Nogaku, also known as Noh, is a Japanese musical drama. The tradition originated in the eighth century, when sangaku, a type of often light-hearted performance, was transmitted from China to Japan. Hundreds of years later, in the 14th and 15th centuries, Nogaku reached its cultural peak.

There are two faces to the complex performance art of Nogaku: Noh and Kyogen. They are performed simultaneously in the same space. Noh has a more dramatic and refined tone than comical Kyogen. Noh uses stylized gestures, supernatural stories, and masks – its foundation is dance movement. Kyogen relies more heavily on humor and the plays of Sangaku. It is a spoken form of performance. There is less of an incorporation of masks in Kyogen.

These days, Nogaku is the primary form of Japanese theater. It has influenced many different types of art, performance, and theater. There are many western artists who have been inspired by Nogaku. The Japanese government has designated Nogaku as an Important Intangible Cultural Property. This designation legally protects Nogaku as a highly revered cultural treasure of Japan; it also offers Nogaku government grants. Due to younger generations’ dwindling interest in Nogaku, the government is working hard to preserve the art.