Which of the following greatly influenced the Japanese Noh play?

• A. Buddhism
• B. Confucianism
• C. Taoism
• D. Shintoism

Answer: (D)

Shinto beliefs shape Noh through its strong emphasis on ritual, sacred space, and contact with the divine. Noh grew out of Shinto kagura dances offered to the kami, the spirits believed to inhabit nature and ancestors. This connection shows up in the ceremonial purification that precedes a performance, the use of masks to suggest a spirit speaking through the actor, and the restrained, contemplative movements that convey a sense of presence beyond ordinary life. The overall atmosphere—simple, austere, and attentive to nature and the spiritual world—reflects Shinto ideas about the sacred in everyday surroundings. While other traditions have influenced Noh in various ways, the Shinto roots most deeply shape its form and mood.