Noh Masks (面, Men): The Spirit of Noh Theatre

Japanese noh theatre has over 650 years of continuous performance history, making it the oldest theatre form with this status in the world. Noh is the embodiment of seven centuries of Japanese culture and society, embedded it its history, art, music, dance, storytelling, and social values. Each of its components, from ancient texts to contemporary performers, represents generations of development and refinement. Artisans and musicians bring the weight of their traditions to performances today that contain spectacular theatricality. If the statement “what’s old is new“ holds true in any way, then noh is one of the newest things on stage today. One of the most distinctive aspects of noh are the masks that performers wear. In many ways, the masks are what give noh its unique, mysterious feel. This documentary takes you deep into the world of noh masks: from the trees they are made from, through their carving and painting; from their selection prior to a performance, to their handling after a performance; and from the hands of collectors to the newest creations, all while revealing the tremendous variety of masks and characters of noh. This film serves as a great introduction into noh with its overview of noh history and form, its performance footage, and its insightful backstage footage.