List of Noh plays

Last updated

This is a complete [1] list of extant pre-modern Noh plays, their supposed authors, and categorisations. A short English translation of the title is given where one exists. A list of those plays which have a separate article on Wikipedia can be found here.

Contents

Categories of plays

Some plays are given different names by different schools. The words bangai kyoku signify that a play is no longer part of current repertoire.

The number in parentheses after the play title refers to the play type: (1) god plays; (2) warrior plays; (3) woman plays; (4) madman plays; and (5) devil plays. [2]

The first group of plays are congratulatory pieces and have the atmosphere of rejoicing. The shite is a god who praises the peace and prosperity of the land and performs a dance in celebration. Famous examples are Takasago and Chikubu-shima.

The second group of plays features a shite that is generally a famous warrior of either the Taira or the Minamoto clan. In most plays, the ghost of the warrior appears and tells of the torments it is suffering, but in certain plays such as Tamura and Tadanori, which belong to this class, the atmosphere is rather one of quiet elegance. Famous examples are Michimori and Ebira.

The third group of plays features a shite that is usually a young and beautiful woman, and the atmosphere in play of this class is of gentle, elegant beauty. Apart from the dances, these pieces usually have little movement, but the music is more melodious than in other plays and takes a large part in achieving the total effect. Famous examples include Izutsu, Hagomoro, Yo-hiki.

The fourth group of plays contains twice as many plays as any other group and includes many different types, but in general these plays are more dramatic than any others. They include "madman" pieces (e.g., Koya Monogurui, Tsuchi-guruma); "mad-woman" plays (e.g., Sumidagawa, Hana-gatami); "present-life" pieces, in which the shite is, with only one or two exceptions, a man and unmasked (e.g., Hachi no Ki, Ataka); "obsession" pieces (e.g., Uto, Aya no Tsuzumi).

The fifth group of plays usually features a shite that is a supernatural being, a god or a devil in some form. The plays in this group generally have two acts, and the tempo is faster than in other plays. Famous examples include Orochi, Kurama Tengu, Shakkyo. [3]

List

NameKanjiCatAuthorSchools
Adachi ga hara
=Kurozuka
安達原
or 黒塚
2 Zeami All schools
Aisome-gawa 藍染川5unknownKanze and Komparu schools
Akechi uchi
Conquest of Akechi
明智討2Ōmura Yūko
Akogi阿漕4 Zeami All schools
Ama
Diver Woman / The Fisher-girl
海女
or 海士
or
5 Zeami All schools
[[Aoi no ue
The Lady Aoi |Aoi no ue]]
Lady Aoi
葵上4unknown, rev. ZeamiAll schools
Arashiyama嵐山1 Komparu Zenpō All schools
Aridōshi蟻通4 Zeami All schools
Asagao朝顔(槿)????
Ashikari
The Reed Cutter
芦刈
or 葦刈
4ZeamiAll schools
Asukagawa
Asuka River
飛鳥川4 Zeami Kongo and Kita schools
Atago Kūya愛宕空也5Kanze Kojirō Nobumitsu
Ataka 安宅4KojiroAll schools
Atsumori敦盛2ZeamiAll schools
Awaji淡路1kusemai by ZeamiKanze, Komparu, and Kongo schools
Aya no Tsuzumi
The Damask Drum
綾鼓4ZeamiHosho and Kongo schools. Kita school (revised version)
Bashō
The Basho Tree
芭蕉3 Komparu Zenchiku All schools
Bukan豊干4unknown
Chibiki千引5unknown
Chikubushima竹生島1unknownAll schools
Chōbuku Soga
The Vengeance Ritual
調伏曽我5MiyamasuHosho, Kongo, and Kita schools
Chōryō
Chiang Liang
張良5KojiroAll schools
Chūrei忠霊????
Daibutsu Kuyō
=Nara mōde (Komparu name)
Dedication Rite
for Great Buddha
大仏供養
or 奈良詣
4unknownAll schools
Daie
The Great Service
大会5unknownAll schools
Daihanya大般若4/5bangai kyoku
revived 1983
Dairokuten第六天5unknownKanze school
Dampū
The Holy Wind
檀風
or 壇風
5ZeamiHosho, Kongo, and Kita schools
Darani Ochiba
see also Ochiba
陀羅尼落葉3unknown
Dōjōji道成寺4unknownAll schools
Dōmyōji道明寺1ZeamiKanze, Kongo, and Kita schools
Ebira
The Quiver
2ZeamiAll schools
Eboshi-ori
The Haymaker
烏帽子折5MiyamasuKanze, Hosho, Kongo, and Kita schools
Eguchi
Mouth-of-Sound
江口3Kan'ami, rev. ZeamiAll schools
Ema
The Votive Tablet
絵馬1Kongō nanigashiKanze, Hosho, Kongo, and Kita schools
Enoshima江野島
or 江島
1YajiroKanze school
Fue no Maki
The Flute
笛の巻4unknownKanze school
Fuji
Wisteria
3Sa-amiKanze, Hosho, and Kongo schools
Fujidaiko
Fuji's drum
富士太鼓4ZeamiAll schools
Fujisan富士山
or 不二山
1ZeamiKomparu and Kongo schools
Fujito
The Wisteria Gate
藤戸4ZeamiAll schools
Funabashi
The Floating Bridge
船橋4ZeamiAll schools
Funa Benkei
Benkei in the Boat
舟弁慶
or 船弁慶
5KojiroAll schools
Fushimi伏見?Zeami?
Futari Giō
=Giō
二人祇王3ZeamiHosho, Kongo, and Kita schools
Futari Shizuka
The Two Shizukas
二人静3ZeamiKanze, Komparu, Kongo, and Kita schools
Gekkyūden
=Tsurukame
月宮殿1unknownAll schools
Gendayu源太夫1ZeamiKomparu and Kita schools
Genji kuyō
The Mass For Prince Genji
源氏供養3ZeamiAll schools
Genjō
=Kenjō
玄象
or 絃上
5KongoAll schools
Genpuku Soga元服曽我4Miyamasu?
Genzai nue現在鵺5unknown
Genzai Shichimen現在七面5unknownKanze and Kongo schools
Genzai Tadanori現在忠度4unknown
Genzai Tomoe現在巴4unknown
Giō祇王3unknown
Go?bangai kyoku
Goō護法4unknown
Hachi No Ki
The Dwarf Trees
鉢木4Kan-amiAll schools
Hagoromo
The Robe of Feathers
羽衣3ZeamiAll schools
Hajitomi
The Wicket Gate
半蔀3Naitō TozaemonAll schools
Hakurakuten 白楽天1ZeamiKanze, Komparu, Kongo, and Kita schools
Hana-ikusa花軍4Kanze Nagatoshi
Hanagatami
The Flower Basket
花筐4ZeamiAll schools
Hanjo
The Girl Whose Lover Went Away
斑女4ZeamiAll schools
Hashi Benkei
Benkei on the Bridge
橋弁慶4unknownAll schools
Hatsuyuki
Virgin Snow
初雪4Komparu ZempōKomparu school
Hibariyama
Skylark Mountain
雲雀山4ZeamiAll schools
Higaki
The Cypress Fence
桧垣3ZeamiKanze, Hosho, Kongo, and Kita schools
Himuro氷室1MiyamasuAll schools
Hitachi-obi常陸帯4/5unknown
Hiun飛雲5unknownKanze, Hosho, Kongo, and Kita schools
Hōjōgawa
The River for Setting Things Free
放生川1ZeamiKanze, Hosho, Komparu, and Kongo schools
Hōkazō
The Hoka Priest(s)
放下僧4MiyamasuAll schools
Hōso彭祖4unknown
Hotoke no hara仏原3ZeamiKanze, Kongo, and Kita schools
Hyakuman
Million
百万4ZeamiAll schools
Ikarikazuki
The Anchor for a Hand-stone
碇潜5Komparu ZenpōKanze and Kongo schools
Ikenie
The Pool Sacrifice
生贄
or 池贄
????
Ikkaku sennin
The Horned Hermit
一角仙人5Komparu ZenpōKanze, Komparu, and Kita schools
Ikuta Atsumori生田敦盛2Komparu ZenpōKanze, Hosho, Komparu, and Kongo schools
Iwafune岩船1unknownAll schools
Izutsu
The Well
井筒3ZeamiAll schools
Jinen koji
Jinen the Preacher
自然居士4Kan'amiAll schools
Kagekiyo景清4ZeamiAll schools
Kagetsu花月4ZeamiAll schools
Kakitsubata
The Irises
杜若3ZeamiAll schools
Kamo賀茂1ZenchikuAll schools
Kamo monogurui
Madwoman at Kamo Shrine
賀茂物狂4ZenchikuHosho, Kongo, and Kita schools
Kamo no Chōmei鴨長明????
Kanameishi要石????
Kanawa
The Iron Crown/Tripod
鉄輪4ZeamiAll schools
Kanehira
Imai's End
兼平2ZeamiAll schools
Kanemaki鐘巻?Kanze Nobumitsu
Kannyōkyū
The Palace of Hsienyang
咸陽宮4unknownKanze, Hosho, Kongo, and Kita schools
Kantan
Life and Dream
邯鄲4ZeamiAll schools
Kappo合浦
or 合甫
5unknownKanze school
Kasa sotoba
The Covered Gravepost
笠卒塔婆? Kanze Motomasa?
bangai kyoku
Kashiwa-zaki柏崎4EnamiAll schools
Kasuga Ryūjin
The Kasuga Dragon God
春日龍神5ZeamiAll schools
Kayoi Komachi
Komachi and the Suitor
通小町4Kan'amiAll schools
Kazuraki葛城3ZeamiAll schools
Kazuraki tengu葛城天狗5Kanze Nagatoshi
Kenjō
Genjō
絃上
or 玄象
5Kawakami kannushi
Kiku jidō
Makura jidō
菊慈童
or 枕慈童
4unknown
Kinsatsu
The Golden Tablet
金札1ZeamiAll schools
Kinuta
The Fulling Board
4ZeamiAll schools
Kirikane Soga切兼曽我4unknown
Kiso
Lord Kiso
木曽4unknownKanze school
Kiyotsune清経2ZeamiAll schools
Kochō
The Butterfly
胡蝶3KojiroKanze, Hosho and Kongo schools
Kodama Ukifune
The Wood Spirit Ukifune
木霊浮舟
or 木玉浮舟
?bangai kyoku
Kogō
Lady Kogō
小督4ZenchikuAll schools
Koi no Matsubara恋の松原4unknown
Koi no Omoni
The Burden of Love
恋重荷4ZeamiKanze school
Kokaji 小鍛冶5unknownAll schools
Komachi uta arasoi???????
Komachi sōshi???????
Kosode Soga
Soga's Robes
小袖曽我4MiyamasuAll schools
Kōtei
The Emperor
皇帝5KojiroKanze, Hosho, Kongo, and Kita schools
Kōu
Hsiang You
項羽5ZeamiAll schools
Kōya monogurui
The Madman of Mt. Kōya
高野物狂4Zeami, Kanze MotomasaKanze, Hosho, Kongo, and Kita schools
Kumasaka
The Robber
熊坂5ZenchikuAll schools
Kurama-tengu
The Goblin of Kurama
鞍馬天狗5MiyamasuAll schools
Kureha呉服1ZeamiAll schools
Kurikara otoshi
The Fall from Kurikara
倶利伽羅落?bangai kyoku
Kurozuka
=Adachi ga hara (Kanze name)
黒塚 or
安達原
5unknownAll schools
Kurumazō
The Carriage Priest
車僧5ZeamiAll schools
Kusanagi草薙5unknownHosho school
Kusenoto久世戸1KojiroKanze school
Kusu no tsuyu
Camphor Tree in Dew
楠露4unknownKanze school
Kuzu国栖5ZeamiAll schools
Maiguruma
The Dance Waggons
舞車4bangai kyoku
Makiginu
The Rolls of Silk
巻絹4Kan-amiKanze, Hosho, Kongo, and Kita schools
Makura Jidō
Jidō and the Pillow
Kiku Jidō
枕慈童4unknownAll schools
Manjū
see also Nakamitsu (Kanze name)
満仲4ZeamiKanze, Hosho, Kongo, and Kita schools
Mari
The Football
?bangai kyoku
Matsu-no-o松尾1ZeamiHosho school
Matsukaze
The Wind in the Pines
松風3ZeamiAll schools
Matsumushi
The Chirp of the Crickets
松虫4KeamiAll schools
Matsuyama kagami
The Mirror of Matsuyama
松山鏡5unknownKanze, Kongo, and Kita schools
Matsuyama tengu 松山天狗5unknownKongo schools
Me-kari和布刈1ZenchikuKanze, Hosho, Kongo, and Kita schools
Michimori通盛2IamiAll schools
Miidera (play) 三井寺4unknownAll schools
Mi-mosuso
=The Train of the Heavenly Robe
御裳濯1ZeamiKomparu school
Minase水無瀬4unknownKita school
Minazuki-barae
The Purification Ceremony in the Sixth Month
水無月祓4ZeamiKanze school
Minobu身延3unknownKanze school
Mitsuyama
The Three Mountains
三山4ZeamiHosho and Kongo schools
Miwa三輪3ZeamiAll schools
Mochizuki望月4Sa-amiAll schools
Momiji-gari
The Maple Viewing
紅葉狩5KojiroAll schools
Morihisa盛久4MotomasaAll schools
Motomezuka
The Burial Mound
求塚4Kan'amiKanze, Hosho, Kongo, and Kita schools
Muro gimi
The Courtesans of Muro
室君4unknownKanze and Komparu schools
Murozumi室住?bangai kyoku
Mutsura六浦3ZeamiAll schools
Nakamitsu
=Kanze name for Manjū
仲光
or 満仲
4Zeami
Naniwa難波1ZeamiAll schools
Nara mōde
=Komparu name for Daibutsu kuyō
奈良詣
or 大仏供養
4unknown
Nezame寝覚1unknownKanze school
Nishikido錦戸4MiyamasuKanze and Hosho schools
Nishiki-gi
The Decorated Tree
錦木4ZeamiAll schools
Niwatori Tatsuta鶏竜田5unknown
Nomori
Guardian of the Fields
野守5ZeamiAll schools
Nonomiya
The Shrine in the Fields
野宮3ZeamiAll schools
Nue
The Fabulous Bird
5ZeamiAll schools
Oba-sute
The Old Woman Abandoned in the Hills
姨捨3ZeamiKanze, Hosho, Kongo, and Kita schools
Ochiba (no miya)
Fallen Leaves
落葉(宮)3ZeamiKongo school
Ōe-yama
Demon of Ōeyama
大江山5MiyamasuAll schools
Ohara gokō
The Imperial Visit to Ohara
大原御幸
or 小原御幸
3ZeamiKanze, Hosho, Kongo, and Kita schools
Oimatsu
The Aged Pine
老松1ZeamiAll schools
Okina (Noh)
The Old Man
0 (unique)unknownAll schools
Omina-meshi
Damsel Flower
女郎花4ZeamiAll schools
Ōmu Komachi
Komachi and the Echoing Poem
鸚鵡小町3ZeamiKanze, Hosho, Kongo, and Kita schools
Orochi
The Dragon
大蛇5KojiroHosho, Kongo, and Kita schools
Oshio小塩3ZenchikuAll schools
Ō-yashiro
The Great Shrine
大社1YajiroKanze, Kongo, and Kita schools
Raiden
Thunder and Lightning (Kongo name: Tsumado)
雷電; Hosho: 来殿5MiyamasuKanze, Hosho, and Kita schools
Rashōmon羅生門5KojiroKanze, Hosho, Kongo, and Kita schools
Rinzō
The Revolving Sutra Case
輪蔵1YajiroKanze and Kita schools
Rō-taiko
The Prison Drum
籠太鼓4ZeamiAll schools
Rō Giō
Prison Giō
籠祇王3Kanze Motomasa?
Ryōko
The Dragon and the Tiger
龍虎5KojiroKanze and Kita schools
Sagi
The Heron
4ZeamiKanze, Hosho, Kongo, and Kita schools
Saigyōzakura
Saigyō's and the Cherry Blossom
西行桜4ZeamiAll schools
Saka-hoko
The Spear of the Gods
逆鉾1MiyamasuKanze school
Sakura-gawa
Cherry River
桜川4ZeamiAll schools
Sakurai-eki
The Post-town of Sakurai (earlier form of Kusu no Tsuru)
桜井(駅)4unknownAll schools
Sanemori 実盛2ZeamiAll schools
Sanshō
Laughter Among the Sages
三笑4unknownKanze, Hosho, Kongo, and Kita schools
Sasaki佐々木?Heike (book 9)
Sao-yama佐保山1ZeamiAll schools
Seigan-ji誓願寺3ZeamiAll schools
Sei-ōbo
Hsi Wang Mu
西王母1ZeamiAll schools
Sekidera Komachi
Komachi at Sekidera Temple
関寺小町3ZeamiAll schools
Sekihara Yoichi関寺与市4unknownKita school
Semimaru蝉丸4ZeamiAll schools
Senju千手
or 千寿
3ZenchikuAll schools
Sesshōseki
The Death Rock
殺生石5Sa-amiAll schools
Settai
The Welcome
摂待4MiyamasuKanze, Hosho, Kongo, and Kita schools
Shakkyō
The Stone Bridge
石橋5MotomasaAll schools
Shari
The Bones of the Buddha
舎利5ZeamiAll schools
Shichiki-ochi
Seven Escape
七騎落4All schools
Shiga志賀1ZeamiKanze, Hosho, Kongo, and Kita schools
Shigehira
=Kasa sotoba
重衡2unknown
Shigemori重盛4bangai kyoku
Shikiji monogurui敷地物狂4bangai kyoku
Shikimi tengu
Goblins among the Flowers
樒天狗?unknown
Shirahige白髭1Kan-amiKanze, Comparu, and Kita schools
Shironushi代主1ZeamiKanze school
Shōjō
The Tippling Elf
猩々5unknownAll schools
Shō-ki鍾馗5ZeamiAll schools
(Ō) Shōkun
Wang Zhaojun
(王)昭君5Komparu Gon-no-kamiAll schools
Shōzon正尊4YajiroKanze, Hosho, Kongo, and Kita schools
Shunkan
Kita name: Kikaigashima
俊寛
or 鬼界島
4ZeamiAll schools
Shun-ei春栄4ZeamiAll schools
Shunzei Tadanori
Shunzei and Tadanori
俊成忠度2Naitō TozaemonKanze, Hosho, Kongo, and Kita schools
Sonoda園田??
Sōshi-arai Komachi
Komachi and the Forget Entry
草紙洗(小町)3Kan-amiAll schools
Sotoba Komachi
Komachi and Sotoba
卒都婆小町4Kan-amiAll schools
Suma Genji
Prince Genji's Exile in Suma
須磨源氏5ZeamiKanze, Hosho, Kongo, and Kita schools
Sumida-gawa
The Sumida River
隅田川
or 角田川
4MotomasaAll schools
Sumiyoshi mōde
The Pilgrimage to Sumiyoshi
住吉詣3unknownKanze, Kongo, and Kita schools
Sumizomezakura墨染桜3unknown
Tadanobu忠信4ZenchikuKanze and Hosho schools
Tadanori忠度2ZeamiAll schools
Taema 当麻5ZeamiAll schools
Taihei shōjō
The Tippling Elves and the Vat of Wine
大瓶猩々5unknownKanze school
Taisampukun
Archdemon Taisan
泰山府君5ZeamiKongo school
Taisei Taishi太施太子
or 泰世太子
?Nobumitsu
bangai kyoku
Taiten大典1???
Takasago/Aioi
Growing Old Together
高砂
or 相老
1ZeamiAll schools
Take no yuki
Snow on the Bamboo
竹雪4ZeamiHosho and Kita schools
Tama-kazura
The Jeweled Chaplet
玉葛
or 玉鬘
4ZenchikuAll schools
Tama-no-i
Jewelled Well
玉井1KojiroKanze, Kongo, and Kita schools
Tamura田村2ZeamiAll schools
Tango monogurui
The Madman of Tango
丹後物狂4Iami, rev. Zeami
bangai kyoku
Tanikō
Burial Alive
谷行5ZenchikuAll schools
Tankai湛海4unknown
Tatsuta龍田
or 竜田
4ZenchikuAll schools
Teika定家3ZeamiAll schools
Tenko
The Drum from Heaven
天鼓4ZeamiAll schools
Tōboku
The Northeastern Hall
東北3ZeamiAll schools
Tōbō-saku東方朔1 Komparu Zenpō Kanze, Komparu, and Kita schools
Tōei藤永
or 藤栄
4ZeamiHosho, Komparu, Kongo, and Kita schools
Tōgan koji東岸居士4ZeamiKanze, Hosho, Kongo, and Kita schools
Tokusa
Scouring Rushes
木賊4ZeamiKanze, Hosho, Kongo, and Kita schools
Tomoakira知章2ZeamiKanze, Komparu, Kongo, and Kita schools
Tomoe2ZeamiAll schools
Tomonaga朝長2ZeamiAll schools
Tori-oi-bune
The Bird-scarers (Hosho name: Tori-oi)
鳥追(舟)4Kongo YataroAll schools
Tōru
=Shiogama
or
塩釜
5ZeamiAll schools
Tōsen
The Chinese ship
唐船4Tobi MatagoroAll schools
Tsuchi-gumo
The Ground-spider
土蜘蛛5unknownAll schools
Tsuchi guruma
The Barrow
土車5ZeamiKanze and Kita schools
Tsunemasa経政
or 経正
2ZeamiAll schools
Tsurugoaka鶴岡?bangai kyoku
Tsurukame
=Kita name: Gekkyūden
The Crane and Tortoise
鶴亀 or
月宮殿
1unknownAll schools
U no matsuri
Cormorant Festival
鵜祭1unknown
Uchito mōde
The Pilgrimage to Ise Shrines
内外詣1Kongō NagayoriKongo school
Ugetsu
The Moon and the Rain
雨月4ZenchikuAll schools
Ukai
The Cormorant Fisher
鵜飼5Enami no SaemonAll schools
Ukifune
A Drifting Boat
浮舟4Yoko-o MotohisaKanze, Komparu, Kongo, and Kita schools
Ukon右近1ZeamiKanze, Hosho, and Kongo schools
Ume3Kanze MotoakiraKanze school
Ume-ga-e
The Plum Branch
梅枝4ZeamiAll schools
Uneme
The Lady-in-Waiting
釆女3ZeamiAll schools
U-no-Matsuri
The Cormorant Festival
(kanji)1Komparu school
Unrin'in
Unrin Temple
雲林院4ZeamiKanze, Hosho, Kongo, and Kita schools
Urashima浦島1Kanze Miyamasu
Uroko-gata
The Snake=scale Banner
鱗形1unknownKongo and Kita schools
Uta-ura
The Soothsayer
歌占4MotomasaAll schools
Utō
Birds of Sorrow
善知鳥4ZeamiAll schools
Utsusemi
The Cicada's Shell
空蝉?bangai kyoku
Yamamba
The Old Woman of the Hills
山姥5ZeamiAll schools
Yashima
=Yoshitsune
The Battle of Yashima
八島
or 屋島
or 義経
2ZeamiAll schools
Yō-kihi
Everlasting Sorrow
楊貴妃3ZenchikuAll schools
Yorimasa頼政2ZeamiAll schools
Yōrō
The Care of the Aged
養老1ZeamiAll schools
Yoro-boshi
The Priest With the Faltering Tread
弱法師4MotomasaAll schools
Yoshino Shizuka
Shizuka in Yoshino
吉野静3Kan'amiAll schools
Yoshino Tennin
The Goddess at Yoshino
吉野天人3KojiroKanze school
Yo-uchi Soga
The Soga Brother's Attach at Night
夜討曽我4MiyamasuAll schools
Yūgao
Evening Faces
夕顔3ZeamiKanze, Kongo, and Kita schools
Yugyō Yanagi
The Priest and the Willow
遊行柳3KojiroAll schools
Yuki
Snow
3unknownKongo school
Yumi Yawata
The Bow ad the Hachiman Shrine
弓八幡1ZeamiAll schools
Yuya熊野
or 湯谷
3ZeamiAll schools
Zegai善界,是界
or 是我意
5Takeda HoinAll schools
Zenji Soga
The Priest Soga
禅師曽我
or 禅師曾我
4unknownKanze, Hosho, and Kita schools

Further reading

References

  1. Watson, Michael. "noh translations". Meiji Gakuin University. Retrieved December 5, 2021. All 253 plays in the repertoire of the five schools have been included
  2. "Noh translations". www.meijigakuin.ac.jp.
  3. PG, O'Neil (1954). A Guide to No. Hinoki Shoten.