Zeami

Zeami Motokiyo, usually known simply as Zeami, was a Japanese actor, playwright, and theorist whose work shaped the classical form and aesthetics of Noh theater. Born circa 1363, he was the son of the influential Noh performer Kan’ami and collaborated with his father before assuming leadership of the family troupe. During the Muromachi period, Zeami helped elevate Noh from a popular masked drama into a refined, courtly art form supported by the Ashikaga shogunate. He wrote and staged numerous plays and, through his theoretical writings, codified techniques and principles that defined Noh for generations.

Zeami’s most enduring contribution is Kadensho (The Book of the Flower), a comprehensive treatise on performance and aesthetics. In Kadensho he articulates key concepts such as yūgen, the elusive beauty and depth that evoke feeling beyond literal representation, and ki, the inner life or spirit that the actor must project. He also emphasized disciplined training, the importance of subtle gesture and movement, and the cultivation of presence over flashy display. The idea of jo-ha-kyū, describing a deliberate opening, development, and brisk conclusion in performance, is commonly associated with his theory, helping to structure Noh pacing and dramatic progression.

Legacy and influence: Zeami’s writings and plays established the framework for the Noh repertoire and acting technique, influencing both practitioners and scholars for centuries. He is widely regarded as the founder of the classical Noh tradition and a foundational theorist of Japanese drama. Zeami’s work continues to be studied as a primary source for understanding Noh aesthetics, technique, and the historical development of Japanese theatre. He is traditionally dated to have died in 1443.