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With a history spanning nearly 1,000 years, Noh drama, simply put, is a form of classical Japanese theatrical performance art that combines dance, drama, music, and poetry, with content revolving around events from ancient Japanese legends to modern-day events. Actors use masks to conceal their faces and ages. Depending on the actor's perspective, the masks can appear to be smiling or crying, so one of the pleasures of watching Noh is observing how the actors express different emotions depending on the context.
Noh drama is performed by professional artists who have been trained in families with generations of experience in this art form, spread across cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto.
'People try to hide their emotions.'
Eighty-year-old Toshiro Morita has been photographing theaters and masked stages since 1964. Coming from a family with a tradition of photography, he has published more than 20 books on Noh drama and the Kabuki dance drama tradition.
In his small suburban apartment, he keeps hundreds of film negatives taken over the past five decades. Most were taken with film cameras, using only natural light. He photographs Noh theater masks against a simple black background. The slightest change in perspective and lighting imbues the mask with countless new emotions.
He dislikes using a tripod. By holding the camera himself, he can easily adjust the angle and mood of his photos. “People tend to hide their emotions, but a mask doesn’t tell you anything, so I’ll portray what I want to express,” Morita says.
As the third generation in a family of photographers, Morita grew up in an artistic environment, drawing inspiration from his father and grandfather's works of Japanese theatrical art. After experimenting with surrealist oil painting, he decided to continue the family tradition after graduating from art university.
Historically, mask-making wasn't a true craft. Performance artists would commission carpenters to customize the mask's features. According to Morita, it was crucial for the carpenter to have an emotional connection with the piece of wood they were working with. However, that craft has changed in recent years. That's why older masks have so many variations. Modern mask designs aren't unique; they're simply reproductions of historical styles.
The importance of face masks
Noh drama flourished during the Zeami period until the Edo period (1603-1868), when it became an official performing art of the military government. Between 1868 and 1912, Noh drama experienced a period of decline, appearing only in a few amateur performances. Today, Noh drama is no longer as popular with the Japanese people as it once was. But like many other traditional performing arts, Noh drama is struggling to regain the interest of modern audiences.
In 2001, Noh drama was named a “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity” by UNESCO.
Michishige Udaka, the founder of the International Noh Institute in 1986, is also a former Noh actor and mask carver. “I come from a family with a long history in Noh theater. I feel honored to be a part of that family and I am committed to upholding our ancestral traditions.”
He made his stage debut at the young age of six. Michishige possessed a profound understanding of this form of theater. He knew exactly how subtle his movements were needed to communicate with the audience. For example, tilting his head up and slightly to the right under the lights could make his face appear to be smiling. But lowering his head slightly could convey sadness, a frown, or even shyness.
In Noh theater, masks are the faces of the actors. They are not just props on stage, but also represent the face of human life. Michishige believes that photographer Morita's work is very special. "I think he sees what lies between the real world and the world of emotions," Michishige said.
Ngoc Anh (According to CNNStyle)
