Noh plays invite us to witness and experience the salvation of souls. The Japanese-born performing art, Noh combines dance, drama, music and poetry influenced by Zen philosophy. With a 600-year history, it is the world’s oldest performing art and designated an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. Beautifully photographed with thirty Noh stories selected from among the few hundred stories still performed throughout Japan today, this volume pursues the subtle, profound aesthetics and visionary qualities of Noh.

Kazuya Takaoka, a graphic designer, has received many outstanding awards, including the Gold Medal at the Japan Graphic Design Exhibition and the Gourmond World Cookbook Award for Best Cookbook Design. Mutsuo Takahashi is a poet and dramatist. His genre-straddling activities include the creation of modern and traditional poems and novels. He was awarded the Medal with Purple Ribbon in 2000. Toshiro Morita, a member of Japan Professional Photographers Society, worked at a preparatory office of National Theatre from 1966 through 2002.