started out for lower class, inspired by nature, 600 yrs old, the art of walking, passed from father to son
only men can perform, masks, only rehearse once together
performers don't enact scenes, use appearance and movements to suggest story, not much dialogue, three plays (okina, kyogen, kiri/kichiku), kata
Vocal chorus--no harmonies--no set pitch or scale, Instrumental chorus--flute/small hand drum/large hand drum/large drum
set--4 cyprus pillars and large roof, trees painted on the back wall, narrow bridge for entering/exiting, Noh Shozoku (robes), osode and kosode, masks (5 types--gods, demons, men, women, elderly)
influenced by Shinto, Buddhism, Shamanism, Samurai patrons, funeral rites, divine possession, and Chinese and Japanese poetry