Plays
There are approximately 250 plays in the current repertoire, which can be
divided according to a variety of schemes. The most common is according to
content, but there are several other methods of organization.
1. Kami mono (神物) or waki nō (脇能, deity plays) typically feature the shite in
the role of a human in the first act and a deity in the second and tell the
mythic story of a shrine or praise a particular spirit.
2. Shura mono (修羅物) or asura nō (阿修羅能, warrior plays) have the shite often
appearing as a ghost in the first act and a warrior in full battle regalia in
the second, re-enacting the scene of his death.
3. Katsura mono (鬘物, wig plays) or onna mono (女物, woman plays) depict the shite
in a female role and feature some of the most refined songs and dances in all of
Noh.
4. There are about 94 "miscellaneous" plays, including kyōran mono (狂乱物) or
madness plays, onryō mono (怨霊物) or vengeful ghost plays, and genzai mono (現在物),
plays which depict the present time, and which do not fit into the other
categories.
5. Kiri nō (切り能, final plays) or oni mono (鬼物, demon plays) usually feature the
shite in the role of monsters, goblins, or demons, and are often selected for
their bright colors and fast-paced, tense finale movements.
Mood
* Mugen nō (夢幻能) usually deals with spirits, ghosts, phantasms, and supernatural
worlds. Time is often depicted as passing in a non-linear fashion, and action
may switch between two or more timeframes from moment to moment.
* Genzai nō (現在能), as mentioned above, depicts normal events of the everyday
world. However, when contrasted with mugen instead of with the other four
categories, the term encompasses a somewhat broader range of plays.
Style
* Geki nō (劇能) or drama plays are based around the advancement of plot and the
narration of action.
* Furyū nō (風流能) or dance plays focus rather on the aesthetic qualities of the
dances and songs which are performed.
Okina (or Kamiuta) is a unique play which combines dance with Shinto ritual. It
is considered the oldest type of Noh play, and is probably the most often
performed. It will generally be the opening work at any programme or festival.
