The Secrets of Noh Masks

Noh is a major form of classic Japanese musical drama that has been performed since the 14th century. Many characters are masked, with men playing both the male and female roles. The repertoire is normally limited to a specific set of historical plays. This is the very first book to introduce the work of the Noh mask artist Michishige Udaka who is still active at the front of Noh play in Japan nowadays both as an actor and a playwright. It presents high quality photographs of 32 typical Noh masks shot in dynamic lightings and close-up angles. Captions explain characters of each mask and also main the points to appreciate them, while insightful essays talk about the history of Noh, its performing style, and mask-making philosophy and its techniques. Index for each mask with thumbnail photos.

MICHISHIGE UDAKA is, arguably, today's most prominent Noh actor, as well as a mask maker, playwright and teacher. In 1985, he founded the International Noh Institute and the following year, he produced, directed and performed in the U.S. as part of the U.S./Japan Cultural Exchange Group. In 2011, he plans to return to the U.S. to perform his new work, "Atomic Cloud," which promotes world peace.
SHUICHI YAMAGATA is an acclaimed advertising photographer.