Nō (sometimes Romanized as “Noh”) is one of Japan’s oldest theatrical forms, and the oldest form of traditional theater still being regularly practiced today. Nō plays involve masked lead and supporting actors, a chorus, and accompaniment by flutes and drums; the stories are based on Japanese legends and histories (popular subjects for drama around the world) and often feature a “transformation” of the lead actor between the first and second acts. At 440 years old, the nō stage at Itsukushima Jinja (Shrine) on Miyajima Island (Hiroshima Prefecture) is one of the oldest in Japan:
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A Visit to Itsukushima Shrine – Miyajima, Japan (Part 1)
Last summer’s research trip to Japan took me all the way to Miyajima Island (sometimes also known as Itsukushima, after the shrine that sits on its shore), where I spent two memorable days and a wonderful night exploring one of Japan’s most beautiful and iconic islands.
Read moreMount Mizen, Biting Flies, and Sacred Deer
During last summer’s research trip to Japan, we spent the night on Miyajima, a sacred island off the coast of Hiroshima. The island is home to Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines (specifically, Itsukushima, whose Grand Torii gate is one of Japan’s most iconic images) The deer wander the island unimpeded, many so tame (and used to handouts) that they approach or follow visitors, begging for food or a scratch behind the ears. Signs on the island warn visitors that the deer are wild, and ask people not to feed them, but it’s clear the deer don’t read the signs, and they hope the people don’t read them either.
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