Noh Plays

Noh Plays have been performed since the 14th century, and are a dramatic form. The form embodies Ma in the form of improvisation, as the actors have to embody the idea of "no-mind", allowing themselves to be unpredictable to the audience, their co actors, and themselves (Kono, 2019). This is also seen in the musicality form from Noh plays, as the music is integral to the singing and transitions between scenes (Kono, 2019). This allows each performance to create space for Ma, and embody the essence of creating space and filling it when appropriate. One way to understand the significance and importance of this in the context of Japanese culture is to look at Joan Gross and her book "Speaking In Other Voices". Gross makes the connection of puppeteers to written and oral language, and explains that there is no written language without oral language, and the two are overarching (Gross, 2001). Essentially, this connection evolves together. As Japanese calligraphy and Noh plays evolve, they do so together, with the same underlying concept of Ma created by the culture of Japan.