Antiche tradizioni e floride variazioni: la diffusione del teatro nō nelle province tra i periodi Muromachi e Edo

Five variations of Nō theatre called Regional or Provincial Nō were born between late Muromachi and Edo periods departing from Zeami’ style and the five major schools. Over the centuries they were inherited by farmers, villagers and townspeople in the Shōnai and Kaetsu regions as well as in Sado island and soon became central to their cultures. Furthermore, these traditions are preserved and performed even today during festivals by the locals and not professional actors. Their performances differ from the Nō Theatre usually known but are fascinating due the presence of old performative elements. This study aims to analyse the causes that led to the spread of Nō Theatre from Kyōto and Edo to the provinces and to understand through legends and documents the uprise of regional Nō, focusing on Kurokawa Nō, Yamato Nō, Matsuyama Nō, Ōsudo Nō and Sado Nō in Yamagata and Niigata prefectures.