched the everyday wear of the samurai. The garments that samurais wore were characterized as bold patterns and opulent textiles. The Noh costume was divided into two parts, the ôsode meaning large sleeves such as the outer robes, and the kosode, which are the kimono shaped garments with small wrist openings. Along with that, each role is associated with a specific type of way to wear the costume. Chorus and musicians also accompany the actors with a flute, a small hand drum, a large hand drum, and a large drum. The chorus and orchestra give a certain aura to their performance making it lively. One of the most important elements in the play is the recitation of a certain text, dialogue, or song. It is implemented in the play through recitation and the dance. The common topic in Noh theatre was often about ghosts consumed by jealous passions or the desire for