Online dictionary of history and traditions in Japan: Nomen

This is the online Japanese dictionary developed by Free Light Software. With our tool, you can find easily an equivalent Japanese word from English, or send queries to Japanese search engines without knowing Japanese translation. Click on a Japanese word to browse in Japanese search engines. Click on a globe icon to find the position of a locality on Japanese map (maybe take a few seconds to display). The dictionary of Japanese general terms is available at Online Japanese dictionary.

French version

Noh mask

能面
alternative words: Nomen, Noumen, No men, Nou men
keywords: theater
related topics: Noh , Sarugaku , Muromachi period , Sengoku period
related web sites: http://nohmask21.com , http://www.nohmask.net , http://www1.odn.ne.jp/noh-masks/ , http://www.geocities.jp/fukuyama_gensei/
explanation: Masks used in Noh drama. Made with woods, mostly "hinoki" (Japanese cypress), its size is little smaller than an average adult face. Originated from masks of sarugaku during Muromachi period, initially there was a proliferation of free expressions, then standardized during late Sengoku period to about 200 varieties. They are classified according to characters: young woman, handsome man, old man, revengeful ghost, demon. Some masks can give different expressions by changing the inclination.