能楽(のうがく)

のうがく
noun
noh theater; noh and kyogen
academicleisure
1. noh theater, noh and kyogen collectively
The traditional Japanese performing art that encompasses both noh (a masked, highly stylized dance-drama) and kyogen (comedic interludes). Designated a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. The term refers to the art form as a whole, including its music, dance, and dramatic traditions.
能楽(のうがく)を鑑賞(かんしょう)する。
To watch a noh performance.
能楽(のうがく)は室町(むろまち)時代(じだい)に大成(たいせい)された日本(にほん)の伝統(でんとう)芸能(げいのう)だ。
Noh is a traditional Japanese performing art that was perfected in the Muromachi period.
能楽(のうがく)には能(のう)と狂言(きょうげん)の二(ふた)つの形式(けいしき)があり、交互(こうご)に演(えん)じられるのが伝統(でんとう)だ。
Noh theater has two forms, noh and kyogen, and it is traditional for them to be performed alternately.

Usage

能楽(のうがく) is the umbrella term for the entire art form, including both 能(のう) (the serious masked drama) and 狂言(きょうげん) (the comic interludes). In casual speech, 能(のう) alone is often used to refer to the art form, but 能楽(のうがく) is more precise and formal.

Cultural note

能楽(のうがく) was refined by 観阿弥(かんあみ) and 世阿弥(ぜあみ) in the 14th century under the patronage of the shogun 足利義満(あしかがよしみつ). It was recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2008.

Common collocations

  • 能楽(のうがく)を鑑賞(かんしょう)する: to watch noh
  • 能楽(のうがく)堂(どう): noh theater (the building)
  • 能楽(のうがく)師(し): noh performer

Related Words

Related: 能(のう) (noh (masked drama))
Related: 狂言(きょうげん) (kyogen (comic interlude))
Compare: 雅楽(ががく) (gagaku)
general
Added 2026.2.28 8:07 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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