1. Origins: Noh theatre developed during the 14th century from diverse genres of performance such as dengaku, sarugaku, and kagura, and was largely influenced by Zen aesthetics and medieval cultural practices.
2. Masked Performances: One of the most distinctive features of Noh plays is the use of masks. Actors wears masks carved from cypress wood, which represent various characters, emotions, and supernatural being,
3. Musical Accompaniment: Noh performances are accompanied by music played on instruments like the Nohkan (a bamboo flute), Ko-tsuzumi (small hourglass-shaped drum), O-tsuzumi (large hourglass shaped drum), and a Taiko (large barrel drum).
4. Costuming: Noh theatre actors don extravagant costumes made of beautiful brocades, silks, and other fabrics, which symbolize their character's status and social positions.
5. Stages: Noh performances take place on a simple wooden stage called a 'butai', which is typically constructed with a roof supported by four pillars and has a symbolic pine tree at the centre.
6. Acting Techniques: Noh acting draws on the concept of 'jo-ha-kyu', a pattern of slow introduction, development, and climax. Movement and gestures are slow, controlled and highly stylized.
7. Kyogen Interludes: Noh plays are often interspaced with comic interludes called 'kyogen', which provide a light-hearted contrast to the serious Noh plays and offer comic relief.
8. Storytelling: Noh plays often tell stories based on tales from Japanese history, folklore, and mythology, exploring themes of love, nature, mortality and the search for enlightments
9. Symbolism and Aesthetics: Noh theatre places great emphasis on symbolism, with actors often representing archetypes or abstract concepts, and the visual elements on stage carrying deeper meanings.
10. UNESCO Recognition: In 2008, UNESCO designated Noh theatre as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, highlighting its exceptional contribution to world cultural diversity.