Research Background

The Tale of Genji, written in the early 11th century by Murasaki Shikibu, is often regarded as the foundation of Japanese aesthetics and narrative art. Its delicate portrayal of emotion, impermanence, and human relationships has inspired countless artistic interpretations throughout history.

Among these, Noh theatre stands out as one of the most profound visual and performative reimaginings of Genji. Emerging during the Muromachi period, Noh transformed literary emotion into a highly symbolic visual language — expressed through masks, costumes, movement, and silence.

This project explores how The Tale of Genji’s subtle emotional world — particularly themes of jealousy, memory, and longing — is reinterpreted through Noh’s visual and performative traditions. It seeks to reveal how these two classical art forms together create a bridge between literature, performance, and visual culture in Japan.