Question and Answer

 What is the difference of “noh-kan” (Noh flutes) from other flutes or pipes?

Noh music is played by several percussion instruments and cross flutes called “noh-kan.” Noh-kan is the only instrument that makes melodies for the stage. It sounds very different from European flutes or other Japanese ones. The difference is made by its unique structure.

The length of the bamboo flute is generally about 40 cm, although there is no strict rule of the measurement. The lacquered exterior has a touch of beautiful craftwork, and the interior also has several layers of lacquer. It is believed that the manufacturing influences the acoustic quality of the flute. There are some variations for which bamboos are split vertically and reassembled to put the smooth hard surface inside.

The biggest difference of no-kan from other flutes maybe the difficulty of execution. There is a small bamboo tube called “nodo” (throat) embedded inside near the mouthpiece. You cannot play higher notes unless you blow strongly. Each instrument has its own notes, which cannot be measured by the modern musical scale.

How do they note the unique tones from no-kan? There is a kind of musical scores called “shōga”. The score shows us the sound of the tones in Japanese phonetic characters, something like “ohyai-hyowoi-hyaa-liuhi.” It is marvellous that the tune would sound like above, even if it is played by a different instrument with different sound.

Together with the other percussions, the unique sound from noh-kan creates unusual strain in the Noh theatre. The highest tone called “hishigi” (crush) has a special acoustic effect that shakes our souls. It may symbolise the spiritual and mysterious aspects of Noh.

(Sep 8, 2008)

Question 39 | Question 41

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• Question 162Were there models for Noh masks?
• Question 161How many kinds of Noh mask are there?
• Question 160What is the record number of performances in one day?
• Question 159Does the idiomatic phrase “Iza Kamakura” come from Noh?
• Question 158Why is “Taiten” performed only at the time of an era-name change?
• Question 157What is the play in which real instruments appear?
• Question 156Why is the Hōshō school known as “Utai Hōshō”?
• Question 155Which place has produced many Noh mask makers?
• Question 154Who was the rival of Kan’ami and Zeami?
• Question 153Are there any everyday terms that originate in Noh?
• Question 152Did samurai “Noh fanatics” sometimes go too far?
• Question 151Are there any unusual Noh theatres?
• Question 150What is karagoto?
• Question 149Was there a Noh stage in Edo Castle?
• Question 148Is it possible to learn Noh performance for personal interest?
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• Question 146What kind of plays are suitable for old actors?
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• Question 144Why do singers put their fans in front of their knees?
• Question 143A Noh version of the Ninth Symphony?
• Question 142Which pieces are recommended for beginners?
• Question 141Are there two spaces on the Noh stage?
• Question 140Which performing arts has Noh influenced?
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• Question 138Do you need any qualifications to become a Noh performer?
• Question 137Why is the back panel called kagami-ita?
• Question 136Has anyone from a Noh family been outstanding in another field?
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• Question 132What role does the fan play in Noh performance?
• Question 131Does the bell in "Dōjōji" really exist?
• Question 130Tell us about unique Noh plays surviving in rural areas.
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• Question 128What sort of a play is “Utsubo-zaru,” which features a juvenile role?
• Question 127What are the origins of the designs of kendai?
• Question 126How are costumes used for many years cared for?
• Question 125How do tsure and waki actors choose their costumes?
• Question 124What are the design rules for Noh fans?
• Question 123Was Natsume Soseki a Noh lover?
• Question 122Which kyōgen piece is based on a French conte?
• Question 121How do you hang the big bell for “Dōjōji”?
• Question 120What is the link between “Yoroboshi” and Shitennō-ji?
• Question 119Was Ii Naosuke a Noh/Kyogen playwright?
• Question 118Who was the actor-turned-daimyō of the Edo Period?
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• Question 116How did Noh become a ceremonial performance for the Edo Shogunate?
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• Question 112Was author Izumi Kyōka from the family of a Noh performer?
• Question 111Which Japanese films show the influence of Noh?
• Question 110Does each school have its own design patterns for the fans?
• Question 109Why are Tenkawa shrine and Noh closely connected?
• Question 108What role did koutai play in terakoya in the Edo period?
• Question 107Do the costumes vary with the pieces being performed?
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• Question 104What new pieces were performed by Hideyoshi?
• Question 103Which military commander was a drum virtuoso?
• Question 102What kind of people partonized Noh performers in the Warring States period?
• Question 101Did Zeami finally manage to return to Kyoto?
• Question 100What kind of relationship exists between shoulder drums and hip drums?
• Question 99What are some benefits of Noh vocalization?
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• Question 95What is Kanjin-no?
• Question 94Is the running time for a Noh play today the same it was in olden times?
• Question 93When did overseas Noh performances begin?
• Question 92Why are there many Noh stages on Sado Island?
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• Question 90Does the Noh stage have a flat surface?
• Question 89Are the Japanese socks specially designed for the Noh performance?
• Question 88Are Noh performers all-rounders?
• Question 87Are there any solo performances by Noh musicians?
• Question 86Why go to su-utai?
• Question 85Is nakairi an interval?
• Question 84What special way is the small tabor played in Dojoji
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• Question 80What kind of place is the setting for Utou?
• Question 79Is an ad lib a result of the performance?
• Question 78Is there a play in which the audience takes a part?
• Question 77Why do actors stand still for such a long time?
• Question 76What is the voice from behind the curtain?
• Question 75How many plays are performed?
• Question 74Do actors always change their costumes at the same moment?
• Question 73Why do musicians call out?
• Question 72What are the basic sounds of the small tabor?
• Question 71Is a drum always involved in the music?
• Question 70How much preparation time is needed for the large tabor?
• Question 69How many times does the call bell ring?
• Question 68What is the basic tone in Noh music?
• Question 67What does "komi" mean in the Noh world?
• Question 66Who is watched at the beginning of the performance?
• Question 65What kind of characters appear in Noh?
• Question 64How many fue (flutes) does a fuekata (flute player) have in a lifetime?
• Question 63Are koutai a way to understand Noh more quickly?
• Question 62Is there a third passageway in on a Noh stage?
• Question 61Are Noh performances always the same?
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• Question 59What is meant by iroiri when discussing Noh costumes?
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• Question 54Who is in charge of dressing the leading actors?
• Question 53Was Sharaku, a great ukiyo-e master, also a Noh actor?
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• Question 51Who is the "overseer" of the stage?
• Question 50Which side of the stage ranks higher, right or left?
• Question 49Why do kotsuzumi players lick their finger on stage?
• Question 48Is it true that performers wear two masks one over another?
• Question 47What kinds of props are used for Noh plays?
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• Question 44Can Noh actors wear glasses on stage?
• Question 43Is there any influence of “Shōmyō” upon Noh chanting?
• Question 42Why do supporting actors not wear masks?
• Question 41Is haori half-coat not used on the Noh stage?
• Question 40What is the difference of “noh-kan” (Noh flutes) from other flutes or pipes?
• Question 39What is “Okina”, the piece classified in Noh, but not a genuine Noh play?
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• Question 36What do the pillars around the Noh stage signify?
• Question 35Is there any special technique in making female masks?
• Question 34How do you operate the entrance curtain?
• Question 33Do Zeami’s manuscripts exist today?
• Question 32How do they start the torchlights used for outdoor performances?
• Question 31When did kagami-ita, the symbol of the Noh theatre, first appear?
• Question 30In what period did books of Noh chants become popular publications?
• Question 29Is Takigi-noh performed even if it rains?
• Question 28What is Hakama-noh?
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• Question 25Can a woman become a Noh performer?
• Question 24Is there any special aspect in a Noh actor's folding fan?
• Question 23Do actors ever fall from the stage?
• Question 22How heavy is a Noh costume?
• Question 21Which Noh stages are designated as national treasures?
• Question 20Is it true that there is no stage director for Noh plays?
• Question 19Is it true that Noh music does not have definite tonality?
• Question 18Why is the art called Noh?
• Question 17When and how was the first independent Noh theatre created?
• Question 16Why is the entrance curtain multicoloured?
• Question 15Why are Noh masks so small?
• Question 14 Nessun dorma, signore e signori!sun dorma, signore e signori!
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• Question 12Where can I find the best position in the auditorium?
• Question 11How long will "new pieces" remain new?
• Question 10Is hand clapping necessary for Noh programs?
• Question 9Why are Noh performers still active in their seventies?
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• Question 7What kinds of wigs are used in Noh plays?
• Question 6What kind of roles are played as kokata (juvenile actor) ?
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• Question 4Is the gangway bridge the same as the runway of Kabuki?
• Question 3Is it true that jars under the floor improve the acoustic effects?
• Question 2Noh and Kyogen, which is older?
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