A Japanese theater drama featuring actors wearing Noh Masks can be summed up in one word: mysterious. As a viewer watches the slow movements of the Noh Masked actors, he or she becomes aware that the expression of each mask seems to be changing from moment to moment. This is just part of the strange appeal of theater with Japanese Noh Masks. An exploration of the Noh Mask's long history reveals how it developed as well as some unique secrets about the power of an actor who wears one.

The presence of the Noh Mask in Japanese theater goes all the way back to the fourteenth century. According to the information found at, The Japanese Noh Mask and Its History, Noh Mask Theater evolved from early forms of mime and dance. An actor wearing a Noh Mask in a Japanese theater drama chants his words while flutes or drums play in the background. The article goes on to explain that these productions have very few props. The concentration is on the actors' movements, the Noh Masks, and the elaborate costumes. The connection of the actors to the audience is of the utmost importance and anything distracting from that is unwelcome.

For more information on the history of Japanese Noh Mask theater please visit:

• The Beginnings of the Noh Mask: Travel here and you'll read about the evolving styles of Japanese Noh Mask theater since its creation.

• Facts on the Japanese Noh Mask: Learn here about the beginnings of Noh Mask theater.

• The Components of Noh Mask Theater: Read here about the staging of a Noh Mask drama and other elements of a production.

• The Multiple Functions of Noh Masks: The information collected here explains the role of the Noh Mask in a drama.

• Noh Mask Theater: Then and Now: A concise description of Noh Mask drama, and what is involved in a production.

Visit Illusions of the Noh Mask, and you'll learn that a talented actor wearing a Noh Mask in the performance of a drama can convince an audience member that the mask he is wearing is actually changing its expression. The Noh Mask is constructed with special characteristics that are designed to give the illusion of a changing expression each time the actor moves his head. For example, there is a great illustration included in the aforementioned article showing how the contours of the Noh Mask's mouth are exaggerated to create different emotions as the actor subtly tilts his head on stage. In addition, the strange overall shape of the Noh Mask contributes to the illusion of an actor's swiftly changing emotions.

At, Emotions of a Noh Mask Explained, there is a scientific explanation for the illusions created for an audience member by a Noh Mask. The article contends that the emotion displayed by the mask changes with the vertical positioning of an actor's head. In the end, the changing array of emotions offered by the actor in the Noh Mask only adds to the overall intriguing quality of the drama.

To see a variety of Japanese Noh masks and learn more about them, travel to:

• The Different Faces of Noh Masks: Learn here about the different sorts of personalities represented by these Noh Masks.

• Noh Masks and Their History in Japan : Visit here and read about the Noh Masks of Japan, including what materials they were made of.

• The Types of Theater Using Noh Masks: Photographs of theater productions featuring actors in Noh Masks, accompanied by descriptions can be found here.

• Theories on the Noh Mask: A unique understanding of the Noh Mask is discussed here including how an actor must approach his role before putting on the mask.

• A Variety of Noh Masks: Here is an abundant collection of interesting Noh Masks to view.

• The Categories of Noh Masks: Read about the characteristics of the Noh Mask and the wide range of masks that represent the different characters in a theatrical production.

• Noh Masks Worn During Performances: Several examples of Noh Masks used during theatrical performances can be viewed here.

A Japanese theater drama featuring actors in Noh Masks is sure to hold your attention and keep you guessing about the conclusion of the drama.