Nou

Nou is a type of masked dance-drama in which extreme stylization of the actors' movements and the narrative music evoke a beautiful, mysterious atmosphere. The only script for a nou play is a song book called an utai-bon with narrative chants and songs sung by a chorus to the accompaniment of flutes, large and small hand drums, and, at times, a large drum.

The performers are defined by their roles. These are the shite principal actor, the waki subordinate actor, the kyougen comic actor, and the chorus and musicians, none of which are interchangeable. The principal actor directs not only his own performance in the leading role, but also that of his companion, the tsure, and the singing of the chorus. In the same way the waki or subordinate actor oversees his own role and that of his tsure.The kyougen actor will sometimes provide a brief explanation of events between acts, and he performs in humorous sketches, also called Kyougen, which provide comic relief between plays. Music plays an important role throughout, for the muscians and chorus are as vital to a nou performance as the actors. Masks may sometimes be worn by the shite and the kyougen actors, but never by the waki.