Plays of Old Japan: The 'No'

This volume opens a doorway to the mysterious world of Nō, the classical Japanese dance‑drama that blends chanting, stylised movement and austere masks. Through careful translations, the reader hears the haunting verses and sees the ritual gestures that have defined the art for centuries. Finely reproduced wood‑cut illustrations capture the elaborate costumes and the solemn atmosphere of a lantern‑lit stage.

A brief preface by a Japanese ambassador notes how Nō survived the upheavals of the Meiji era and now enjoys broader patronage. The translators—a British scholar and a Japanese professor—explain the difficulty of rendering the subtle utai vocal music into English while preserving its spirit. Their notes on mask symbolism, samurai training and mythic sources make the cryptic language approachable for listeners new to the form.