Category Archives: Noh Play Synopses

Synopses of traditional Japanese noh plays.

Nue (鵺)

Posted on February 9, 2014 by Theatre Nohgaku

Contributed by David Surtasky Nue (鵺) a fifth category play attributed to Zeami There was once, many years ago, a certain Monk who made his way around the provinces visiting numerous temples and shrines. He had gazed at the sky … Continue reading →

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Tsuchigumo [土蜘蛛]

Posted on January 22, 2014 by Theatre Nohgaku

Contributed by David Surtasky Tsuchigumo [土蜘蛛] A fifth category play by an unknown author. Many years ago in Kyoto, the faithful servant Kochō sought out a doctor of the Imperial Court. Her lord, Minamoto no Raikō, had become gravely ill … Continue reading →

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Kochō (胡蝶)

Posted on July 9, 2013 by Theatre Nohgaku

Contributed by David Surtasky Dedicated to Jean Ann Wertz of the Zen Mountain Monestary, Mt. Tremperer, NY Kochō (胡蝶) (summary) A third category play by Kanze Nobumitsu One early spring a Monk from the mountains of Yoshino was making his … Continue reading →

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Sōshi-arai Komachi [草紙洗(小町)]

Posted on June 4, 2013 by Theatre Nohgaku

Contributed by David Surtasky Sōshi-arai Komachi [草紙洗(小町)] A third category play by an unknown author. Many years ago in Miyako there was a courtier named Ōtomo no Kuronushi. He was renowned for his poetry, and had been called to participate … Continue reading →

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Futari Shizuka (二人静)

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Theatre Nohgaku

(Editor’s note: the below summary is principally derived from “The Two Shizukas. Zemai’s Futari Shizuka”, Jacqueline Mueller, Monumenta Nipponica, Vol. 36, No. 3 (Autumn, 1981), pp. 285-298, Published by Sophia University.) Contributed by David Surtasky Futari Shizuka (二人静) (summary) A … Continue reading →

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Momijigari (紅葉狩)

Posted on May 4, 2013 by Theatre Nohgaku

Contributed by David Surtasky Momijigari (紅葉狩) (summary) A fifth category play by Kanze Nobumitsu A delicate and elegant Noble Lady and her companions once traveled deep into the mountains in order to view the autumn leaves of gold and crimson. … Continue reading →

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Motomezuka (求塚)

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Theatre Nohgaku

Contributed by David Surtasky Motomezuka (求塚) (summary) A fourth category play attributed to Kan’nami As is sometimes the case, a group of Monks traveled from the west, making their way to Kyoto. Drawing their traveling cloaks about them, they went … Continue reading →

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Ebira (箙)

Posted on April 27, 2013 by Theatre Nohgaku

Contributed by David Surtasky Ebira (箙) (summary) A second category play by an unknown author. Once a Monk and his companions set out from far Kyushu on their way to Kyoto. Never having viewed the sites of the capital, they … Continue reading →

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Yōkihi (楊貴妃)

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Theatre Nohgaku

Contributed by David Surtasky Yōkihi (楊貴妃) (summary) A third category play by Komparu Zenchiku Far away in China there was at one point a Daoist Sorcerer in the service of the Emperor Gensō. His master was a just and good … Continue reading →

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Nonomiya (野宮)

Posted on April 3, 2013 by Theatre Nohgaku

Contributed by David Surtasky Nonomiya (野宮) (summary) A third category play by an unknown author One autumn a Monk was visiting some famous sites in Kyoto. After seeing and enjoying the many shrines and temples there, he went to see … Continue reading →

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