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Oh Noh! Trivia Quiz

Welcome to a quiz about Noh, a time-honored form of Japanese traditional theater.

A multiple-choice quiz by Pegbshack. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
Pegbshack

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
356,678

Updated
Jul 23 22

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
330

Question 1 of 10

1. The word "noh" is based on a Japanese word meaning which of the following? Hint

art/mask

talent/skill

future/past

life/death

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Question 2 of 10

2. Noh is also referred to as which of the following? Hint

Nogaku

Nokami

Nohana

Nomaru

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Question 3 of 10

3. There are four dominant forms of classical Japanese theater: Noh, Kabuki, Bunraku, and which of the following? Hint

Chanoyu

Ikebana

Kyogen

Hanafuda

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Question 4 of 10

4. Which of the following theater forms is closely associated with a Noh performance? Hint

Kyogen

Kabuki

Bunraku

Mochitsuki

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Question 5 of 10

5. According to protocol, the Noh performers rehearse together how many times? Hint

two

four

three

one

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Question 6 of 10

6. There are the four primary categories of Noh roles: shite, waki, kyogen, and which of the following? Hint

tsure

hayashi

koken

kaze

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Question 7 of 10

7. The instrumental section of Noh theater consists of four instruments: the traverse flute, hip drum, shoulder drum and which of the following? Hint

koto

stick drum

shamisen

gong

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Question 8 of 10

8. Noh masks are usually carved from what type of wood? Hint

Japanese cypress

Japanese elm

Japanese maple

Japanese pine

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Question 9 of 10

9. Which stage prop is used by all Noh performers? Hint

geta

fan

mask

sword

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Question 10 of 10

10. Noh theater music is composed of which of the following? Hint

chorus and hayashi

chorus only

hayashi only

hayashi and koken

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The word "noh" is based on a Japanese word meaning which of the following?

Answer: talent/skill

Noh translates to the words "talent", "ability", and "skill".

2. Noh is also referred to as which of the following?

Answer: Nogaku

Nogaku roughly translates to no (drama or ability) + gaku (music or learning).

Kami means spirit. Hana can mean flower, blossom, or nose. Maru means round or circle.

3. There are four dominant forms of classical Japanese theater: Noh, Kabuki, Bunraku, and which of the following?

Answer: Kyogen

Noh is drama theater with actors using masks and props. Kyogen is comic theater. Kabuki is highly stylized drama theater with actors wearing extravagant make-up. Bunraku is puppet theater.

Ikebana is the art of flower-arranging. Hanafuda is a flower card game. Chanoyu is the Japanese tea ceremony.

4. Which of the following theater forms is closely associated with a Noh performance?

Answer: Kyogen

Kyogen is usually performed along with the Noh play, occasionally serving as an intermission between Noh acts. It also provides comedic balance to Noh's formal themes.

Mochitsuki is the traditional mochi (rice cakes) pounding ceremony.

5. According to protocol, the Noh performers rehearse together how many times?

Answer: one

By rehearsing only once, the Noh performance could embody the ancient Japanese art philosophy of ephemerality and transience, as cited in the Japanese term "ichi-go ichi-e".

"Ichi-go ichi-e" translates to "one time (or chance), one meeting".

6. There are the four primary categories of Noh roles: shite, waki, kyogen, and which of the following?

Answer: hayashi

Shite is the protagonist. Waki is usually the shite's foil or supporting cast. Kyogen are the comedic actors who also perform during Noh intermission. Hayashi are the instrumentalists.

Tsure is the shite's companion, but is a secondary role in Noh theater. The koken are the stage attendants. Kaze translates to wind or cold.

7. The instrumental section of Noh theater consists of four instruments: the traverse flute, hip drum, shoulder drum and which of the following?

Answer: stick drum

The transverse flute used for Noh is called nohkan or fue. The three drums played in Noh theater are known as okawa or otsuzumi (hip drum), kotsuzumi (shoulder drum), and taiko (stick drum).

The koto and shamisen are Japanese stringed instruments.

8. Noh masks are usually carved from what type of wood?

Answer: Japanese cypress

Japanese cypress is also known as "hinoki". It is considered a superior timber in Japan.

The masks are usually only worn by the protagonist (shite). Sometimes, the shite's companion (tsure) may also wear a mask.

9. Which stage prop is used by all Noh performers?

Answer: fan

The fan is carried by all performers. The fan is usually used to represent hand-held props, especially during dance sequences. The mask is usually restricted to the shite and tsure. Geta are Japanese wooden clogs.

10. Noh theater music is composed of which of the following?

Answer: chorus and hayashi

The chorus perform chant accompaniment. Noh hayashi ensemble consists of three drummers and a nohkan flutist. Koken are Noh stagehands.

Source: Author Pegbshack

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor LadyCaitriona before going online.
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