Noh was an art form performed exclusively by men, with its traditions deeply rooted in a patriarchal lineage. However, since the 1940s, the daughters of esteemed Noh actors have begun stepping onto the stage, gradually reshaping the landscape of this ancient theatrical practice. As one of Japan’s most profound classical theater forms, Noh transcends mere performance; it is a ritual, a meditation on impermanence, and an embodiment of the interplay between tradition and transformation. The presence of women in this sacred space challenges the long-held notions of artistic inheritance.
