Noh theatre in Edo period: elite art and mass audience

Abstract

This article depicts different forms of Noh theatre in Japanese culture of Edo period (1603-1868). The emphasis is placed on the description and disclosure of the value of the sanctioned by bakufu large-scale Noh performances, which representatives of all the classes of the city dwellers were expected to attend. Firstly the meaning putted by government officials to such performances is disclosed; then some evidences of witnesses and analysis of evaluation of Noh theater art by mass audience are presented.