Nō and kyōgen theatre are among the longest continuously staged dramatic forms in the world and are deeply connected to Japanese arts, culture, society, and history. This richly illustrated two-volume set brings together the important elements of these traditions to offer new insights, with contributions by Japanese and non-Japanese experts from a broad range of disciplines. It represents the most ambitious and exhaustive exploration of nō and kyōgen to date, and is an invaluable resource for both scholars and enthusiasts. (This is volume1 out of 2).