Translation guide
A traditional Japanese masked drama with music and dance, originating in the 14th century.
Noh (theater)
Referring to Noh as a genre of performance
The standard term for Noh theater. Often used in compounds like 能楽 (nōgaku) or 能舞台 (nōbutai).
私は能が大好きです。
I love Noh.
Noh is a traditional Japanese performing art.
Literally 'Noh music', often used to emphasize the musical and performance aspect, or in formal contexts.
I watched Noh at a Noh theater.
Referring to an individual piece or show
Can refer to a specific Noh play. Often used with counters like 一番 (hitoban) or 一曲 (ikkyoku).
Tonight's Noh play is 'Sumidagawa'.
He performed three Noh dances.
Literally 'Noh stage', used when talking about the performance setting or a particular staging.
In English, 'Noh' is often capitalized as a proper noun. In Japanese, 能 is written without special capitalization.
Noh (能) is serious, masked drama, while Kyogen (狂言) is comedic and often performed between Noh plays. Together they form Nogaku (能楽).
The Noh stage is very simple.